Seville has a mix of:
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Historic urban buildings
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Rural or semi-rural plots
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Protected heritage areas
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New developments on the outskirts
Each comes with different urban planning restrictions, and foreign buyers must verify legal use before signing.
📋 What Is the PGOU?
The PGOU (Plan General de Ordenación Urbana) is Seville’s master urban plan. It determines:
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What each land parcel can legally be used for (residential, commercial, protected land, etc.)
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Whether renovations, expansions, or rebuilds are permitted
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Zoning and land classification (urbano, urbanizable, rústico)
💡 Buyers must ensure the property complies before purchase, especially for villas, townhouses, or land.
🔍 What We Check in Every Urban Planning Review
At Borderless Lawyers, we include urban compliance verification in all property due diligence. This includes:
| Item | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Zoning classification | Confirms if property is legal and usable |
| Buildable area (m²) | Ensures current building is within limits |
| Planning licenses | Checks that all extensions were approved |
| Heritage status | May prevent renovations |
| Infractions or fines | Can result in demolitions or legal issues |
We work with the Urbanismo department at Seville’s Ayuntamiento to pull official records.
🧱 Illegal Construction Is Common in Andalusia
Especially in rural zones, many homes have:
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Unregistered additions (pools, porches, garages)
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No occupancy certificate (cédula)
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Pending infractions or legalizations
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Historic elements protected under local laws
💡 These issues are often unknown to the seller or agent — but can block a mortgage, delay registration, or trigger future fines.
🏡 Can You Renovate or Extend Property in Seville?
Yes — but only if allowed by zoning law.
We help foreign buyers by:
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Reviewing your renovation plans before purchase
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Confirming if permits can be granted
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Checking if your desired usage (e.g. Airbnb rental, home office) is legally allowed
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Warning you if the home sits in a non-buildable or restricted zone
📉 Risks of Skipping Urban Checks
Foreigners who skip this review might:
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Buy a non-habitable home (no license or occupancy certificate)
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Be forced to remove illegal extensions
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Pay for retroactive legalization or fines
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Lose resale value or face legal challenges
We ensure none of these issues affect your investment.
🧑⚖️ What Borderless Lawyers Provides
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Full zoning & urban classification analysis
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PGOU zoning map verification
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Historical permits & infraction searches
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Heritage & protected zone checks
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Recommendations for legal renovation or registration
✅ All findings are summarized in English with legal advice on next steps.
🌍 Buying Remotely? We Check Everything for You
With Power of Attorney, we handle all urban planning checks on your behalf, working with local authorities and architects if needed.
You receive:
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A clear zoning & legal use report
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Full due diligence before any contract is signed
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Recommendations if legalization is needed
📞 Buying Property in Seville? Don’t Skip Urban Checks
Even beautiful homes may hide zoning issues. Our lawyers ensure your property is legal, livable, and ready for the future.