It’s one of the questions Ciudad Quesada homeowners ask us most before starting a renovation: do I need permission from the town hall?
Short answer: it depends on the type of work. The long answer — with the three types of paperwork, timescales and approximate costs — is right here.
One important fact before we start: Ciudad Quesada belongs to the municipality of Rojales, so all paperwork goes through Rojales town hall — not Torrevieja, not Guardamar.
The three levels of paperwork in Quesada (Rojales)
1. Responsible declaration — declaración responsable (minor interior works)
For most interior renovations a responsible declaration is enough: a document submitted by the owner (or by us on your behalf) declaring that the work complies with regulations. There’s no waiting for approval — work can start once it’s filed.
It covers jobs like:
- Bathroom or kitchen renovation (without touching load-bearing walls)
- New floors and wall tiling
- Painting and false ceilings
- Replacing sanitaryware and interior doors
- Renewing plumbing or electrics without altering the structure
Cost: a municipal fee plus ICIO (construction tax), both calculated on the works budget. For a typical bathroom renovation it’s a small percentage of the total.
2. Minor works licence — licencia de obra menor
Some works affecting the exterior or communal elements need a minor works licence with prior town hall approval:
- Boundary walls and fencing
- Pergolas and terrace enclosures
- Facade and roof repairs
- Pools: significant repairs to the shell
Approval time: usually between 2 weeks and 2 months depending on the town hall’s workload.
3. Major works licence — licencia de obra mayor
You need a technical project signed by an architect and a licence granted in advance for:
- Extensions (adding built square metres)
- Structural changes or load-bearing walls
- Building a new pool
- New builds
Approval time: 1 to 3 months or more. Plan well ahead.
What happens if I do the work without a licence?
Quesada has fairly active planning enforcement — local police and municipal inspectors do check, especially works visible from the street.
Working without the right paperwork can mean:
- Immediate stoppage of the works
- Fines proportional to the value of what’s been built
- Problems when selling: unregistered works show up in conveyancing checks and can kill a sale
It’s not worth it. The paperwork costs very little compared to the risk.
Who handles the licence: me or the builder?
When you work with us, we handle it. It’s part of our service:
- We identify which type of paperwork your project needs
- We prepare the documentation (itemised budget, technical report, drawings if required)
- We file it with Rojales town hall
- We follow it through to approval
You just sign. And if the project needs an architect, we work with local technicians who know the Rojales regulations inside out.
Quick questions
Can I renovate my bathroom without telling anyone? You need at least the responsible declaration. It’s quick and simple — don’t risk skipping it.
Does my community of owners need to approve the work? If you live in a community (apartments, terraced bungalows) and the work affects the facade, communal terraces or structural elements, yes. For interior work, notifying them is usually enough.
How long does Rojales town hall take? The responsible declaration is immediate. Minor works, weeks. Major works, months. That’s why we always say: if you have a target date, start the paperwork as early as possible.
Is the ICIO tax always payable? Yes — it’s a percentage of the works budget, paid when the paperwork is filed. We calculate it and include it in your quote so there are no surprises.
I don’t speak Spanish. Is that a problem? Not at all. We deal with the town hall and prepare everything in Spanish, and explain it all to you in English.
Planning a renovation in Ciudad Quesada?
Tell us what you want to do, and at the first visit we’ll tell you exactly which paperwork your project needs and how long it will take. The visit and quote are free.
📱 WhatsApp: 674 539 594 📧 contacto@reformasmyron.com
We work in English and Spanish.
