Graffiti

Graffiti, who removes what?

The municipality only removes graffiti, stickers and posters on objects that belong to the municipality.

Objects of the municipality

All objects standing in public spaces such as:

  • street furniture (litter bins, benches, lampposts, traffic lights, signs, cabinets, planters, posting pillars, drop-off pillars underground waste containers)
  • engineering structures (bridges, viaducts, tunnels, noise barriers, quay walls)
  • schools, gymnasiums, swimming pools and other municipal buildings
  • visual arts
  • playgrounds (playground equipment, fencing)

Graffiti will be removed within a few working days upon detection or notification. Obscene, racist or offensive texts will be removed within 24 hours.

Not from the municipality

As far as possible, the owners of these are notified by the municipality when a report is received and/or daubing is observed.

Private properties

When daubing occurs on private property, the owner (landlord) is responsible for removal. Sometimes this is covered by building insurance. In that case, contact the insurance company.

Reporting a report of graffiti?

Do you see anything being defaced (or sprayed with graffiti) at this time? If so, call the police(0900-8844) or Report Crime Anonymously(0800-7000).

If it has already happened then you can file a report:

Include with your report:

  • Where it happened (e.g., school, tunnel, wall, trash can)
  • in what place (for example, at the level of street name, on lamppost number + in front of house number ..., on facade, door, or front/rear)

A photo is always very welcome. This saves the employee who has to remove it a lot of search time.

Costs

Approximately €40,000 is spent annually on the removal of graffiti, stickers and posters and their prevention. Costs are, incidentally and to the extent possible, recovered from the person who did it. This is not always successful, partly because the police cannot apprehend them at the time of application. The costs of removal and cleaning are therefore borne by the municipality and are ultimately paid by the residents. Therefore, we urge you to stop graffiti together. Talk about it with your child(ren) or loved ones so we can stop it. Show that graffiti is not normal. We are counting on your help.

Legal graffiti

There are 2 places in Zoetermeer where graffiti is allowed within the applicable rules:

  • graffiti tunnel on Boerhaavepad (bicycle and pedestrian tunnel under Afrikaweg)
  • graffiti wall at the skate track in the Burgemeester Vernède-sports park

Graffiti in other places is not allowed and therefore punishable.