Graffiti Removal

Graffiti, unfortunately, is a common urban crime that blights property and neighborhoods. Public Works is always ready to start cleaning up to help keep our city graffiti-free.

Graffiti Removal on Public Property

If you see graffiti on public property, call 3-1-1 and report it.

Graffiti Removal on Private Property

If graffiti is on your property and visible from a public right-of-way, such as street, sidewalk, or alley, the City will remove the graffiti free of charge. Just fill out the Consent to Enter and Release of Liability Agreement form*, sign, and mail to:

City of Richmond
Department of Public Works
900 E. Broad St., Room 704
Richmond, VA 23219

The way we remove the graffiti will depend on the surface and type of material used. Painted surfaces may require repainting and you may need to supply us with the paint. Unpainted surfaces like brick or concrete walls may be blasted with high pressure water/sand or water/baking soda.

Unfortunately there are some limitations:

• The removal processes can leave shadowing.
• The blasting process can etch the original surface.
• Repainting may require more than a one coat application.
• Either process is directed specifically at graffiti, not the entire structure.
• We are not professional painters or blasters.
• We reserve the right to refuse to remove graffiti from private property

Reporting Graffiti to Richmond Police

If you find graffiti on your personal property and think you may know who made it, please report it to the Richmond Police Department by calling 646-5100. This report can be made whether your property is visible from the public right-of-way or not.