Barcelona building works licence
Ingenieria BCN: Barcelona building works licence: A building works licence is a permit or authorisation granted by the local council, or by the competent local authority, to carry out any type of building work or construction. This building works licence is mandatory and must be applied for before the commencement of the works, as the purpose of this permit is to regulate the legality of the works and urban planning requirements.
At Ingenieria BCN, we handle all types of building works licences, ensuring their correct application and compliance with all current regulations, while meeting the expectations and needs of each client. We carry out all procedures and administrative formalities from start to finish, as well as providing advice to each client, guiding and assisting them at all times.
The type of permit or building works licence depends on the works to be carried out as part of the renovation and on the requirements established by the local council of the municipality where the works are to take place, where the building permit must be applied for.
There are three categories of building permits.
- Works notice or assabentat de obres.
- Minor Building Works Licence (immediate notice and deferred notice).
- Major Building Works Licence.
Works notification (assabentat)
These are minor internal works or repairs that do not, under any circumstances, affect or alter the layout, structure, load-bearing elements or façade of the property, provided that the building is not listed or subject to heritage or planning protection. In other words, they consist of simple, small-scale repair, maintenance or decorative works.
This building works licence or works notice is processed online through each local council’s procedures portal, and the renovation works may begin the day after the licence has been obtained. It is valid for 3 months, although depending on the local council it may be valid for longer. It is a highly requested licence due to its simplicity, speed and low cost, and in many cases this building works licence is requested in order to start more complex renovation works while a minor or major building works licence is being processed and obtained.
We specialise in the online processing of this type of building works licence, both through the Barcelona City Council procedures portal via the Barcelona City Council website and through any other local authority across Catalonia.
Minor Works Licence (immediate or deferred notification)
These are minor internal works or repairs that do not, under any circumstances, affect or alter the structure, load-bearing elements or façade of the property, but do alter the internal layout. In other words, they consist of simple, small-scale repair, decorative and layout alteration works.
This minor building works licence must be processed by a qualified professional. The professional prepares the technical building project and, through an Environmental Control Entity (EAC) and the local council, the Technical Suitability Report is processed. This report is subsequently submitted online by an accredited professional to Barcelona City Council, and the building works licence is then obtained. It is very important to note that the building works licence or works notice must always be processed before the works commence.
There are two types of minor building works licence in Barcelona City Council: the Immediate Notice and the Deferred Notice. This classification depends on the type of property, its urban planning classification and any heritage protection status where the renovation works are to be carried out, and is determined when the preliminary consultation is carried out on the Barcelona City Council website at the start of the procedures to obtain a building works licence in Barcelona.
Immediate Notice
The Immediate Notice is a type of licence that takes approximately 15–30 days to process, which is the time required for the Environmental Control Entity (EAC) to issue the Technical Suitability Report. Once this favourable report has been obtained, it is submitted online to the local council and, once the licence has been granted, the works may commence the day after the licence has been issued and the fees have been paid.
Deferred Notice
The Deferred Notice is a type of permit with a procedure very similar to that of the Immediate Notice. This type of application is generally required when the property is listed as a heritage asset or is subject to any kind of planning or other restriction, in which case the local council must review the proposed renovation works. The Deferred Notice takes approximately 15–30 days to process, depending on whether a prior heritage report is required, which has a period of one month for review and response to the application. The Technical Suitability Report is obtained through an Environmental Control Entity (EAC). Once this favourable report has been issued, it is submitted online to the local council, which then has one month to review the documentation and raise any objections. If, one month after submitting the documentation and paying the fees, the local council has not raised any objections, the renovation works may commence.
Both the Immediate Notice and the Deferred Notice require a technical project and supporting technical documentation, all prepared and signed by a qualified and registered professional. A Technical Suitability Report issued by an administrative collaborating entity is also required.
Major Building Works Licence
These are works that affect the structure of a building, such as extensions, restructuring, restoration or refurbishment of a property, major building renovations, alterations to façades, construction of new storeys, extensions to buildings involving changes in height and/or volume, installation of external lifts, subdivision or amalgamation of dwellings or commercial premises, and changes of use from commercial premises to residential use or from residential use to commercial premises.
This licence must be processed by a qualified chartered professional, who prepares an executive project, after which the major building works licence is applied for through the relevant local council. Once the application has been submitted, the major building works licence processed and the fees paid, the local council has a period of two months to review the documentation and raise any objections. Once this period has elapsed, the works may commence.
To carry out these tasks legally, safely and to avoid penalties, it is advisable to appoint an accredited professional. At Ingenieria BCN, we have extensive experience in the processing and obtaining of building works licences, as well as in their management and supervision. Thanks to our team of professionals, we are able to resolve any issues or unforeseen circumstances that may arise during the execution of your works in an agile, efficient and straightforward manner.
Professionals specialising in project preparation and the management of all types of building works.
Ingenieria BCN offers a comprehensive service for the management and processing of building works licences. We are responsible for preparing the corresponding technical building project, signed by a qualified professional, managing all procedures with the Environmental Control Entity to obtain the Technical Suitability Report, as well as the online submission by the accredited professional and monitoring the process with the relevant local council until the final building works licence is granted. We also provide ongoing advice to each client to help them achieve their objectives, including construction management, technical advice and supervision of the works until completion.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will provide you with a no-obligation assessment and quotation to help deliver your project efficiently and cost-effectively.
External References: Online Processing of Building Works Licences.
It is very important to understand that, in order to avoid any problems, alterations or unforeseen issues, a building works licence must always be applied for and obtained before renovation works commence, both in Barcelona and in the other municipalities of the Province of Barcelona, Catalonia and Spain.
We undertake all types of construction projects.
1. Building works licence for commercial premises.
2. Building works licence for industrial units.
3. Building works licence for offices.
4. Licencia de obras para Hoteles, Hostales y albergues.
5. Building works licence for restaurant bars.
6. Building works licence for workshops.
7. Building works licence for shops.
8. Assabentat notice.
9. Building works licence in Barcelona.
10. Construction management.
11. Projects for interior renovations.
12. Surveying and drafting of plans.
13. Health and safety coordination.
14. Health and safety study.
15. Health and safety plan.
16. Management services for obtaining building licences and permits.
17. Legal notice.
