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 August 2026, a total of 68 graffiti removals were recorded in the Canton of Basel-Stadt. Of these, 67 removals concerned private buildings, while only 1 removal involved public facilities. Compared to the average monthly graffiti removals of 144.7 recorded since November 2023, this number is considered to be high.

The five communities with the highest number of graffiti removals in August 2026 were Am Ring (9), Matthäus (8), St. Johann (7), St. Alban (7), and Gotthelf (6). The five communities with the lowest number of removals were Gundeldingen (1), Bruderholz (1), Vorstädte (2), Rosental (2), and Breite (3).

The monthly time series of graffiti removals shows a clear structural break in late 2023. Before October 2023, monthly removals typically ranged between roughly 28 and 91, with occasional peaks near 91 in early 2019 and mid-2021. From November 2023 onward, the series jumps sharply, with values frequently exceeding 130 and reaching as high as 212 in March 2026. This increase is largely explained by the fact that reporting of graffiti removals on private buildings only started in October 2023. Before that date, the series primarily captured removals from public facilities, which were far fewer in number. Once private building removals were included, the total count rose substantially. Within this newer reporting regime, August 2026 stands out as a relatively low month, with only 68 removals, well below the post-October 2023 average of 144.7 and the lowest value since May 2026. This suggests a temporary decline in reported graffiti incidents or removals during that month, though the overall post-2023 level remains much higher than the pre-2023 baseline.

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