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Local rules and enforcement

Find your country and activity to compare local rules with enforcement for casual campaign use.

AI-assisted draft, updated with local experience. Open an entry for its sources and rating basis. About this guide

32 entries · 2 city-specific entries

Country guidance stays alongside matching local entries.

Australia

Putting up postersCountry guidance Written rules · draftCivil penalties may apply Enforcement · estimatemoderate to high

Written rules

Both the physical poster installer and the organizing company or event promoter can be fined under state environmental protection laws.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: moderate to high. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

The seed says both the person putting up a poster and its organiser can be fined. It identifies no state provision.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

State EPA Acts & Summary Offences Acts. Source link needed.

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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Putting up stickersCountry guidance Written rules · draftCivil penalties may apply Enforcement · estimatemoderate

Written rules

Treated as bill-posting or minor property defacement; active abatement carried out by public transport authorities.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: moderate. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

No specific penalties or reported outcomes have been added to this entry.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

Summary Offences Act / Municipal Ordinances. Source link needed.

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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ChalkingCountry guidance Written rules · draftRestrictions and uncertainty depend on the place Enforcement · estimatelow to moderate

Written rules

Can be treated as defacing public property; enforcement policies vary widely by local council jurisdiction.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: low to moderate. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

No specific penalties or reported outcomes have been added to this entry.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

Local Council By-laws / Summary Offences. Source link needed.

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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Painting and spray markingCountry guidance Written rules · draftCriminal penalties may apply Enforcement · estimatevery high

Written rules

Up to $24,000 AUD fine and 2 years imprisonment. Carrying spray cans in public without a demonstrated lawful excuse is an offense.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: very high. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

The seed lists a fine up to AUD 24,000 and two years’ imprisonment without identifying the state or provision. These claims need checking.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

State Graffiti Vandalism Acts. Source link needed.

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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Delivering and handing out leafletsCountry guidance Written rules · draftAllowed subject to restrictions Enforcement · estimatemoderate

Written rules

Postal delivery is legal. Hand-delivery to letterboxes marked 'No Junk Mail' violates industry codes and environmental littering laws.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: moderate. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

No specific penalties or reported outcomes have been added to this entry.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

Distribution Standards Code / Litter Laws. Source link needed.

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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Germany

Putting up postersCountry guidance Written rules · draftAdministrative penalties may apply Enforcement · estimatehigh

Written rules

Considered unauthorized commercial/public space usage (Sondernutzung). Substantial municipal fines apply.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: high. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

The seed mentions municipal fines without amounts or local sources.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

Strassen- und Wegegesetz / OWiG

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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Putting up stickersCountry guidance Written rules · draftAdministrative or criminal penalties may apply Enforcement · estimatemoderate

Written rules

Classified as illegal surface alteration. Public transport authorities actively pursue legal cost recovery from slap-taggers.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: moderate. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

The seed mentions recovery of removal costs by transport authorities. No local outcomes have been supplied.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

StGB § 303 Abs. 2 / OWiG

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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ChalkingCountry guidance Written rules · draftThe seed describes some tolerance alongside restrictions Enforcement · estimatelow

Written rules

Allowed on public footpaths if temporary and non-damaging; banned if causing political disturbance or placed on historic monuments.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: low. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

No specific penalties or reported outcomes have been added to this entry.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

Strassenreinigung / Ordnungsamt local bylaws. Source link needed.

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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Painting and spray markingCountry guidance Written rules · draftCriminal penalties may apply Enforcement · estimatehigh

Written rules

Section 303 covers unlawful property damage and unauthorized changes to appearance that are more than insignificant and more than temporary.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: high. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

The seed mentions criminal proceedings and civil recovery of removal costs. No local outcomes have been supplied.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

Strafgesetzbuch (StGB) § 303

Source correction: Corrected § 303b (computer sabotage) to § 303 (property damage). Enforcement and outcomes still need local evidence.

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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Painting and spray markingBerlin Written rules · draftRestrictions apply; permission at designated painting walls needs local confirmation Enforcement · estimatemoderate

Written rules

The national property-damage provision is § 303. The seed also names designated painting walls in Berlin; the permission, boundaries and current conditions at each wall still need checking.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: moderate. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

No specific penalties or reported outcomes have been added to this entry.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

Strafgesetzbuch (StGB) § 303

Source correction: Corrected the statute. The seed’s claim about permission at Mauerpark has not been verified.

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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Delivering and handing out leafletsCountry guidance Written rules · draftRestrictions apply Enforcement · estimatehigh

Written rules

Banned if mailbox displays 'Bitte keine Werbung' (No Advertising). Placing flyers in opted-out boxes violates civil personality rights.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: high. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

No specific penalties or reported outcomes have been added to this entry.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) § 823

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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Japan

Putting up postersCountry guidance Written rules · draftAdministrative penalties may apply Enforcement · estimatehigh

Written rules

Strict enforcement by local public health & safety bureaus. Unauthorized posting on utility poles incurs steep administrative fines.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: high. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

The seed mentions administrative fines without amounts or a specific provision.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

Outdoor Advertisement Control Law (屋外広告物法)

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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Putting up stickersCountry guidance Written rules · draftAdministrative penalties may apply Enforcement · estimatehigh

Written rules

Explicitly prohibited under minor offense law (affixing notices on private or public structures without owner consent).

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: high. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

No specific penalties or reported outcomes have been added to this entry.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

Minor Offense Act (軽犯罪法) Art. 1(33)

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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ChalkingCountry guidance Written rules · draftAdministrative penalties may apply Enforcement · estimatehigh

Written rules

Placing markings or objects on roads/sidewalks without explicit police authorization violates public road traffic laws.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: high. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

No specific penalties or reported outcomes have been added to this entry.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

Road Traffic Act (道路交通法) Art. 77

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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Painting and spray markingCountry guidance Written rules · draftCriminal penalties may apply Enforcement · estimateextremely high

Written rules

High police prosecution rate, widespread CCTV surveillance, mandatory financial restitution, and a permanent criminal record.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: extremely high. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

The seed mentions prosecution, restitution and a criminal record. Its claims about frequency and mandatory outcomes are unverified.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

Penal Code Art. 261 / Minor Offense Act

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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Delivering and handing out leafletsCountry guidance Written rules · draftRestrictions apply Enforcement · estimatehigh

Written rules

Door-to-door posting (posutingu) into residential mailboxes can trigger criminal trespass charges if marked 'No Flyers'.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: high. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

The seed mentions possible trespass charges for residential delivery. No local outcomes have been supplied.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

Penal Code Art. 130 (Criminal Trespass)

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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Singapore

Putting up postersCountry guidance Written rules · draftCriminal or administrative penalties may apply Enforcement · estimateextremely high

Written rules

Strict zero-tolerance enforcement. Fines up to $2,000 SGD, imprisonment, or corrective work orders.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: extremely high. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

The seed lists fines up to SGD 2,000, imprisonment or corrective work orders. The applicable provisions and conditions need checking.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

Vandalism Act (Cap 341) / Infrastructure Protection Act

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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Putting up stickersCountry guidance Written rules · draftCriminal penalties may apply Enforcement · estimateextremely high

Written rules

Treated as illegal defacement/vandalism; active monitoring via CCTV networks and public reporting mobile applications.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: extremely high. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

No specific penalties or reported outcomes have been added to this entry.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

Vandalism Act (Cap 341)

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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ChalkingCountry guidance Written rules · draftCriminal penalties may apply Enforcement · estimateextremely high

Written rules

Treated as public property defacement; subject to strict financial penalties and potential arrest.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: extremely high. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

The seed mentions financial penalties and possible arrest. No local outcomes have been supplied.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

Vandalism Act (Cap 341)

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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Painting and spray markingCountry guidance Written rules · draftCriminal penalties, including possible caning, need careful source review Enforcement · estimatemaximum enforcement

Written rules

Mandatory 3 to 8 strokes of the cane, up to $2,000 SGD fine, and up to 3 years imprisonment. Zero tolerance.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: maximum enforcement. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

The seed lists caning, fines up to SGD 2,000 and imprisonment up to three years. Its claim that caning is mandatory needs checking against the statutory exceptions and circumstances.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

Vandalism Act (Cap 341)

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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Delivering and handing out leafletsCountry guidance Written rules · draftThe seed describes a permission requirement; scope needs review Enforcement · estimatehigh

Written rules

Hand distribution in public places or HDB/condo mailbox drops requires explicit regulatory licenses or building management permits.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: high. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

No specific penalties or reported outcomes have been added to this entry.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

Public Order Act / NEA Regulations

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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United Kingdom

Putting up postersCountry guidance Written rules · draftCivil or criminal penalties may apply Enforcement · estimatehigh

Written rules

Fixed Penalty Notices (£80–£150) or court fines up to £2,500. Banned on public street furniture without local council consent.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: high. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

The seed lists £80–£150 fixed penalties and court fines up to £2,500. The applicable jurisdiction, provision and current amounts need checking.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

Town and Country Planning Act 1990 s224

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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Putting up stickersCountry guidance Written rules · draftCivil penalties may apply Enforcement · estimatemoderate

Written rules

Classified as fly-posting or minor property damage; council wardens issue immediate Fixed Penalty Notices.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: moderate. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

No specific penalties or reported outcomes have been added to this entry.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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ChalkingCountry guidance Written rules · draftThe seed describes a possible offense; scope needs review Enforcement · estimatelow

Written rules

Technically illegal if it causes expense or effort to remove, though rarely prosecuted for non-disruptive sidewalk art.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: low. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

No specific penalties or reported outcomes have been added to this entry.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

Criminal Damage Act 1971 s1

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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Painting and spray markingCountry guidance Written rules · draftCriminal penalties may apply Enforcement · estimatehigh

Written rules

Punishable by fines up to £5,000 or up to 10 years imprisonment for severe damage (>£5,000). Legal on designated council walls.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: high. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

The seed lists fines up to £5,000 and imprisonment up to 10 years for severe damage. These are unreviewed penalty claims, not typical outcomes.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

Criminal Damage Act 1971

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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Delivering and handing out leafletsCountry guidance Written rules · draftAllowed subject to restrictions Enforcement · estimatemoderate

Written rules

England and Wales guidance lists exemptions for distribution on behalf of a charity, for political purposes, or for religion or other beliefs. This source does not establish the rules across the whole UK or for every delivery method.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: moderate. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

No specific penalties or reported outcomes have been added to this entry.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

Leaflet distribution guidance (England and Wales)

Source correction: Added the omitted exemptions and limited the source’s scope to England and Wales. Posted mail, door delivery and hand distribution still need separate guidance.

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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United States

Putting up postersCountry guidance Written rules · draftRestricted without permission Enforcement · estimateLow for casual use

Written rules

Permitted on designated public forum bulletin boards. First Amendment protects content, not physical placement without permit.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: Low for casual use. Covers casual campaign postering and wheatpasting. A contributor with years of US activist experience reports no fines or arrests for themselves or fellow participants. Large commercial posting operations are a separate scale of activity.

Local experience

Source and review

Municipal Codes (Time/Place/Manner Framework)

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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Putting up stickersCountry guidance Written rules · draftCivil penalties or misdemeanor charges may apply Enforcement · estimateLow for casual use

Written rules

Local permission and property-damage rules depend on the city and the surface carrying the sticker.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: Low for casual use. Covers casual campaign stickering. A contributor with years of US activist experience reports no fines or arrests for themselves or fellow participants. Sustained graffiti tagging is assessed separately.

Local experience

Source and review

Municipal Vandalism & Property Damage Laws. Source link needed.

Source correction: Removed the unsupported claim of higher fines on particular surfaces. Added a separate enforcement rating for casual campaign use.

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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Putting up stickersNew York City Written rules · draftOwner or operator permission required Enforcement · estimateLow for casual use

Written rules

Section 10-117(a) requires express permission from the property owner or operator to attach stickers or decals.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: Low for casual use. Applies the casual campaign baseline from the US entry. The contributor describes the arrests discussed in the NY1 report as cases involving sticker artists. Those cases concern a different intensity of activity; sticker removal is also distinct from enforcement against people.

NY1: sticker art and cleanup in NYC (October 6, 2026)

Section 10-117 provides for civil and criminal penalties and sticker-removal costs.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

NYC Administrative Code § 10-117

Source correction: Replaced the unsupported fine range and district-doubling claim with the permission rule in § 10-117. Enforcement is rated separately for casual campaign use.

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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ChalkingCountry guidance Written rules · draftRestrictions and uncertainty depend on the place Enforcement · estimatelow to moderate

Written rules

Temporary water-soluble chalk on public sidewalks is protected in several circuit courts, but banned on transit systems and private property.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: low to moderate. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

No specific penalties or reported outcomes have been added to this entry.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

9th Cir. Precedent / Local Defacement Ordinances

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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Painting and spray markingCountry guidance Written rules · draftCriminal penalties may apply Enforcement · estimatehigh

Written rules

Felony thresholds apply if damage exceeds dollar limits ($250–$1,500). Legal on private property with owner consent or designated legal walls.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: high. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

The seed mentions felony damage thresholds of $250–$1,500 without identifying the states or provisions. These amounts need checking locally.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

State Penal Codes (Criminal Mischief / Vandalism)

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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Delivering and handing out leafletsCountry guidance Written rules · draftAllowed subject to restrictions Enforcement · estimatehigh for mailboxes; low for doorstep delivery

Written rules

Inserting non-stamped items into USPS mailboxes is a federal offense. Doorstep/porch drop is legal unless 'No Solicitation' is posted.

Enforcement
and consequences

Enforcement: high for mailboxes; low for doorstep delivery. Initial draft estimate. Local experience can help refine this rating and the scale of activity it covers.

The seed describes unstamped mailbox delivery as a federal offense. It supplies no observed outcomes.

Local experience

Awaiting local accounts. Share what happened in your area.

Source and review

18 U.S.C. § 1725 (Mailbox Restriction Law)

AI-assisted seed · 2026-09-28 · Full review pending · Revision 1.0.2

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About this guide

The 32 entries began as an AI-assisted draft dated September 28, 2026. That is a source date, not a verification date. Legal summaries, penalties and enforcement estimates still need review. Check each source’s jurisdiction and method: delivering a leaflet, handing it out and attaching it to a surface can involve different rules.

Enforcement ratings describe practical experience for casual campaign activity: putting up stickers or posters, chalking a message or handing out leaflets. The amount, frequency and method matter. Sustained graffiti tagging and large commercial posting operations are assessed separately. Removing material is different from warning, fining or arresting a person.

Ratings draw on local experience and reporting, with the basis stated in each entry. They are qualitative judgments about the activity and scale described there. Statutory penalties appear separately under written consequences.

Add what you know locally

Correct a rule, add a missing place, or describe an encounter and its outcome. Include the area, approximate date and activity. Firsthand experience is welcome without an official source.

Suggestions go to the TraceReach team for review before publication. Differing accounts can appear together. Email is optional and used only to follow up. Leave out names, exact addresses and other identifying details.

The guide informs your choices. It does not decide whether you can record a Drop or treat a legal restriction as a judgment about your cause.

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