Are building licenses required and what is the procedure?

Often clients are under the mistaken idea that a license is not required when reforming their new purchase and modernising the interior of the property. Unfortunately this is not the case, a license should always be sought even for quite minor works. The consequences of not obtaining a suitable license can be expensive and time consuming to resolve.

The only exceptions are for water tanks and septic tanks.

MINOR WORKS PERMIT (LICENCIA MENOR)

- for walls, terraces, and barbecue area and general reforms. These can be obtained at the Town Hall. A licencia de obra menor is required. You will need to provide a summary of the construction you plan to have completed and an estimate of the final costs, so that the Town Hall can calculate the taxes. Usually there is a standard fee payable based as a percentage of the total works.

MAJOR WORKS PERMIT (LICENCIA MAJOR)

- for new buildings, demolitions, or remodelling. For this form of permit, you must have technical drawings of the proposed works from an architect who is registered with the Spanish Architectural College. Builders should be involved at the outset and must also approve the plans., an estimate of the costs will need to be submitted. The fees involved with this type of permit can be as much as 6% of the construction costs, payable to the Town Hall, the Architects fees will be paid separately.

LT Construction can assist you in this complex and often baffling process.