Reporting Graffiti

Affects of

Graffiti Vandalism

Graffiti vandalism creates a nuisance that can adversely affect property values, business opportunities and poses a risk to the health, safety and welfare of a community.

If you are witnessing graffiti vandalism in progress, please call 911.
Make an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477

Rapid removal of graffiti vandalism is one of the most effective deterrents to taggers, as clean up is costly.

Statistics show that most taggers are males between 12 and 21 years old.
Hip-hop graffiti, a more complex style (font) of “tagging”, is the most common type of graffiti found in Hamilton (80-90%).
Graffiti is the most common type of property vandalism (35%).

Graffiti cleanup is costly to taxpayers, using up funds that could be used for parks, roads and other community improvements.
Graffiti removal companies must be licensed with the City of Hamilton.
Everyone needs to work together to combat graffiti.

Report Graffiti

Report existing graffiti by phone or email. Please provide as much precise detail as possible:

specific address, location or intersection
name of business/park/institution/monument or any other specific details
for email reporting attach images of the grafitti (allowed types: gif, jpg, jpeg, png)
contact information (optional) if follow up is required

Call 905-546-2489 Email askcity@hamilton.ca

Changes to the Commercial District Revitalization Grant Program

On September 13, 2023, City Council approved temporary changes to the Commercial District Revitalization Grant Program to provide grants for graffiti removal on commercial and mixed-use commercial properties located within strategic commercial districts and corridors of the city including Downtown Hamilton, the Community Downtowns of Ancaster, Binbrook, Dundas, Stoney Creek and Waterdown, Business Improvement Areas and more.

To learn more about the grant, to determine if your property or business is eligible, or to submit a grant application online, please visit www.investinhamilton.ca/graffitiremoval

Graffiti Reporting

Receive, track and coordinate graffiti complaints.
Remove graffiti from City property. New service standard is removal within 72 hours of reporting.
Forward complaints for action by responsible agency such as Canada Post, MTO, Alectra Utilities (formerly Horizon Utilities), Union Gas and Bell Canada.
Enforce the by-law that relates to graffiti removal.
Provide resources and training for volunteer groups who want to help clean up parks, roads etc. (eg: Adopt-a-Park Program).
Increase awareness and engage residents and businesses through public education and initiatives (eg: Recycled Paint Program).

Respond to complaints about graffiti in progress.
Capture and determine consequences that may include diversion programs (e.g. John Howard Society/Public Works graffiti clean-up program) or charges against graffiti vandals.
Educate youth and neighbourhood residents (e.g. School Liaison Officers, Safeguard home security audits, Neighbourhood Watch).

Clean graffiti off your property promptly.
Call Police (911) if you see graffiti in progress.
Contact the City to report existing graffiti at 905-546-2489 or report online using the Graffiti Form.
Provide tips to Police and/or Crime Stoppers.
Make an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Volunteer: get involved in neighbourhood associations or activities that help prevent and clean up graffiti.

Remove graffiti from your property as soon as possible. The sooner you clean, the easier it will come off.
Fresh paint is more easily removed than paint that has had time to bond with a surface.
In the event of a return visit, remove it as soon as possible, the person wants to be seen, take that thrill away from them.
Always remember that safety comes first and do not confront the vandal(s) on your own.
If you spot graffiti on your neighbour's property, inform them right away. Encourage them to clean it up as soon as possible.
Consider pooling resources and sharing the cost of the clean-up materials.
If you have to cover up graffiti, paint the whole wall. If it's not possible to paint the entire wall, block off the offending section with a square or rectangle-shaped area of paint.
Avoid using paint to cover up graffiti on bare surfaces such as unpainted concrete, stone or brick walls. Instead, remove the graffiti with solvents and other specialized supplies or call a professional for help.
Where possible and economically feasible, install extra lighting and cameras or plant ivy.
Don’t leave old skids or milk crates, etc. outside, they can be used to aid in climbing up buildings.
Store Owners: keep your markers and spray cans, etc. in conspicuous areas where they can be monitored. Ask a few questions when the individual purchasing the spray paint appears to be a minor.

Date modified

April 04, 2025

Hamilton Search

Graffiti Vandalism

Report Graffiti

Changes to the Commercial District Revitalization Grant Program

Roles & Responsibilities

The City's role

The Police's role

The Community's role