In Valencia the enforcement phase of the new cleanliness ordinance begins on 13 October 2026 : the Policía Local will henceforth issue fines of up to €3,000 for breaches of the city’s cleanliness rules. The Valencia City Council had spent several weeks informing the public about the new rules. The ordinance came into force on 15 June 2026 after being passed unanimously by the plenary council.
The penalties are tiered. Lower fines apply to minor offences, while more serious violations can incur fines of up to €1,500 and particularly serious cases up to €3,000. Offences include leaving bulky waste or other rubbish in public areas, depositing household waste in unauthorised places, discarding cigarette butts, chewing gum or scraps of paper, and urinating or defecating in public. Anyone who fails to clear up after their dog also faces a fine.
The city says the inspections now getting under way follow an information campaign with the slogan Una ciudad más limpia la hacemos todos This was intended to inform the public about new and stricter obligations for keeping the city clean. Internal procedures have also been adjusted. In its statements, the city administration has not provided specific details on the scale or frequency of inspections, or expected fine revenue.
Valencia cites the revised Ordenanza municipal de limpieza y recogida de residuosas the legal basis. The update clarifies responsibilities, expands the list of punishable conduct and raises the range of fines. According to Valencia City Council, the measure is part of a broader approach: alongside stronger enforcement, additional cleaning resources and a larger budget for the city cleaning service are intended to improve the ordinance’s effectiveness.
Regardless, practical implementation may remain a point of contention. Supporters stress the need for clear rules to tackle littering and unhygienic conditions in public spaces. Critics may question whether high fines for everyday offences are proportionate and whether they can be enforced across the entire city. The city counters that the rules and tiered penalty system are intended to prevent offences and change behaviour.
With the start of the enforcement phase, the information period is over and offences will be penalised. The rules apply to all public spaces in Valencia; the Policía Local is responsible for inspections across the city.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).