What a cédula urbanística is and what it is for

The official planning information of a parcel

The cédula urbanística, or planning information certificate, is the official document informing about the planning conditions of a parcel or property: land classification and categorisation, permitted uses, building parameters and any other applicable provisions of the municipal planning.

What it is for in practice

It is usually needed in situations like these:

• 01Before buying a parcel, to know what can be built or which uses it allows.
• 02Before designing, to know the starting parameters.
• 03When a notary, a bank or an administration asks for official planning information about the property.
• 04To confirm a parcel's conditions before starting any building procedure.

Who issues it and who requests it

The cédula urbanística is issued by the competent town hall. The owner can request it directly or commission the processing to a technician, who correctly identifies and documents the parcel, prepares the application and then explains the content of the municipal reply in clear terms.

It is worth keeping in mind that the cédula informs about the planning conditions, but the specific viability of a project is confirmed with its technical project and, where applicable, the corresponding licence.