Everett proposes new civil penalties for graffiti violations

Published 1:30 am Thursday, August 7, 2025

EVERETT — Graffiti taggers may face new fines and restitution costs if a proposed ordinance sees approval from the Everett City Council.

At a council meeting Wednesday, city staff proposed the new ordinance that would make taggers liable for civil penalties on top of the city’s existing criminal code. Under current law, graffiti violations are a misdemeanor offense.

Adding the civil penalty would allow police to issue fines against taggers when they don’t have enough evidence to meet the burden of proof necessary for a criminal case, Everett Police Department Captain Tim Morgan said Wednesday. Civil offenses require only a “preponderance of the evidence” to issue an infraction, whereas criminal cases require the state to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Civil penalties also provide a diversion option away from criminal charges when it’s appropriate, Morgan said.

Graffiti taggers could be on the hook for a $250 fine as well as restitution costs, which would go toward cleaning the graffiti. Those who are unable to pay can instead be given community service, as long as that service goes toward removing graffiti, the ordinance reads.

At Wednesday’s meeting, members of the council also floated the idea of building “free walls,” structures the city would build to allow graffiti artists to utilize a surface without damaging private property. Some cities like Redmond have put those in place to create a dedicated space for graffiti taggers to use.

The council is expected to vote on the ordinance on Aug. 20.

Will Geschke: 425-339-3443; william.geschke@heraldnet.com; X: @willgeschke.