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 June 2026, a total of 167 graffiti removals were recorded in the Canton of Basel-Stadt. Of these, 74 removals were from public facilities, categorized as SprayEx, and 93 removals were from private buildings, categorized as SprayOut. Compared to the average monthly graffiti removals of 147.8 recorded since November 2023, this number is considered to be high.

The top five communities with the highest number of graffiti removals in June 2026 were St. Johann (21), Matthäus (18), Vorstädte (18), Altstadt Grossbasel (17), and St. Alban (15). The bottom five communities with the fewest removals were Gotthelf (1), Clara (2), Riehen (3), Hirzbrunnen (3), and Bruderholz (4).

Examining the monthly time series of graffiti removals reveals a clear and sustained increase in removals starting in late 2023. The data shows that monthly removals typically ranged between 30 and 90 from 2018 through September 2023. Beginning in October 2023, however, the number of removals jumped significantly, with November 2023 recording 200 removals. Since then, monthly totals have consistently remained above 100, often exceeding 140. This notable shift is directly explained by the fact that reporting of graffiti removals on private buildings, the SprayOut category, only started in October 2023. The inclusion of these private property removals accounts for the structural increase in the overall removal numbers observed after that date.

The Canton of Basel-Stadt maintains a proactive approach to keeping public spaces clean. 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. Basel also 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.