Minor Works Licence in Adeje: What You Need to Know Before Renovating
Thinking about renovating your apartment in Costa Adeje or giving your villa a well-deserved facelift? Before you grab your hammer and channel your inner DIY spirit, there’s one thing you need to know: in Spain, almost any home improvement requires permission from the town hall — and Adeje is no exception.
What is a licencia de obra menor?
A licencia de obra menor (minor works licence) is an official permit issued by the Ayuntamiento de Adeje for small-scale renovations. Think of it as the town hall’s way of saying: “Yes, you can change that bathroom floor without causing chaos for your neighbours.”
It covers works that do not alter the main structure of the building and don’t change the external look of the property. No heavy machinery, no demolishing load-bearing walls, and no drastic façade makeovers.
👉 Typical examples include:
- Replacing tiles, floors, or ceilings.
- Upgrading plumbing or electrical systems.
- Painting interiors or exteriors (depending on the area).
- Installing new doors or windows that don’t alter the façade.
- Non-structural partition changes inside the property.
Other terms you may encounter
When dealing with Spanish paperwork, expect a few extra keywords:
- Licencia de obra mayor – for big renovations like extensions, major façade changes, or anything involving structural elements.
- Declaración responsable – a simplified declaration some municipalities use for very small jobs (in Adeje it’s less common, but worth asking).
- Tasa municipal de obras – the municipal fee you pay when applying.
- ICIO (Impuesto sobre Construcciones, Instalaciones y Obras) – a tax applied to construction works, usually between 2–6% of your project’s budget.
(For official info check the Gobierno de Canarias or consult the Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos de Tenerife.)
How to apply in Adeje
The Ayuntamiento de Adeje handles all applications. The process usually looks like this:
- Prepare your paperwork – description of the works, plans (if needed), budget, and ID/NIE. (Need help with documents? See our guide on NIE in Adeje – Do You Really Need It?)
- Submit your application – either online via the Ayuntamiento’s sede electrónica (electronic office) or in person at the Citizen Services Office (Oficina de Atención al Ciudadano).
- Pay the fees – generally between €20–€50 for minor works, plus the ICIO tax based on the cost of your project.
- Wait for approval – in some cases a few days, in others a couple of weeks. The Ayuntamiento may send an inspector to verify that your works fall into the “minor” category.
A quick warning
Each municipality in Spain interprets the rules differently. For example, in Barcelona, changing exterior windows counts as obra mayor, while in Adeje it may be treated as obra menor if the size and look remain the same.
If you’re planning bigger projects like extensions, check our guide: Buying a Home in Adeje: What You Should Know– it also covers how renovations impact property value.
Skipping this step could result in fines or — worse — being told to undo the work you’ve just paid for. Not the kind of renovation surprise you want.
| Example of Works | Category | Permit Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Painting interior walls | Minor | Licencia de obra menor |
| Painting exterior walls (same color, no façade change) | Minor | Licencia de obra menor |
| Changing bathroom or kitchen tiles | Minor | Licencia de obra menor |
| Replacing floors (laminate, ceramic, parquet) | Minor | Licencia de obra menor |
| Installing new interior doors | Minor | Licencia de obra menor |
| Replacing non-load-bearing partition walls | Minor | Licencia de obra menor |
| Upgrading plumbing or electrical systems | Minor | Licencia de obra menor |
| Installing air conditioning (indoor units) | Minor | Licencia de obra menor |
| Small repairs to roofs or terraces | Minor | Licencia de obra menor |
| Installing fitted wardrobes or cabinetry | Minor | Licencia de obra menor |
| Replacing windows or doors (same size, same look) | Minor | Licencia de obra menor |
| Renovating a bathroom (without moving walls) | Minor | Licencia de obra menor |
| Installing awnings (toldos) inside private terraces | Minor | Licencia de obra menor |
| Knocking down a load-bearing wall | Major | Licencia de obra mayor |
| Enlarging rooms by moving walls | Major | Licencia de obra mayor |
| Changing exterior façade (different materials/colors) | Major | Licencia de obra mayor |
| Adding balconies or terraces | Major | Licencia de obra mayor |
| Installing a swimming pool | Major | Licencia de obra mayor |
| Building an extension (new rooms, extra floor) | Major | Licencia de obra mayor |
| Changing roof structure or height | Major | Licencia de obra mayor |
| Opening new exterior windows | Major | Licencia de obra mayor |
| Converting a garage into living space | Major | Licencia de obra mayor |
| Installing solar panels (visible from façade/roof) | Major | Licencia de obra mayor |
| Merging two apartments into one | Major | Licencia de obra mayor |
Final tip
If your project seems small, ask anyway. Ayuntamiento staff in Adeje can quickly confirm if you need a licencia de obra menor, a bigger permit, or just a simple declaración responsable.
👉 For newcomers, don’t miss our guide: Moving to Costa Adeje – Residency Tips & Tricks
