WHEREAS the aesthetics of cities are important for promoting civic pride and a sense of community; AND WHEREAS unattended graffiti on utility boxes and utility poles as well as litter along third party right of ways can have a negative impact on the aesthetics of a community: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province provide local governments with the means to enforce clean up of graffiti and litter in a timely manner by utility companies, corporations, agencies and any other entity holding property within the boundaries of a local government.
Ministry of Community Rural Development The Ministry of Community and Rural Development recognizes the value of local aesthetics for communities and appreciates the difficulties in managing graffiti and other nuisances. To this end, municipal councils are empowered by the Community Charter to address such issues within their communities. Municipalities currently have the broad authority, by bylaw, to regulate, prohibit and impose requirements for the protection and enhancement of the well-being of their communities in relation to nuisances, disturbances and other objectionable situations Community Charter, s. 8 3 h. Graffiti and unsightly conditions on property are specified within this sphere of authority Community Charter, s. 64 k. If a municipality passes a bylaw that requires a property owner to do something i.e. require them to keep their property clear of graffiti, and if that property owner fails to take action, the municipality may do so in their place. Section 17 of the Community Charter provides that a municipality may recover the cost of taking that action as a debt. For work done in relation to land or improvements such as graffiti removal, the municipality may recover that amount in the same manner and with the same remedies as property taxes.