Activity licence (licencia de actividad) and opening of premises

Before signing the lease on commercial premises, it's worth knowing two things: whether your activity is allowed on that street, and what the town hall will ask of you before you can open. The answer varies a great deal depending on the type of business, and getting it wrong can cost you months of paying rent without being able to open.

Which procedure your business needs

In the Valencian Community, Law 6/2014 on prevention, quality and environmental control of activities distinguishes several regimes according to the activity's impact:

Regime	For which activities	How it works
Notice of low-impact activity (actividad inocua)	Shops, offices, professional practices and low-impact services that meet the conditions in Annex III of the law	Notified to the town hall with the technical documentation
Environmental declaración responsable	Low-impact activities that are not classed as inocuas	The declaration is submitted with a project or report and a technical certificate
Environmental licence	Annex II activities (moderate impact: some workshops, industries, etc.)	The town hall reviews the project and grants the licence
Integrated environmental authorisation	Large industrial facilities in Annex I	Processed by the Generalitat

The bars, restaurants, leisure and entertainment venues are covered by a different law, Law 14/2010 on public entertainment and recreational activities, which in most cases is processed through a declaración responsable.

In the Region of Murcia, Law 4/2009 on integrated environmental protection reserves the activity licence for the activities in its Annex I and leaves the rest to a declaración responsable.

How we do it

1. Preliminary enquiry. We check that the use is allowed in those premises and which regime applies to you. Better still if you haven't signed yet.
2. Visit and measured survey of the premises.
3. Activity project or report. Accessibility, fire protection, evacuation, ventilation, toilets, noise and whatever your activity requires.
4. Fit-out works, if needed: we design and supervise them (commercial premises renovation).
5. Final certificates and submission to the town hall, and follow-up until the file is closed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I open as soon as I submit it?

For activities that go through a notice or a declaración responsable, you can generally open once the complete documentation has been submitted, and the town hall checks afterwards. With an environmental licence you have to wait until it is granted.

What if I take over a business that already had a licence?

If you keep the same activity and the premises don't change, it is usually enough to notify the change of holder. If you change the activity or carry out works, it needs reviewing.

Can the town hall ask for more?

Yes: each municipality has its own bylaws (opening hours, terraces, noise, signage). We take them into account from the start so there are no surprises.