2021 District of Columbia Code
Title 22 - Criminal Offenses and Penalties
Chapter 33 - Trespass; Injuries to Property
§ 22–3312.05. Definitions
For the purposes of §§ 22-3312.01 through 22-3312.05, the term:
(1) “Abate” means to effectively remove.
(2) Repealed.
(3) Repealed.
(4) “Graffiti” means an inscription, writing, drawing, marking, or design that is painted, sprayed, etched, scratched, or otherwise placed on structures, buildings, dwellings, statues, monuments, fences, vehicles, or other similar materials that are on public or private property without the consent of the owner, manager, or agent in charge of the property, and the graffiti is visible from a public right-of-way.
(5) “Graffiti material” means any aerosol can, bottle, spray device or other mechanism designed to dispense paint or a similar substance under pressure, indelible marker, paint stick, adhesive label, and engraving device capable of leaving a visible mark on a natural or man-made surface.
(6) “Minor” means a person less than 18 years of age.
(7) Repealed.
(8) Repealed.
(9) “Public or private property” shall include any building, bridge, fence or other structure, any street, alley, sidewalk, or other vehicular or pedestrian right-of-way, any article of street furniture, lamppost, bus shelter, newspaper box, or trash receptacle, any tree, rock, or other natural fixture, any utility or public service equipment, or any other personal property located outdoors, whether publicly or privately owned.
(10) “Sign” means a name, identification, description, display, or illustration which is affixed to, or represented directly or indirectly upon a building, structure, or piece of land and which directs attention to an object, product, place, activity, person, institution, organization, or business.
(Mar. 10, 1983, D.C. Law 4-203, § 1a; as added June 12, 2001, D.C. Law 13-309, § 2(a), 48 DCR 1613; Sept. 18, 2010, D.C. Law 18-219, § 13(b)(3), 57 DCR 4353.)
Effect of AmendmentsD.C. Law 18-219 repealed pars. (2), (3), (7), and (8).
Emergency LegislationFor temporary (90 day) amendment of section, see § 13(b)(3) of Anti-Graffiti Emergency Act of 2010 (D.C. Act 18-389, May 5, 2010, 57 DCR 4332).
