Utah statute

Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-107 — Defacement by graffiti defined - Penalties - Removal costs - Reimbursement liability - Victim liability.

Current through 2026 General Session

Part of Part 1: Property Destruction, Utah Code.

Criminal charges under this statute

Defacement by graffiti defined

Full text of Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-107

Statutory text current through the 2026 General Session. This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Utah.

Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-107Primary source, current through the 2026 General Session

(1)(a) As used in this section, "victim" means the person whose property is defaced or damaged by the use of graffiti and who bears the expense for removal of the graffiti. (1)(b) Terms defined in Sections 76-1-101.5 and 76-6-101 apply to this section. (2) An actor commits defacement by graffiti if the actor, without permission, defaces or damages the property of another by graffiti. (3) A violation of Subsection (2) is a: (3)(a) second degree felony if the damage caused is in excess of $5,000; (3)(b) third degree felony if the damage caused is equal to or in excess of $1,000 but less than or equal to $5,000; (3)(c) class A misdemeanor if the damage caused is equal to or in excess of $300 but less than $1,000; and (3)(d) class B misdemeanor if the damage caused is less than $300. (4) Damages under Subsection (3) include removal costs, repair costs, or replacement costs, whichever is less. (5) The court shall order an individual convicted under Subsection (3) to pay restitution to the victim in an amount equal to the costs incurred by the victim as a result of the graffiti. (6) An additional amount of $1,000 in restitution shall be added to removal costs if the graffiti is positioned on an overpass or an underpass, requires that traffic be interfered with in order to remove it, or the entity responsible for the area in which the clean-up is to take place must provide assistance in order for the removal to take place safely. (7) An individual who voluntarily, at the individual's own expense, and with the consent of the property owner, removes graffiti for which the individual is responsible may be credited for the removal costs against restitution ordered by a court. (8) Before an authorized government agency may issue a citation or assess a fine to a victim for the victim's failure to remove graffiti from the victim's property, the agency shall: (8)(a) provide written notice to the victim alerting the victim of the graffiti; (8)(b) allow the victim one week after the day on which the agency provides written notice of the graffiti to remove the graffiti; and (8)(c) provide the victim with a list of resources available to assist the victim with removal of the graffiti. (9)(a) After receiving notification of graffiti under Subsection (8)(a), a victim who is unable to remove the graffiti due to physical or financial hardship may alert the agency that provided notice under Subsection (8)(a) of the hardship. (9)(b) If an authorized government agency finds a victim has demonstrated that the victim would experience significant hardship in removing the graffiti, the agency: (9)(b)(i) may not issue a citation or assess a fee to the victim for failure to remove the graffiti; and (9)(b)(ii) shall provide, or hire an outside entity to provide, the assistance necessary to remove the graffiti from the victim's property. (9)(c) An authorized government agency that provides, or hires an outside agency to provide, assistance under Subsection (9)(b)(ii), may request reimbursement from a restitution order, under Subsection (5), against an individual who used graffiti to damage the property that the agency removed, or paid another to remove.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is defacement by graffiti defined a felony or a misdemeanor in Utah?

It depends on the circumstances: defacement by graffiti defined ranges from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Second Degree Felony in Utah under Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-107.

Defacement by graffiti (damage over $5,000): Second Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-107(3)(a)) · Defacement by graffiti ($1,000–$5,000): Third Degree Felony (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-107(3)(b)) · Defacement by graffiti ($300–$1,000): Class A Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-107(3)(c)) · Defacement by graffiti (under $300): Class B Misdemeanor (Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-107(3)(d))

Which Utah statute covers defacement by graffiti defined?

Defacement by graffiti defined is governed by Utah Code Ann. § 76-6-107 (Defacement by graffiti defined - Penalties - Removal costs - Reimbursement liability - Victim liability).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.