Building permits in Granada: what your renovation needs

Declaración responsable: most interior renovations

Under Andalusia's planning law (LISTA, 2021), works that don't affect the structure or change the use of the property are processed with a declaración responsable — a sworn statement filed with the town hall. You submit it with the required documents and can start; the town hall checks afterwards.

A declaración responsable is usually enough for:

• Renovating a bathroom or kitchen without touching load-bearing walls.
• Replacing floors, wall tiles, ceilings or internal doors.
• Renewing plumbing and electrics.
• Painting and minor interior repairs.

Building licence: structure, extensions and new builds

You need a licencia urbanística, with a project signed by an architect or building engineer, when the work:

• Affects the structure: load-bearing walls, floors or beams.
• Increases the floor area or volume: an extra storey, enclosing a porch or terrace.
• Is a new house or a demolition.
• Changes the use, for example from commercial premises to a home.

Licences take longer, so apply early and don't fix the start date until you have it.

Albaicín, Realejo and the historic centre

Much of central Granada, the Albaicín, the Sacromonte and the Realejo are protected as a historic site. There, work that affects the exterior (facade, roof, windows, balconies, colours) or protected features also needs heritage approval before the licence or declaración. There are specific rules on materials, colours and joinery, and timescales are longer. More about renovating in the Albaicín →

What you pay

• Construction tax (ICIO): a percentage of the construction budget, set by each town hall.
• Planning fee for processing the application.
• Public highway occupation if a skip or scaffolding goes on the street, with its own permit.

Each town around Granada (Armilla, Maracena, Las Gabias…) has its own by-laws and fees, although the process is the same.

Frequently asked questions