Report Graffiti
The first step to cleaning up graffiti in Vancouver is reporting it. If you see graffiti in your neighbourhood call 3-1-1 to report it. Here is what will happen next:
- If your report is for graffiti on private property a Property Use Inspector will be informed and the City of Vancouver Graffiti By-law will be applied. A notice will be sent to the property owner in question requesting quick removal.
- If graffiti is found on public property like libraries, community centre, lamp poles, streets and sidewalks, bridges, pedestrian over/under passes and retaining walls the City's graffiti removal contractor will be notified.
- If graffiti is found on bus shelters, benches and garbage cans installed the sidewalks the City's contractor for these public amenities will be contacted.
If you find graffiti on your property take a picture of it and file a report with the Vancouver Police Department by calling the non-emergency number at 604.717.3321. Remove graffiti quickly thereafter.
Some equipment like utility boxes are sometimes difficult to identified. The following tips will help you pinpoint ownership of the equipment and will assist a Customer Service Representative at 3-1-1.
- If a green box is installed between the inside edge of a sidewalk and private property it belongs to either Telus of Shaw Cable.
- BC Hydro boxes are usually identified as such with a sticker. These boxes are installed on private property.
- Smaller boxes installed either on the sidewalk near the curb or on utility poles belong to the City. They are traffic light or street light control switch boxes.