City of West Haven, CT Chapter 166 Paint, Spray

[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of West Haven 8-25-1986 by Ord. No. 244. Section 166-5 amended at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I. Other amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 166-1 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

GRAFFITI

Any letters, numbers, word or words, writing or inscription, symbol, drawings, carvings, etching or any other marking of any nature whatsoever which defaces, obliterates, covers, alters, damages or destroys the real or personal property of another.

MINOR

Any person under the age of 18 years of age.

PURCHASE

The act of obtaining an item for money from any retail establishment.

§ 166-2 Construal of provisions.

This chapter shall not be construed to prohibit easily removable chalk markings on the public sidewalks and streets used in connection with traditional children's games.

§ 166-3 Sale to minors.

A. No person shall sell or otherwise transfer any spray paint containers containing spray paint to a minor unless said minor is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at the time of purchase or transfer.

B. No minor shall, at the time of purchase of a spray paint container containing spray paint, knowingly furnish fraudulent evidence of majority, including but not limited to a motor vehicle operator's license, a registration certificate issued by the Selective Service, an identification card issued to members of the armed forces or any document issued by a federal, state or municipal government.

§ 166-4 Prohibited acts.

No person shall write, paint or place any paint, chalk or any other substance or substances or otherwise mark, scratch, carve or etch graffiti on the real or personal property of another, whether said real or personal property be publicly or privately owned, unless the owner of the property has specifically consented to the same prior to the commission of such act or acts.

§ 166-5 Penalties for offenses. [1]

A. Any person violating any provisions of this chapter, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $100 or by imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both.

B. Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall also have the responsibility for cleaning, repairing, painting or otherwise restoring the damaged property to the condition it was in prior to being damaged.

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code; see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I.