Illegal graffiti refers to the unauthorized marking of public or private property and is commonly treated as vandalism, often subject to fines or other penalties. Graffiti becomes illegal when it is created without the owner’s permission, whereas works produced with consent—such as approved murals or street art—are considered legal. The key distinction therefore lies in the authorization of the property owner. Unsightly or unwanted graffiti should be removed as quickly as possible to prevent further damage or copycat defacement. At the same time, the canton of Basel-Stadt actively supports the creation of street-art murals by providing designated walls and encouraging artistic expression in appropriate locations.

In September 2026, a total of 109 graffiti removals were recorded in the Canton of Basel-Stadt. Of these, 39 removals concerned public facilities, while 70 removals involved private buildings. Compared to the average monthly graffiti removals of 146.6 recorded since November 2023, this number is considered to be high.

The top five communities with the highest number of graffiti removals were Vorstädte (14), Altstadt Grossbasel (13), Matthäus (12), Am Ring (10), and St. Johann (10). The bottom five communities, where the least removals were required, were Gotthelf (1), Riehen (1), Rosental (1), Clara (2), and Gundeldingen (2).

The monthly time series of graffiti removals shows a clear upward shift starting in late 2023. Before October 2023, monthly removals typically ranged between roughly 30 and 90, with occasional peaks near 91. In November 2023, the number jumped to 200, and from then on monthly figures have generally remained above 100, often reaching 140 to 178. This increase is largely explained by the fact that reporting of graffiti removals on private buildings, the SprayOut category, only started in October 2023. Before that date, the data primarily reflected removals from public facilities, which understated the true total. Once private building removals were included, the recorded totals rose substantially, and the series has since stabilized at a higher level, with September 2026’s figure of 109 being somewhat lower than the recent average but still within the elevated range.

The Canton of Basel-Stadt maintains cleanliness in public spaces through a rapid response system. Illegal graffiti on public infrastructure is typically removed within 48 hours of being reported, which helps prevent further vandalism. Residents can report graffiti through the cleanliness hotline or by completing the online form. The canton also financially supports private property owners in removing graffiti, covering a substantial portion of cleaning costs. In addition, Basel actively promotes legal street art by providing advisory services, supporting property owners who wish to commission murals, designating walls for legal painting, and encouraging high-quality street art as a way to beautify the city and reduce vandalism.