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 March 2026, a total of 212 graffiti removals were recorded in the Canton of Basel-Stadt. These removals were categorized as 97 from public facilities and 115 from 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 were Vorstädte (37), Matthäus (26), Altstadt Grossbasel (22), St. Johann (19), and Am Ring (17). The bottom five communities, where the least removals were required, were Breite (1), Bruderholz (2), Kleinhüningen (2), Hirzbrunnen (3), and Gotthelf (4).

The monthly time series of graffiti removals shows a notable increase in reported cases starting in October 2023. This rise is largely explained by the inclusion of graffiti removals on private buildings, which began to be systematically recorded from that date onward. Prior to October 2023, the data primarily reflected removals from public facilities, resulting in lower overall numbers. Since then, the monthly removal figures have consistently remained at a higher level, reflecting the expanded reporting scope.

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.