Chalking up fines: Walla Walla man contests city ordinance
By Dan Thesman on Friday, October 10th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – Henry Contreras, 38, of Walla Walla is contesting over $11,000 in
fines for violating the city of Walla Walla’s chalk use ordinance.
There will be a hearing in Walla Walla District Court at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
Currently, Contreras has 11 infractions, each totaling $1,025. His first infraction was
mailed out on Sept. 4, and the last infraction was mailed out on Sept. 29. The date of
his first infraction was May 30, and the latest one was on Sept. 19.
Contreras’ fines include all applicable assessments, such as the public safety and
education assessments
In February, the city council approved an ordinance requiring chalk messages in
downtown Walla Walla be removed by sundown the same day or face a fine. If chalking
is created after sundown it must be cleaned by the next sundown.
Enforcement involves photographing the violator and submitting a report to the Walla
Walla Police Department, which identifies the violator and sends the case to the city
attorney, who will then submit it to the district court for enforcement action if it is an
infraction. Fines of up to $500 may apply for non-compliance.
The ordinance allows chalking but mandates cleanup without limiting message content.
