AGOURA HILLS : Sales of Spray Cans May Be Restricted

Taking up an anti-graffiti tactic used by a growing number of cities, Agoura Hills officials are planning to require merchants to keep spray paint cans and wide markers out of reach of customers.

“If we all have the same ordinance and the same controls, then someone can’t go into the next city and buy a can of spray paint and come back into your city with it,” said Brian Torsney of the Agoura Hills Public Works Department.

Although the vigilance of business owners, civic leaders and residents has kept the semi-rural city relatively graffiti-free, any measure that can help keep the urban markings out of Agoura Hills is a good one, Torsney said.

“The problem with graffiti is that once it is up, it proliferates,” Torsney said. “If you don’t get rid of it, it becomes a message board.”

Minors, who are forbidden by law from purchasing spray cans, often resort to stealing them. Keeping spray cans under lock and key virtually eliminates theft, and thereby helps reduce graffiti, many cities report.

At its Wednesday night meeting, the City Council directed city staff to draft an ordinance that would require spray paint cans and markers with tips larger than 4 millimeters to be kept in locked cabinets or otherwise away from customers. Most “hi-liter” pens are slightly smaller than that.

Other local cities have adopted similar laws since an ordinance approved by the city of Los Angeles was upheld by the state Supreme Court last year. Westlake Village reportedly is also considering such a measure.