Open Data Insight of the Day

Illegal graffiti, often seen as vandalism, involves unauthorized markings on property and is subject to penalties. In contrast, street art created with permission is legal. The Canton of Basel-Stadt encourages artistic expression by designating walls for murals, while also prioritizing the swift removal of unwanted graffiti to prevent further defacement.

In January 2026, a total of 140 graffiti removals were recorded in Basel-Stadt. This included 83 removals from public facilities, categorized under SprayEx, and 57 from private buildings, under SprayOut. 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 were Altstadt Kleinbasel (30), Matthäus (14), Am Ring (12), Wettstein (12), and Vorstädte (10). Conversely, the communities with the least removals were Kleinhüningen (1), Clara (2), Rosental (2), Breite (2), and Gundeldingen (3).

The time series data shows a notable increase in graffiti removals after October 2023, coinciding with the start of reporting SprayOut, which includes graffiti on private buildings. This change accounts for the higher removal numbers observed in recent months.

Basel-Stadt is committed to maintaining clean public spaces by removing illegal graffiti from public infrastructure within 48 hours of reporting. Residents can report graffiti via a hotline or online form. The canton also supports private property owners by subsidizing graffiti removal costs. Additionally, Basel promotes legal street art by advising property owners, commissioning murals, and designating walls for painting, which helps beautify the city and reduce vandalism.