Victoria City Councillor Stephen Hammond proposed a motion to restrict spray-paint sales to minors and require retailers to secure cans in locked cabinets.
The proposal seeks to address the persistent issue of graffiti in British Columbia's capital, which creates a significant financial burden for the local government.
According to city data, removing graffiti costs the City of Victoria more than $500,000 annually [1]. The motion focuses on limiting the accessibility of spray paint to youth, suggesting that physical barriers at the point of sale could reduce the frequency of vandalism.
Hammond introduced the motion in 2024 as a proactive measure to protect city infrastructure. The plan would mandate that retailers keep the products in secured cabinets, effectively removing them from open shelves where minors can easily access them.
While the councillor acknowledged the uncertainty of the outcome, he expressed a commitment to pursuing the strategy. "I honestly don't know how much of an impact this will be, but I just refuse to not try," Hammond said.
The motion targets the supply chain of graffiti tools rather than focusing solely on enforcement after the act of vandalism has occurred. By restricting sales to minors and requiring secure storage, the city hopes to lower the incidence of tagging, and illegal murals across the municipality.
“Removing graffiti costs the City of Victoria more than $500,000 annually.”
This proposal reflects a shift toward preventative retail regulation to manage urban vandalism. By treating spray paint similarly to controlled substances or high-theft merchandise, the city is attempting to create a friction point for minors, though the effectiveness depends on retailer compliance and the availability of alternative paint sources.
