Licences, first occupation, enforcement proceedings and planning fines. We put you in touch with an English-speaking lawyer who specialises in planning law.
Knowing whether your building work needs a licence (planning permission) or whether a responsible declaration (declaración responsable) is enough saves you official requests, delays and halted works.
When the work is finished
First occupation, utility connections and the new-build deed all depend on everything matching what was authorised.
If the town hall says no
Refusals, stop-work orders and fines have short deadlines for appeal: it pays to act from day one.
Services
Planning law services
Choose the procedure and we'll explain how it works before you take any step.
What you need to know and how we put you in touch with the right specialist, without the jargon.
When you need a specialist
What to prepare for your first consultation
How we put you in touch with the specialist
Common cases
The most common planning cases
From the first permit to the finished home: find yours.
01
You are about to start building work
New builds, extensions or work on the structure or the façade generally need a major works licence (licencia de obra mayor); simple renovations are usually handled with a responsible declaration (declaración responsable).
02
You have finished the building work
To live in it you need the first occupation licence (licencia de primera ocupación) or, depending on the region, the responsible declaration that replaces it. Electricity, water and gas companies usually ask for it.
03
You are buying a new-build home
Before signing the title deed, check that the developer has the first occupation licence or has filed the responsible declaration. The bank will require it too.
04
A new building with several owners
It is divided under the horizontal property regime (propiedad horizontal) and the owners' community is set up: founding deed, participation shares, statutes, first meeting and tax number (NIF). Changing the founding deed or the statutes generally requires unanimity.
Can't see your situation here?
Tell us about it: we'll find the specialist to handle it.
Planning law decides what is built, where and how, with rules set by each region (autonomous community) and each town hall. A specialist planning lawyer helps you comply with them or defend yourself before the authorities.
01
Licences and responsible declarations
The lawyer checks the project against the planning rules, prepares the application for the building licence (licencia de obra), the responsible declaration or the prior notice (comunicación previa), and answers the town hall’s requests. When the work is finished, they handle the first occupation licence or the declaration that replaces it, which is needed to register the new build.
02
Planning enforcement proceedings
Building work with no licence, or which doesn’t match what was authorised, can end in a stop-work order, restoration of planning legality (even demolition) and a fine; the time limits and the chances of legalising it depend on each region. If you are going to buy, check the risks of buying a home.
03
Owners' communities and builders
When a building with several homes is finished, you need to set up the owners’ community: a mistake there leads to disputes that drag on for years. With delays or construction defects, where property and planning law meet, the lawyer assesses who to claim against.
Appeals against the town hall
If your licence is refused, it is granted with conditions that don’t comply with the rules, or the application isn’t moving forward, you can appeal. In general, there is one month for an appeal for reconsideration (recurso de reposición) and two months to go to the administrative courts (juzgados de lo contencioso-administrativo).
Licence, fine, appeal or owners' community, and the municipality: that's all we need.
02
02A specialist
A planning lawyer reviews it
A lawyer specialising in planning law studies your case and contacts you.
03
03No obligation
You decide with all the facts
You know the options, deadlines and quote before you take any step.
No-obligation enquiry
Tell us about your building work
Licence, fine or appeal against the town hall: it takes 2 minutes, and a planning lawyer will contact you.
It costs nothing to enquire
Your details, always confidential
No obligation to hire anyone
Your enquiry
Under 2 min
Confidential
No obligation
Frequently asked questions
Questions about planning lawyers
What does a planning lawyer do?
They advise and defend individuals and businesses before the authorities on land and building matters: licences, planning rules, penalties, appeals and disputes with builders or developers.
How much does a specialist planning lawyer cost?
It depends on the matter: processing a licence doesn't cost the same as appealing against a demolition order. Ask for a written quote before they start.
What can I do if the town hall refuses my building licence?
An appeal for reconsideration (recurso de reposición) within one month or, directly, the administrative courts within two months. First, it is worth looking at the reason: sometimes changing the project is enough.
What happens if I carry out building work without a licence?
A stop-work order, proceedings to restore planning legality and a fine. If the work can be legalised, you are usually given a period to apply for the licence; if not, demolition may be ordered.
Can a planning lawyer claim against the builder?
Yes: defects are claimed against the developer, the builder or the technical professionals within the guarantee periods of the Building Act (Ley de Ordenación de la Edificación): one, three or ten years depending on the defect.
What the people we put in touch with their lawyer tell us.
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From the very first moment they inspired a lot of confidence. They explained everything clearly and answered my questions in a friendly, professional way. Without a doubt, a very positive experience.
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Excellent treatment and impeccable service. I especially appreciate that they explained the different options available and the steps I needed to follow. Very professional and attentive.
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I was looking for advice and found a team that made me feel listened to from the start. I would highlight how clearly they explain things, how approachable they are and the peace of mind they give you throughout the whole process.
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