Marbella’s local government has approved a package to amend 15 urban-planning rules, aiming to make it easier to adapt properties and attract investment while work on the city’s wider planning framework continues. The measures were approved by the Local Government Board on 20 October, according to the council. They are not yet in force: the municipality says it hopes to complete the process during 2027.
The proposed changes cover industrial and commercial premises, hotels, community facilities and parts of the historic centres of Marbella and San Pedro Alcántara. Mayor Ángeles Muñoz said the rules would update provisions that in some respects remain linked to the 1986 planning framework. The stated aim is to make projects easier to deliver and support economic activity and employment; the council has not provided estimates of investment or jobs.
For industrial sites, the package would broaden the range of compatible activities and allow some mezzanines, basements and roof areas to be used for permitted purposes, without necessarily increasing total buildable area. It would also raise the maximum height for certain logistics warehouses from 10 to 14 metres. The council says the rules would allow a wider mix of uses in industrial estates, including some tourism-related activities where permitted.
Commercial premises could make greater use of basements for business activity. For hotels, the proposed rules would allow up to 10 per cent more buildable area in certain projects, and potentially an additional floor or greater use of roof and basement space where requirements are met. The council says the hotel provisions are intended to support refurbishment and upgrades.
The proposals would also allow an additional storey in specified areas of the historic centres, subject to the rules for each zone. In San Pedro Alcántara’s C2 area, the permitted form could become ground floor plus two upper floors, with a possible attic under the applicable conditions. In Marbella’s C1 area, an extra floor would be allowed in certain locations, but not on streets or sites requiring specific protection because of their dimensions, character or heritage value.
Changes to rules for facilities would make it easier to establish or expand cultural, tourism, sports and other public-interest services. For certain complementary uses in public green areas, the permitted buildable area would rise from 20 to 30 per cent, subject to existing conditions. The package would also allow underground parking beneath some private green areas.
The next steps include publication of the document and referral to the environmental authority for assessment. It must then receive the required approvals and sectoral reports—including heritage reports where applicable—and go through public consultation, when people can submit objections or comments. The council’s 2027 target depends on favourable reports and completion of those procedures.
For property owners, businesses and developers, the practical effect is therefore prospective: the rules could create new options for renovation or changes of use, but only in locations and projects that meet the final requirements. The amendments are being pursued alongside Marbella’s wider planning work, rather than requiring investors to wait for all of that planning process to be completed.