Cádiz city council halts new tourist accommodation registrations

The move will include a revision to the General Urban Development Plan (PGOU) restricting tourist-use housing in key areas

The Cádiz City Council has announced a temporary suspension on the registration of new tourist accommodation across the city, as it prepares to make permanent changes to the General Urban Development Plan (PGOU). The proposed amendment will prohibit the development of these types of accommodations on the ground, first, and second floors of buildings in the Extramuros district.

This decision will be brought to a plenary session in April, with Mayor Bruno García stating that it marks an important step in the city’s ongoing efforts to curb the expansion of tourist housing. "From the moment we took office, we have been committed to reducing the number of tourist properties in Cádiz," he explained, adding that this new proposal is a "decisive measure."

As part of its commitment, the City Council, in collaboration with the Andalusian Regional Government, has already removed 425 homes from the Tourist Housing Registry for failing to meet urban planning regulations. By the end of 2024, the council expects the number of tourist-use homes to have dropped by 49.

In addition to the suspension, the council has imposed fines of up to 10,000 euros for those continuing to operate illegally despite being removed from the registry. The previous city government had already taken steps to restrict tourist housing, particularly in the historic centre and areas outside the city walls, but had left the ground, first, and second floors of buildings in these zones unaffected.

However, the council believes the 2022 regulations, which did not go far enough, need updating. The latest decree from the Andalusian Regional Government now allows councils more flexibility in setting local urban planning restrictions, and Cádiz is making full use of this opportunity to tighten its policies.

Mayor García also emphasised the council’s priority to create more housing for residents. In addition to 106 new homes planned for construction this year through the public housing agency Procasa, the council hopes the PGOU amendment will prevent further growth in the tourist accommodation sector.

The proposed changes will be available for public consultation for 20 days, allowing all affected parties to have their say before the proposal is formally presented to the plenary session next month.

Image: juv/Pexels