Do I need permission to enclose my terrace in Spain?
Usually yes: in a building or urbanisation you need the agreement of the community of owners (comunidad de propietarios) and the town hall's permission. Here are both steps and the rules behind them.
Updated 12/10/2026 · General information, not legal advice
1. The community of owners
Spain's Horizontal Property Act (Ley de Propiedad Horizontal, LPH) lets each owner carry out work in their home as long as it does not change the outside appearance of the building, and the community is told beforehand (article 7.1). Enclosing a terrace does change the facade, so the law deals with it separately.
Article 17.4 requires, for enclosing terraces, a vote in favour by three fifths of all owners who also hold three fifths of the participation shares. Unanimity is not needed, but a vote at the owners' meeting is.
- Ask for the item to be put on the agenda of the owners' meeting (junta).
- Bring a specific proposal: system (glass curtain or sliding door), frame colour and photos or a drawing.
- Many communities approve one model for the whole building, so neighbours who enclose later use the same one.
- Keep the minutes (acta): the town hall usually asks for them.
Law 4/2026 changes the wording of article 10 of the LPH from 23/10/2026. If your meeting is held after that date, check the required majority with your property administrator (administrador de fincas).
2. The town hall
Besides the community, an enclosure is building work that has to be notified to or authorised by the town hall (ayuntamiento). The procedure depends on the municipality:
- Alicante has a specific rule (Instrucción 6/2017): the enclosure needs a minor works licence (licencia de obra menor), the community agreement, a project signed by a qualified technician and one design for the whole building. It must not increase the usable floor area, and it is not allowed on protected buildings or in some cases such as penthouses and roof terraces.
- Torrevieja and other towns handle many works with a declaración responsable (a sworn statement filed online). Whether a particular enclosure fits that procedure or needs a licence is decided case by case: ask the planning department (urbanismo) before starting.
Enclosing without permits can lead to a fine or an order to remove the enclosure, and it can also cause problems when you sell.
3. How we help
- We measure the terrace and give you the drawing and technical data sheet of the system for the owners' meeting and the town hall.
- We can make the same model and colour for several neighbours if the community approves one design.
- We advise you on the system: a glass curtain without vertical frames, or a thermally broken sliding door if you want more insulation.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Does a frameless glass curtain also need permission?
In general yes: even if it opens completely, when closed it changes how the facade looks and encloses the terrace. So it is safest to treat it like any enclosure: community agreement and the town hall procedure.
What majority does the community need?
Article 17.4 of the Horizontal Property Act requires a vote in favour by three fifths of the owners holding three fifths of the shares. Check your community's statutes too.
Do I need an architect or a project?
It depends on the town hall. In Alicante, for example, a project signed by a qualified technician is required. We give you the drawing and the technical data sheet of the system for the technician or the town hall.
Want to enclose your terrace?
Send us the width, height and a photo: we give you a guide price and the drawing to show at your owners' meeting.