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Following an agreement to assume regulatory powers from the Generalitat, the Torrevieja Council has announced the creation of a dedicated department to handle sanctions and urban compatibility certificates.
The surge in applications for tourist rental licenses has overwhelmed municipal services, as was highlighted during Monday’s plenary session by Sueña Torrevieja spokesperson Pablo Samper.
The opposition councillor raised concerns about delays in processing urban compatibility certificates, citing reports from multiple property owners. According to Samper, these procedures can take more than six months, leading to numerous complaints from the public.
Addressing the issue, Samper questioned Mayor Eduardo Dolón and Councillor for Urban Management Sandra Sánchez (PP) on the number of pending files, average processing times from 2022 to 2024, projections for 2025, the staffing of the new department, as well as measures to accelerate the process.
In response, Sánchez revealed that there are currently 858 applications pending review, 823 applications requiring corrections already communicated to owners, and 815 awaiting technical reports. In total, 2,496 properties still require administrative approval so that they can operate legally.
Sánchez explained that processing times depend on the volume of applications and noted that the Council has now signed an agreement with the Generalitat Valenciana to improve service efficiency. As part of this initiative, a dedicated department will be established to handle tourist housing certifications and related procedures. The agreement, signed last week at Fitur by Mayor Eduardo Dolón, also includes the municipalities of Alicante, Elche, and Benidorm.
Last September, Dolón announced that the Council would formally request the Consell to delegate powers regarding the supervision and regulation of tourist accommodations. This move follows the approval of Decree Law 9/2024, allowing the municipality to initiate sanctioning proceedings—previously the sole responsibility of the regional administration.
Torrevieja has seen significant growth in tourist accommodations, ranking first in the province of Alicante and seventh in Spain, according to INE data. With 69% of homes in the city classified as second residences, the need for enhanced regulation has become increasingly evident.
In April 2024, Sueña Torrevieja proposed establishing a dedicated police unit to inspect and register tourist apartments, but the motion was rejected by the PP, which argued it encroached on Generalitat authority. However, under the new legal framework, the Council is now committed to taking a more proactive role in overseeing and regulating tourist accommodations.
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