Winnipeg looking to make it easier to remove graffiti from vacant buildings

Graffiti is seen on the side of a Winnipeg building in an undated image.

The City of Winnipeg wants to make it easier for workers to remove graffiti from vacant buildings.

A report in the property and development committee agenda calls for a bylaw change to allow city crews to go onto a property to remove graffiti and then add the cost to the owner’s taxes.

Currently, the city can only remove graffiti from vacant buildings with the owner’s permission, or if the owner does not successfully appeal a compliance order.

According to the report, the city removed more than 69,000 square metres of graffiti from 7,500 separate properties.

The report will be discussed when the committee meets on Oct. 9.