Homeowners say it's hopeless to clean graffiti off buildings because it just comes back. (CBC)

The City of Ottawa has sent out hundreds of letters to homeowners warning them to clean the graffiti off their buildings or the city will do it for them and send them the bill.

"If we don't pay the fine, then they'll put it on our tax bill," said P.J. Hunt, who was cleaning the graffiti off his garage in the Hintonburg neighbourhood Friday.

"What upsets me most is I feel the city's blaming the victim, and their efforts are misguided.

"They're blaming the homeowner for the graffiti problem instead of looking at those that are doing it and trying to capture them," Hunt said.

Hunt said it's pointless to repaint his garage because the graffiti will just keep coming back.

It's all a result of the city's new graffiti-vandalism bylaw, which went into effect April 1.

"We realize it's a challenge for some homeowners," said Susan Jones, manager of bylaw enforcement.

"Some of these areas have been the target of repeated vandalism…. We are trying to work with the community, have neighbours watch out. We have laid charges — $500 fines for each individual who's caught," Jones said.

"We have sent out hundreds of notices, and frankly are quite pleased at the response we've gotten. The majority, 99 per cent, are removing them," she said.