Purpose

The City of St. Catharines is committed to reducing and eliminating graffiti in our neighbourhoods. Prompt reporting and removal of graffiti is essential in reducing incidents and keeping our neighbourhoods clean. The City has taken steps to make it easy and effective for citizens to take an active role in our fight to eliminate graffiti.

The Graffiti Bylaw requires property owners to maintain their property free of graffiti. Properties not maintained free of graffiti will be served notice and are obligated to clean graffiti within 7 days of being served. The bylaw is not intended to be punitive to property owners victimized by graffiti but rather, it is intended to encourage prompt reporting and removal of graffiti.

When to Call?

Public Property

To report graffiti in progress, call 911.

To report graffiti after the fact:

• Phone: 905.688.5600
• Facebook: City of St. Catharines
• Twitter: @St_Catharines
• Pingstreet: Use our free smart phone and tablet app's 'Report a Problem' feature to send a picture of graffiti to the City

Once City staff is aware of graffiti on City property all efforts are made to provide removal within 48 hours and 24 hours in the case of obscene or discriminatory graffiti.

Private Property

To report graffiti in progress, call 911.

To report graffiti after the fact:

• Phone: 905.688.5601 ext. 1629
• Online: Fill out and submit a graffiti complaint form
• In person: Complete a complaint form at Planning and Building Services at City Hall

Graffiti Removal Assistance Program

To provide assistance to private property owners victimized by graffiti, City Council created the Graffiti Removal Assistance Program. This program makes funds available to property owners for removal of graffiti on their property. The program will pay property owners 50% of the cost of removal of graffiti up to a maximum payment of $500 and to a maximum of 3 times per year.

Download a copy of the Graffiti Removal Assistance Program application form or call 905.688.5601 ext. 3145 for further information on the Graffiti Removal Assistance Program.