The City of Edmonton promotes safer, cleaner communities by reducing and preventing graffiti vandalism.
Graffiti vandalism is a serious crime that greatly impacts property owners and the surrounding community. But together, we can tackle graffiti in a way that ensures our city remains safe, livable and a place we’re proud to call home.
Immediate Removal is Important
Studies have shown the best strategy for the prevention of further graffiti is immediate removal. The longer graffiti lingers, the more graffiti and vandalism it attracts. Removing it will also put you in compliance with Community Standards Bylaw 14600.
Graffiti on Private Property
Capital City Clean Up offers $750 worth of professional graffiti cleaning assistance to private property owners, by title lot, in Edmonton each calendar year. We aim to remove graffiti within 7-10 days, weather dependent.
Please note: graffiti removal is limited in weather below -10 degrees Celsius. If you have applied to the program during cold weather, clean-up will occur when weather conditions improve.
To Apply:
Have pictures of the graffiti available to upload as it is required for the application.
If you have a Google account, fill out this application form. If you do not have a Google account, please email capitalcitycleanup@edmonton.ca.
Professional Graffiti Cleaning applicants will be contacted through email with a file number.
If property owners are applying for professional graffiti cleaning, it is important not to attempt to remove the graffiti first, as this may hinder the effects of the professional cleaning.
To report graffiti on private property as a Bylaw complaint, please use the 311 app.
Graffiti found on public property such as sidewalks, City of Edmonton brown waste bins, lamp posts, traffic boxes or third-party assets such as Epcor, Canada Post, Shaw or Telus boxes can be reported by calling 311 or using the 311 app.
Important: You will need to provide a photo and an address with your 311 complaint. While the 311 app records GPS coordinates, they are not always accurate.
- An address ensures we get to the right spot
- Providing a photo ensures we will bring the exact supplies needed to remove the graffiti
Additional Graffiti Vandalism Reporting (Optional)
You may file a report with Edmonton Police Service at Online Property Crime.
You will receive a file number. Edmonton Police Service will investigate graffiti vandalism crimes and pursue charges against graffiti offenders whenever possible.
Enforcement
As per Community Standards Bylaw 14600, it is the property owner's responsibility to remove graffiti. The graffiti bylaw falls under the same category as nuisance conditions - excess garbage, property in disrepair, long grass, and so on. This bylaw is to ensure that property owners keep their property maintained for the benefit of the whole community.
Protect Your Property - Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) strategies can make your property more secure and may help prevent acts of vandalism. CPTED is a multidisciplinary approach to crime prevention that uses urban and architectural design and the management of built and natural environments. View the CPTED Brochure.
Report It - Report graffiti tagging on public and private property to 311 so it can be removed.
Remove It Fast - By removing graffiti tagging quickly, the less likely it is that taggers will return. Paint over the graffiti or apply for the Professional Graffiti Cleaning Program as soon as graffiti tagging appears.
Keep it Clean - Broken fences, graffiti vandalism, litter, overgrown landscapes and poor lighting invite delinquent behaviour. Keeping your property clean and maintained has a positive effect on the community and helps deter graffiti vandalism.
Capital City Clean Up provides grant funding to non-profit organizations, community leagues and licensed businesses for the installation of murals on exterior building walls or assets.
Contact Us
Capital City Clean Up
Email capitalcitycleanup@edmonton.ca
Phone 311 | Outside of Edmonton: 780-442-5311