Minor building permit (comunicación previa or declaración responsable)

What you need to have ready

1. Cl@ve, certificado digital or DNIe to access the sede electrónica.
2. Referencia catastral or the exact address of the flat/premises (you can look it up at https://www.sedecatastro.gob.es).
3. Clear description of the works: what you do, where and how (not a novel, but not one-liners either).
4. Quote broken down by materials and labour, preferably signed by the contractor.
5. Contractor details (CIF/NIF, address) if any. If you do it yourself, state so.
6. Phone and email for ayuntamiento notifications.

Documentation

1. DNI/NIE and, if you act for another person, authorisation/representation.
2. Descriptive report of the works (purpose, scope, materials, safety and neighbour protection measures).
3. Simple sketches/plans with measurements before and after. Mark partitions to be demolished if any.
4. Quote with breakdown. If you try to lower the ICIO base artificially, they can request invoices later.
5. Photos of the current state.
6. Authorisation from the community or owner if you’re not the title holder.
7. Request for occupation of public land (container/scaffold) if applicable.

Step by step

1. Go to the sede electrónica of your ayuntamiento and search “Obra menor / Comunicación previa / Declaración responsable”. Open the online procedure.
2. Identify with Cl@ve, certificado or DNIe and fill in: address/cadastral reference and description of the works.
3. Attach PDFs: report, sketches, quote, photos and authorisations. Avoid odd file types; convert to PDF.
4. Tick if you occupy public land. If you need a container or scaffold, process it here or in the specific “ocupación de vía pública” procedure (separate fee).
5. Pay the fee and, if your municipality applies it, the ICIO. Use the payment gateway and save the receipt.
6. Submit and download the receipt. If it’s a declaración responsable/comunicación previa, the receipt lets you start. If it’s a licencia de obra menor with a resolution, wait for notification (usually 1–4 weeks).
7. During and after: respect working hours, keep the area clean, and manage waste with an authorised manager or punto limpio. Keep invoices and receipts.

Time-saving tips

• Single PDF: merge report, sketches and photos into one PDF to avoid problems with the sede file limit.
• Clear filenames: “Memoria_ObraMenor_CalleX.pdf” helps avoid requests for corrections due to messy uploads.
• Use Chrome: many sedes misbehave on other browsers. Yes, it’s annoying, but it avoids dumb errors.
• Payment hours: some payment gateways fail at night. If the charge fails, try again during office hours.
• Have the catastro ref ready: get it from https://www.sedecatastro.gob.es, they’ll almost always ask for it.
• ICIO discounts: ask about reductions for energy efficiency or accessibility works. Sometimes you save a lot.

Common mistakes that can derail the process

1. Starting without permission: they stop the work and fine you. Sometimes they force you to undo what you did.
2. Not requesting street occupation: container without permit = fine and removal.
3. Touching structure or façade thinking it’s minor: that’s major work and needs a project and technician.
4. Weak report: “I’m renovating the kitchen” won’t cut it. Be detailed or they’ll ask for corrections and you’ll lose weeks.
5. Unreadable photos or plans: attach clear, scaled files. HEIC, Word or blurry screenshots = correction request.
6. Forgetting the community: without authorisation many sedes won’t even let you register.
7. Waste without an authorised manager: they can demand proof; without it you’ll have issues at closure or if inspected.