Orihuela Council to Fine Owners Who Fail to Clear Neglected Land

Orihuela City Council is set to start fining property owners who neglect their land, failing to keep it clean and safe. Mayor Pepe Vegara, along with Councillors Mónica Pastor and Matías Ruiz, announced the new fines. The deadline for clearing empty plots passed on August 15, and now the council will begin inspections and penalties.

A special inspection operation is expected to start within a week. Property owners have been given sufficient time to comply, but any neglected plots presenting health or safety risks could face formal legal action. Fines range from €750 to €1,500, and Orihuela Local Police will assist in identifying neglected sites during routine patrols.

Inspections will cover the entire municipality, from Barbarroja to Orihuela Costa, including all districts, the city center, and the historic area. Property owners, or those responsible for the land, must maintain it safe and presentable, preventing weed growth, rubbish, building debris, or other materials that may pose health or fire hazards, especially during summer.

The council has also acknowledged it must uphold these standards for its own properties. Municipal teams are already clearing council-owned plots, and the Contracting and Town Planning departments are preparing a tender to hire an outside company to handle more work. The enforcement campaign follows a mayoral order setting August 15, 2026, as the deadline for clearing neglected land.

The council will now move into the inspection and enforcement phase, issuing fines where owners have failed to comply.