Graffiti

On municipal property

Contact Public Works to request graffiti removal by submitting a service request form or by calling (905) 873-2600 ext. 2603.

The Town’s role

When graffiti is reported on municipal property, staff:

• Inspect the location and remove graffiti based on a prioritized list.

• Graffiti that is obscene or refers to a particular individual will be removed as soon as possible.

• If graffiti is on public property not owned by Town (e.g. schools) or on a utility infrastructure within the Town’s right-of-way (e.g. Canada Post, Hydro, or Bell boxes), staff may be required to report graffiti to the appropriate organization for removal. For more information, refer to Community Standards By-law 2008-0138.

Prevention on town property/projects

• Public Art projects take into account anti-graffiti design principles.

• Anti-graffiti coating is applied to public art projects as appropriate e.g., Under Wraps and Bell Box Mural Project.

On private property

Contact Enforcement Services by submitting an enforcement request form or by calling (905) 873-2600 ext. 2330

The Town’s role

Graffiti on private property is the responsibility of the owner.

When a complaint is received:

1. A By-law Enforcement Officer will inspect the property and will give the property owner a fixed time in order to remove the graffiti of at least five days.

2. The Enforcement Officer will follow up with the complainant and inspect the site for compliance.

If the property owner does not comply within the allotted time, the Town will remove the graffiti and the cost will be added to the property owner’s tax bill.

When should you call the Halton Regional Police Services (HRPS)

Call the Halton Regional Police Services (HRPS) non-emergency number 905-825-4777 for:

• Graffiti in Progress.

• Graffiti that is offensive including hate speech, sexually explicit and/or references to a particular individual. Contact HRPS before the graffiti is removed so that they can investigate.

Identify the location using the street address, intersections, and nearby markers. Note the objects or areas affected and what the graffiti says or looks like.

Prevention

These tips may help to prevent ongoing vandalism on your property. One of the most effective ways to deter graffiti vandalism is to work with an artist to install a mural or graffiti art. When this is not possible or appropriate consider:

• Paint surfaces in dark colours.

• Protect your walls with a protective coating to ease removal efforts.

• Plant climbing vines or thorny plants along building wall.

• Increase security around your property by restricting access to buildings and structures or installing security cameras.

Removal

If your property is listed on the Town's Heritage Register or designated under the Ontario Heritage Act, removing graffiti can be a delicate task. Contact Heritage Planning Staff to confirm the correct methodology that should be used.

It can be difficult and frustrating to remove graffiti vandalism from your property. Addressing it quickly (within 24 – 72 hours) will make it easier to remove and less likely to reoccur.

Usually, graffiti can be removed with a cleaning agent and some patience. Consider the surface the graffiti is on. Masonry surfaces are the most porous, while painted metal/vinyl surfaces are the least.

• For very porous surfaces, a cleaning agent should be allowed to sink into the surface and be agitated (with steel wool or a wire brush) while sinking in.

• For less porous surfaces, remove the cleaning agent quickly with a cloth so as not to damage the existing finish.

There are a variety of removal products that can be used on their own or with a power washer. Research the product to ensure that it is suitable for the intended application. You do not want to cause damage to the structure, the environment or yourself.