The City of Cape Town encourages the public to use the available permit processes for public art and murals.
The City has enabling laws for freedom of expression by way of mural or art installation.
The issue of public art and murals has been in the spotlight recently, amid the installation of various murals.
There have been instances where Law Enforcement has been unfairly criticised and the City’s regulations around public art misrepresented.
It is important to set the record straight.
Cape Town’s Graffiti by-law was introduced in 2009.
Any person who wishes to erect a mural or any form of graffiti must apply for permission from the City’s Department of Arts and Culture, as outlined in the Graffiti by-law:
There are many works of art in various parts of our city to prove that the process works, 31 murals have been approved across the City since May 2023.
Where murals have been found to be unsanctioned, engagement with community members have taken place to explain the processes and guide them on how to regularise these installations. The City is duty-bound to respond to complaints from the public about potential by-law transgressions.
It is important to note that, even where the installation is on private property, an application is still required.
The Graffiti Unit responds to public complaints about illegal graffiti, tagging and gang slogans across the metropole.
Between January and September 2022, the unit removed 17 283 square metres of graffiti.
During the same period in 2023, they removed 24 076 square metres of graffiti.
The unit focuses mainly on City-owned buildings, as, in terms of the by-law, private property owners are responsible for clearing graffiti on their property.
The City removes graffiti daily when there is no permission granted by the owner of the asset on public property (such as roads, housing, etc.) and when no permission has been issued by Arts & Culture.
The City of Cape Town’s regulations enable freedom of expression where people wish to paint a mural to show their support for a cause. The permitting process further ensures the sustainable management of public buildings and places for all.
