Graffiti is the fastest-growing civic issue in Halifax. Tagging appears on walls, under bridges, and on utility boxes almost daily — especially around downtown and the South End.
Good news: HRM responds to graffiti reports quickly. Bad news: Only if they know about it.
How to Report Graffiti
Fastest way: Report on SolveHFX
Take a photo
Drop a pin on the location
We route to HRM 311 + your councillor automatically
Direct to HRM:
Phone: 311 (from Halifax)
Email: contactus@311.halifax.ca
Online: [311.halifax.ca](https://311.halifax.ca)
What HRM Prioritizes
HRM removes graffiti in this order:
1. Hate speech or offensive symbols — removed within 24 hours
2. Graffiti on municipal buildings — 3-5 days
3. Graffiti on private property (with owner permission) — 1-2 weeks
4. Gang tags or territorial marking — escalated to police
Simple tags and general graffiti can take 2-4 weeks if not reported multiple times.
Pro Tips
Report offensive graffiti with urgency: In the description, note "hate speech" or "offensive symbol" — it gets moved to the front of the queue
Private property?: The owner must agree to removal. If you spot graffiti on someone else's building, notify them first
Under a bridge or hard to access?: Mention it — HRM may coordinate with Nova Scotia Public Works
Repeat tagger?: If you see the same tag in multiple locations, report all of them — it helps identify patterns
Why Report Community Graffiti?
Graffiti prevention starts with visibility. When you report graffiti:
HRM prioritizes hot spots
They increase patrols in high-tagged areas
Community awareness grows — fewer new taggers
Property values improve on cleaned streets
Report graffiti now — help keep Halifax clean.