Paterna to allow ground floor conversions into homes to boost residential supply

The new urban planning regulation aims to facilitate housing access and limit tourist apartments in the municipality.

Facade of a residential building with ground floor commercial spaces in a Mediterranean town.
IA

Facade of a residential building with ground floor commercial spaces in a Mediterranean town.

Paterna City Council has approved a new urban planning regulation that will allow ground floors of buildings to be converted for residential use, with the aim of increasing the supply of permanent housing and curbing market prices.

This measure, promoted by the council, has the primary objective of protecting the right to housing and preventing real estate speculation. According to the municipal government, the initiative seeks to give new life to premises that are currently empty or disused, thereby improving the urban environment and favoring balanced city growth.
The regulation establishes strict conditions for converting premises into homes. Among the requirements, it is demanded that residential buildability is not exhausted, that current urban planning legislation is met, and that each new home has an associated parking space. Furthermore, the council has guaranteed that it will ensure compliance with habitability, accessibility, and safety conditions to prevent the creation of substandard housing.
On the other hand, the approved text reinforces restrictions on tourist apartments. The construction of blocks intended entirely for this use is prohibited throughout the municipal area. Authorized tourist homes must be located exclusively on ground floors, have the authorization of the owners' association, provide parking, and be situated in areas with public transport service and near bike lanes.