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 April 2026, a total of 208 graffiti removals were carried out in the Canton of Basel-Stadt. Of these, 99 removals were from public facilities, categorized as SprayOut, and 109 removals were from private buildings, categorized as SprayEx. Compared to the average monthly graffiti removals of 148.5 recorded since November 2023, this number is considered to be high.

The top five communities with the highest number of graffiti removals in April 2026 were St. Johann (32), Matthäus (22), Altstadt Grossbasel (22), Am Ring (21), and Vorstädte (19). The bottom five communities, where the least removals were required, were Rosental (1), Kleinhüningen (1), Clara (3), Riehen (3), and Breite (5).

Examining the monthly time series of graffiti removals reveals a notable upward trend starting in late 2023. This increase is directly linked to the fact that reporting of graffiti removals on private buildings, the SprayEx category, only began in October 2023. Prior to this, the data primarily reflected removals from public facilities, which averaged around 60 to 80 removals per month. After October 2023, the inclusion of private building removals caused the total monthly figures to rise significantly, often exceeding 100 and reaching peaks above 200 in recent months. The data for April 2026, with 208 removals, continues this elevated pattern, indicating a sustained level of graffiti removal activity across both public and private properties.

The Canton of Basel-Stadt maintains a proactive approach to 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.