Open Data Insight of the Day

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 February 2026, a total of 143 graffiti removals were recorded in the Canton of Basel-Stadt. This total comprised 61 removals from public facilities and 82 removals from private buildings. Compared to the average monthly graffiti removals of 144.1 recorded since November 2023, this number is considered to be very high.

The communities with the highest number of graffiti removals in February were Matthäus (23), Am Ring (21), Altstadt Kleinbasel (13), Vorstädte (13), and St. Johann (12). The communities with the fewest removals were Hirzbrunnen (1), Clara (1), Gundeldingen (2), Breite (4), and Bachletten (4).

The monthly time series of graffiti removals shows a significant and sustained increase beginning in late 2023. This notable rise is largely explained by the fact that reporting of graffiti removals on private buildings only started in October 2023, which expanded the scope of data collection. Prior to this change, monthly removal figures were generally lower and more variable. Since the inclusion of private property data, monthly totals have consistently remained at a higher level, reflecting a more complete picture of graffiti removal activities across the canton.

The Canton of Basel-Stadt is committed to maintaining cleanliness in public spaces. 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. Additionally, the canton financially supports private property owners in removing graffiti, covering a substantial portion of cleaning costs. Finally, 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.