Illegal Dumping & Graffiti Removal

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Maintaining Welcoming Spaces

Illegal dumping, litter, vehicle abandonment, and graffiti create unwelcome public environments that can become unsafe for the residents and visitors of St. Pete. 

Illegal Dumping

It is illegal to dump trash, construction debris, furniture, or appliances in St. Pete alleys. There is a minimum $500 fine for illegal dumping. Violators can be reported to the St. Petersburg Police Tip Line at 727-892-5000, 24 hours a day. Call 727-893-7398 to schedule free pickup of old furniture and appliances (up to four pieces).

Graffiti Removal 

The City, in partnership with City Codes Enforcement and the St. Petersburg Police Department, is committed to effectively preventing and removing graffiti. Placing graffiti on public or private property is a crime. The City photographs and documents all graffiti cases in a database, which is shared with the SPPD for arrest or/and restitution action. If graffiti is seen in the public right of way or on private property, the City has four points of contact for reporting graffiti in the following order:

  • Report an Issue through SeeClickFix or by calling 727-893-7111 
  • Graffiti Abatement at 727-893-7394
  • Sanitation Department Customer Service at 727-893-7398
  • Code Enforcement at 727-893-7373

Responsibilities of Property Owners

Per Ordinance, Sec. 19-65, property owners are responsible for removing graffiti. It shall be unlawful for any person owning property, acting as manager or agent for the owner of the property, or in possession or control of property to fail to remove or effectively obscure any graffiti upon such property.

Per Ordinance, Sec. 19-66, whenever the City becomes aware of the existence of graffiti on any property, the POD is authorized to remove the graffiti as set forth in this section after giving, or causing to be given, written notice to remove or effectively obscure such graffiti to the property owner, such property owners agent or manager, or any other person in possession or control of the property.

If a property owner chooses not to comply with the written notice, the City may exercise its lawful right to remove the graffiti. Any associated costs for graffiti removal will be assessed to the property owner.