Staking out your spot with spray paint or tape for the Bermuda Day Parade is an offence and a nuisance for the cleanup after May 24, the City of Hamilton has warned.

Corporation officials spoke out about the annual aggravation after a number of locations along Dutton Avenue got spray-painted this week.

“The problem with the marking off of space for the parade is a constant issue every year,” senior engineer Ian Hind told The Royal Gazette.

“The roping off and reserving of any space with the use of spray paint or tape is in direct violation of the Hamilton ordinances that prohibit the defacing of any city property.”

Reserving a spot for May 24 is a Bermuda tradition — but the policy for the marking of spaces for the parade states that nothing should be staked out before 10pm on the night before.

“Every year we encounter the same problems,” Mr Hind added. “People need to be made aware that any tape, string or rope that is used before this time is subject to removal.”