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 October 2026, a total of 122 graffiti removals were recorded in the Canton of Basel-Stadt. Of these, 52 removals concerned public facilities, while 70 removals concerned private buildings. Compared to the average monthly graffiti removals of 146.4 recorded since November 2023, this number is considered to be high.

The top five communities with the highest number of graffiti removals in October 2026 were St. Johann (18), Matthäus (16), Altstadt Grossbasel (11), Vorstädte (10), and Wettstein (9). The bottom five communities, where the least removals were required, were Breite (1), Rosental (1), Hirzbrunnen (2), Clara (2), and Klybeck (3).

The monthly time series of graffiti removals shows a clear upward shift beginning in late 2023. Before October 2023, monthly removals typically ranged between roughly 30 and 90, with occasional peaks near 91 in early 2019 and mid-2021. From November 2023 onward, removals jumped sharply, with November 2023 recording 200 removals and subsequent months frequently exceeding 120. This increase is largely explained by the fact that reporting of graffiti removals on private buildings only started in October 2023. Once private-building removals were included in the data, the total counts rose substantially, reflecting a broader measurement rather than necessarily a sudden surge in vandalism. Since early 2024, monthly removals have generally fluctuated between about 120 and 178, with a notable peak of 214 in March and April 2026, followed by a decline to 114 in May 2026 and a partial recovery to 172 in June 2026. The October 2026 figure of 122 is therefore consistent with the elevated but variable levels seen since the reporting change.

The Canton of Basel-Stadt maintains cleanliness in public spaces through a rapid-response approach. 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. In addition, the canton financially supports private property owners in removing graffiti, covering a substantial portion of cleaning costs. Basel also 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.