Report Litter & Graffiti in Vancouver Parks - Bylaws

Parks and Public Spaces British Columbia 3 Minutes Read · published February 11, 2026 Flag of British Columbia

Vancouver, British Columbia maintains rules for keeping parks clean and safe. This guide explains how to report litter and graffiti in Vancouver parks, the relevant municipal enforcement pathways, what penalties may apply, and practical action steps to submit complaints to City of Vancouver teams. Use the official report tools or contact By-law Enforcement and Parks staff when you see dumped waste, persistent litter, or graffiti on park property.

Penalties & Enforcement

The City of Vancouver enforces park cleanliness and graffiti removal through municipal bylaws and dedicated enforcement teams. Specific fine amounts and escalation steps are described on the city pages and bylaws cited below; where a precise dollar amount is not shown on the official page we note that it is not specified on the cited page.[3]

  • Typical fines: not specified on the cited page; consult the linked bylaw and enforcement pages for exact amounts.[3]
  • Escalation: first offences, repeat offences, and continuing offences are addressed by ticketing and compliance orders; exact escalation ranges are not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: compliance orders, requirements to remove graffiti or clean property, seizure or abatement actions, and prosecution in court where applicable.
  • Enforcers: City of Vancouver By-law Enforcement and Vancouver Park Board staff handle park-related complaints; use the official report pages to submit incidents.[1]
Report items promptly to preserve evidence and help enforcement act quickly.

Applications & Forms

To report litter, illegal dumping, or graffiti in parks the City provides online reporting forms and phone contacts. There is typically no separate permit required to report an incident; removal and remediation requests are submitted through the City's report portals or by contacting By-law Enforcement directly.[2]

  • Online graffiti report form: use the City of Vancouver graffiti report page to submit photos, location, and description.[1]
  • Illegal dumping / litter reports: submit location, type of waste, and photos via the City report tool.[2]
  • Deadlines: report as soon as possible; specific statutory appeal periods for tickets or orders are set out in the controlling bylaw or ticket notice (not specified on the cited page).

Common violations and typical outcomes:

  • Littering or leaving garbage in a park - subject to ticketing or removal orders.
  • Graffiti on park structures - removal orders and service requests for abatement.
  • Illegal dumping of large items - investigation, cleanup orders, and potential fines.

How to report

Step-by-step reporting helps City staff act: document location, take clear photos, note time and identifying details, and use the City report pages for faster processing. For graffiti use the dedicated online graffiti report tool on the City website.[1]

  • Collect evidence: photos, exact park or landmark, and approximate time.
  • Report: submit via the City online forms or call the non-emergency contact number listed on the City pages.[2]
  • Follow up: keep the incident number and follow the City’s instructions for appeals or additional information.
Photos and precise location details speed up removal and enforcement.

FAQ

Who enforces litter and graffiti rules in Vancouver parks?
City of Vancouver By-law Enforcement and Vancouver Park Board staff enforce park bylaws and handle graffiti and litter complaints.
How do I report graffiti or litter in a park?
Use the City’s online report tools for graffiti or illegal dumping and provide photos and the exact location.[1]
Will I be notified about enforcement actions?
Notices or tickets typically specify appeal routes and timelines; check the ticket or compliance order for exact time limits (not specified on the cited page).

How-To

  1. Take clear photos of the litter or graffiti and note the exact park location and nearest address or landmark.
  2. Use the City of Vancouver graffiti report page to submit graffiti reports or the illegal dumping report page for dumped waste.[1][2]
  3. Keep the incident or ticket number and follow any instructions from By-law Enforcement for additional information or appeals.

Key Takeaways

  • Report quickly with photos to improve response times.
  • Use official City report pages and keep reference numbers.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Vancouver - Report graffiti
  2. [2] City of Vancouver - Report illegal dumping and litter
  3. [3] City of Vancouver - By-law Enforcement

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