Graffiti & Postering

Reporting Graffiti or Postering Issues

Find out how to report graffiti vandalism or illegal postering in your neighbourhood. Read the City’s fact sheet to learn more about graffiti vandalism.

Situation	What to Do
Graffiti on City roads, sidewalks or bridges	Report online or contact 311
Graffiti in a City park	Report online or contact 311
Graffiti on Temporary Condition Signs or Temporary Control Devices	Report online or contact 311
Graffiti on private property	Property owners are responsible for removing graffiti. If graffiti has not been addressed within a reasonable amount of time by the property owner, report online or contact 311.
Hate or gang‑related graffiti	Report online to Toronto Police Service or contact 416‑808‑2222
Graffiti in progress	Call 911
Postering on City property	Report online or contact 311
Postering concerns on City kiosks	Report online or contact 311

What if Someone Tags my Property With Graffiti?

Property owners must keep their property free of graffiti vandalism. If the City investigates a complaint and finds a problem, a Bylaw Enforcement Officer may issue a notice and give the owner time to remove the graffiti. In most cases, the deadline is 20 days. Different rules apply to hate graffiti.

Timelines

• Graffiti must be removed within the given deadline (usually 20 days).
• Hate graffiti is investigated as a priority and may be required to be removed immediately. Depending on the circumstances, property owners may be given time to comply before further action is taken.

Preventing Graffiti Vandalism

• Install or improve lighting and security cameras.
• Limit access with fences or locked storage.
• Plant climbing vines or thorny shrubs against large blank walls.
• Use dark paint colours or apply an anti‑graffiti coating.
• Consider commissioning a legal mural to help prevent future tagging. Funding may be available through StreetARToronto.

Exemptions & Approved Graffiti Art in the City

Not all graffiti is vandalism. Through StreetARToronto, murals and street art are part of the City’s comprehensive Graffiti Management Plan to make our streets more beautiful, showcase local artists, mentor emerging talent, and reduce vandalism.

You can also find where in the City has been designated as approved graffiti art zones.

Applying for an Exemption

If graffiti art or an art mural on your property has been mistaken for vandalism and you have been issued a Notice of Violation for graffiti, you can apply for a Graffiti Art/Mural exemption. Please send an email to GraffitiExemption@toronto.ca, providing the following details:

• Exact address and location (e.g. garage, fence etc.) of art mural or graffiti art
• Acknowledgement that the art mural or graffiti art was created with the permission of the property owner
• A statement explaining why the art mural or graffiti art aesthetically enhances the surface it covers
• A statement explaining how or why the art mural or graffiti art has regard to community character and standards
• One or more photos that accurately portray all aspects of the art mural or graffiti art
• If applicable, artist/company name commissioned to complete the art mural or graffiti art
• The investigating Bylaw Enforcement Officer’s name and contact information.
• The associated Municipal Licensing & Standards (MLS) folder number or a copy of the Notice of Violation.

Postering

Postering structures provide space for residents to post and share community information. The City monitors and enforces rules around postering in public spaces.

• Only place posters on permitted City kiosks and message boards.
• Community notices (lost pet, yard sale, cultural or religious events) may be placed on locations other than City kiosks and message boards.
• Do not poster on traffic poles, transit shelters or other public structures.

Violations:

• Create a danger for drivers or pedestrians
• Damage City property
• Look messy or unattractive
• Cover all or part of another poster or community notice
• Posters must conform to the following:
  • Be no larger than 22 cm × 28 cm
  • Be made of lightweight cardboard
  • Be attached flat to the surface using staples or removable tape
  • Be placed no higher than 2 metres above the ground
  • Show the posting date on the front
  • Be removed within 30 days of posting or 5 days after the event ends, whichever comes first
  • Only one poster with the same information may be posted on a kiosk
  • Face toward the property and away from the roadway
  • Include valid contact information for at least one owner of the poster

Fines for Bylaw Violations

Those who do not comply with the Signs Bylaw are guilty of an offence. If issued a ticket and convicted, they may have to pay a fine for the offence.

Offence	Bylaw Provision	Fine
Display Sign without permit	693-1.4(1)	$700
Display Sign not permitted by chapter	693-1.4(3)	$700
Display Sign on median/travelled portion of highway	693-1.4(4)	$600
Display Sign that interferes with safe operation of vehicle /cyclist/pedestrian traffic	693-1.4(5)	$600
Display Sign that obstructs visibility/blocks sightlines of intersection/vehicular access point	693-1.4(6)	$600
Display Sign on traffic signal/traffic control device	693-1.4(7)	$600
Display Sign which cannot be readily moved	693-1.4(8)	$500
Display Sign attached to tree	693-1.4(9)	$600
Display Sign interfering/causing damage to services	693-1.4(10)	$500
Display Sign which obstructs City highway entrance for Snow Removal/Maintenance/Installation/Repair	693-1.4(11)	$600
Display Sign with animation/video display/illumination/flashing lights/sound/movement or stimulated motion	693-1.4(12)	$500
Display Sign with attachment causing sign to be larger than permitted	693-1.4(12)	$500
Display Sign in poor state of repair unsightly structurally inadequate/ hazardous condition	693-1.4(13)	$500
Fail to remove Sign per City order/direction 693-1.4(14) $600	693-1.4(14)	$600