A neighbor from the old town called me in a panic: they wanted to paint the living room and lay vinyl flooring, but feared an inspector might show up. I told them what I’m telling you: if it’s indoors and you’re not touching structure or façade, you’re on the right track. From there, we packed the “project suitcase”: easy stuff on top, “quick paperwork” in the middle, and the permit-only items at the bottom. Let’s get to it.
In 30 seconds: your Altea traffic light
- Green (exempt): interior work with no demolition and nothing visible from the street.
- Amber (responsible declaration): “serious” interior refit with no structure or façade changes (bathrooms/kitchens, services).
- Red (minor/major works license): anything visible from the street, affecting structure, or placing equipment in public space.
Action → Procedure → Key documents
| Typical work | Procedure | Key documents |
|---|---|---|
| Interior painting, laminate flooring, minor drywall patching | Exempt or Responsible Declaration (if the scope increases) | ID/address, “before” photos; if RD: short brief, before/after plan, budget estimate |
| Bathroom/kitchen without touching the façade or structure | Responsible Declaration | Report/memo, before/after plan, budget estimate, proof of fee payment |
| Windows on the façade, awnings, visible outdoor A/C unit | Minor works permit | Sketch/project, technical report, aesthetic sheet (if applicable) |
| Remove a partition wall, create a new interior opening | Minor works permit | Sketch/project, simple calculation (if needed), waste management |
Low-stress interior jobs: what’s usually free of permits
- Interior painting. Façade color is a different story.
- Replacing furniture and loose equipment (sofa, modular cabinets, appliances that don’t alter the installation).
- Spot replacements in services: a faucet, a light fixture, a radiator swapped like-for-like.
- Interior doors inside the dwelling. The front door and windows count as façade.
Quick hint: if you can’t see it from the street and there’s no rubble, it’s usually exempt.
“Dry” makeovers with minimal mess
- Light drywall partitions to re-organize space without touching columns or beams.
- Floating floors (vinyl/laminate) over the existing one, no demolition.
When the scope grows (several rooms, small tweaks to services), the smart move is filing a responsible declaration: lightweight paperwork that lets you start with peace of mind.
Kitchen and bathroom glow-up: when the responsible declaration fits
Perfect for:
- New tiles and flooring.
- Replacing sanitaryware and cabinets without moving façade openings.
- Service changes inside (plumbing/electrics) with same use and capacity.
Think of the responsible declaration as a fast-track license: short scope note, a simple “before/after” plan and a budget. You move forward without long waits.
Real mini-cases: 3 examples that clear doubts
- Painting + laminate floor in a 70 m² flat: exempt; if you add new sockets or move outlets, better responsible declaration.
- Kitchen refit without touching façade: responsible declaration; if you need a skip for two days, request public space occupation.
- Replacing windows in the old town: minor works license + aesthetic criteria (color, profiles and finishes in line with the street).
Paperwork checklist by procedure (so you hit it first try)
- Exempt
- ID and property address
- “Before” photos to keep as reference
- Responsible declaration
- Short scope note and before/after plan
- Budget and fee receipt, if applicable
- Confirm work is interior, with no scaffolds or public space occupation
- Building legally established and no heritage constraints
- Minor works license
- Everything above + sketch or project (depending on scope)
- Health & Safety measures if required
Where a license is already required: façade and reconfiguration
- Exterior joinery (windows/doors to the façade): changes the building’s image.
- Awnings and pergolas: alter the look and may encroach on public space.
- Air conditioning on the façade: visible units, grilles, core drills and trunking.
- Demolishing partitions and new openings: usually minor works (sometimes with a sketch, sometimes with a project, case by case).
Mental shortcut: structure or anything visible from the street = license.
Don’t touch the street without permission: skips, scaffolds and storage
| Street element | Required permit | Practical tips |
|---|---|---|
| Rubble container (skip) | Public right-of-way occupation + fee | Request it 48–72 hours in advance; schedule demolition on day 1 |
| Scaffolding | Public right-of-way occupation + safety conditions | Mark it and place a visible sign; check street width in historic areas |
| Material stockpiles or barriers | Public right-of-way occupation | Set realistic dates; avoid unnecessary extensions |
This is where many avoidable fines happen. As soon as you put anything in public space (skip, scaffold, fence, materials), you need occupation authorization and a fee.
Good neighbors, quiet works: keep it clean
- Respect reasonable hours and notify the HOA if there’ll be short noisy tasks.
- Protect common areas (lift, stairs) so you don’t leave a mark.
- Control dust and debris: sealed bags and frequent removal.
Sensitive areas: old town and aesthetics
| Element | Typical aesthetic criterion | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior joinery (windows/doors) | Subtle colors and profiles that match the street | Bring a photo of your façade and two of the surroundings to choose the finish |
| Awnings | Plain, no logos; discreet system | Confirm color/fabric before ordering |
| Grilles/railings | Design consistent with local typology | Avoid glossy finishes; prioritize matte or wrought iron |
In protected areas, the Town Hall looks closely at colors, textures and traditional elements. If in doubt, bring 4 photos (your façade, two from the street and one wider view). Thirty minutes of chat can save weeks.
Which permit do you need for your renovation?
| Work | Procedure | Quick note |
|---|---|---|
| Interior painting, laminate flooring, minor drywall patching | Exempt | Keep “before” photos and the invoice |
| Bathroom/kitchen without touching the façade or structure | Responsible Declaration | Brief report + before/after plan + budget |
| Windows, awnings, façade A/C unit; removing partition walls | Minor works | Check aesthetic criteria if applicable |
Classic mistakes that get expensive (and how to dodge them)
- “No one’s watching”: once the skip arrives, everyone’s watching. Fix: visible public space occupation permit.
- Ordering windows without asking first: color/finish don’t match and you pay twice. Fix: aesthetic check upfront.
- Moving a kitchen ignoring drains: siphon smells and a halted job. Fix: check slopes and routes; if you change them, declare it.
- Forgetting the homeowners’ association: patio scaffolds, noise, schedules… Fix: notify in time and get a short note if needed.
Smart budgeting: keep the project moving
- Split into three envelopes: exempt, responsible declaration, license. If one is delayed, you keep going with the others.
- Set aside a line for fees and paperwork: that’s legal safety, not wasted money.
- Lock finishes before filing: in aesthetic areas, color drives approvals.
If you get lost, I’ll explain it like to a friend
Tell me what you want to do and I’ll give you the traffic light: green (exempt), amber (RD), red (license). Clear as water.
We make it easy, without stress
We treat every project as if it were our own: we’ll tell you for free whether your case is exempt, needs a responsible declaration, or a license, and if you like, we’ll prepare and file everything so you can start without hiccups. Tell me your idea and I’ll reply in two lines with the shortest legal path.
I’ll close like I started with that neighbor: we painted the living room, laid vinyl over the old floor, and scheduled air conditioning for later with its license and approved aesthetics. The inspector stopped by, saw the paperwork and kept walking. Your home, same deal: first the safe bits, then the pretty ones, and always by the book.
For more municipal information (Altea Town Hall)
Public Space Use Ordinance of Altea (public space occupation):
https://altea-old.altea.es/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Ordenanza-de-Usos-de-Zonas-de-Uso-Público-de-Altea.pdf
Responsible declaration for works and installations (template/guide):
https://altea.es/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Declaracion-responsable-de-obras-y-instalaciones.pdf
Municipal ordinance regulating the Responsible Declaration procedure:
https://altea.es/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Ordenanza-Municipal-Reguladora-Del-Procedimiento-De-Tramitacion-De-Declaracion-Responsable-Del-Ayuntamiento-De-Altea..pdf
License for other urban actions (cases that don’t go via RD):
https://altea.es/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Licencia-de-Otras-Actuaciones-Urbanisticas.pdf
Old Town PERI Ordinances (criteria for protected areas):
https://altea.es/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ORDENANZAS-PERI-CASCO-ANTIGUO.pdf
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