Published July 1 2025
Graffiti can be frustrating to see in our neighborhoods, especially when it appears along major roadways or at transit stations. The City of Bellevue shares your concerns and is committed to keeping our public spaces safe, clean and welcoming.
While the city promptly addresses graffiti on property we own or manage, many frequently tagged areas – like freeway walls, overpasses and light rail stations – are owned and maintained by other public agencies. In those cases, the best way to ensure the graffiti is addressed is to report it directly to the property owner.
When graffiti is on:
Freeway overpasses, embankments or freeway and overpass signs, report it to the state Department of Transportation.
Light rail stations and transit facilities, call or text Sound Transit Security 206-398-5268 or use the Feedback form at SoundTransit.org.
The City of Bellevue does not remove graffiti from WSDOT or Sound Transit property, but the city shares information and coordinates with our partners. By reporting graffiti directly to the responsible agency, you help keep our region clean and support efficient maintenance.
A new approach to prevention
To help reduce tagging, Sound Transit is piloting a new approach by working with graffiti artists to create original artwork at some of its stations. The goal is to transform frequently vandalized spaces into community-oriented art that discourages further graffiti.
Reporting graffiti on city property
For graffiti on property the city owns or privately-owned property in Bellevue, please use the MyBellevue app or contact Code Compliance.
Did you know?
The City of Bellevue can’t remove graffiti from property we don’t own—like transit stations, freeways, overpasses and embankments. It will be cleaned up faster if it is reported to the agencies that own and maintain those areas.
WSDOT spent about $1.4 million on graffiti cleanup over two years—money that could have gone to essential maintenance like pothole repair and snow removal.
Taggers often target new infrastructure—sometimes just days after construction finishes.
Removing graffiti on freeway signs can cost up to $50,000—and may require lane closures. Reporting it keeps roads safer.
Some graffiti covers important information. Reporting it directly to the agencies helps protect drivers and transit riders and operators.