Sant Julià de Lòria Approves €24K Fee for Missing Parking in Building Rehab

Sant Julià de Lòria council has approved a modification to its Parish Urban Planning Ordinance (POUP), enabling major rehabilitation works on existing buildings that cannot meet parking requirements by paying a €24,000 fee per missing space.

The policy, passed on Wednesday with backing from the Desperta Laurèdia majority and abstentions by opposition members, applies only when it is technically impossible to provide the mandated parking—typically 1.5 spaces per housing unit—either on the property or within a 500-metre radius. New constructions remain subject to full compliance with existing rules.

Cònsol Major Cerni Cairat highlighted the change's potential to unblock stalled projects in the parish's historic core, where space constraints have long hindered renovations. He noted at least two buildings whose owners are keen to proceed, helping address Andorra's pressing housing needs by bringing properties back to the residential market. For instance, a developer needing four spaces but able to build just one could cover the shortfall with a €72,000 payment, allowing works to advance if other urban rules are met.

The ordinance also introduces a two-year transitional period to review and regularise cases where required parking is located on separate plots. Urban planning officials will verify that these arrangements align with regulations, addressing past ambiguities in how such off-site spaces are linked to buildings.

Opposition councillor Josep Majoral, from Unió Laurediana+Demòcrates, abstained due to insufficient prior discussion in the urban commission and called for stronger protections. He urged establishing legal servitudes or charges on off-site plots to prevent their conversion to non-parking uses, such as storage, bar terraces or private rentals. Cairat welcomed the suggestion, saying the council would consider it for future updates.

The measure will generate council revenue for public services, potentially including more parking, though no economic impact study or revenue forecast has been prepared.