Summer is here, and the beaches of Valencia will once again be one of the most popular destinations on the Valencian coast. So much so that different municipalities in the province contemplate penalties in their ordinances for the usual Spanish picaresque of leaving the umbrella planted on the beachfront.
Valencia, like Gandía or Cullera, is one of the municipalities that contemplate fines of 750 euros in its municipal ordinance for those who leave umbrellas, tables and chairs unattended on the beach.
In the case of Valencia, the regulation defines as a “minor infraction” the fact of “leaving totally diaphanous parasols installed on their sides, as well as chairs, tables or other complements, as long as their owners are not present, just because they have reserved a place on the beach”.
This ordinance also incorporates penalties of up to 750 euros for “installing tents, non diaphanous parasols on their sides or camping on the beaches of the city”. An amount that could reach up to 1,500 euros in case of staying overnight on the beaches in the bathing season or bathing with a red flag.
The last update of this rule, approved in 2016, considers very serious infractions such as the circulation of boats at a distance of less than 200 meters from the coast or the dumping of waste into the sea, which will be punished with up to 3,000 euros fine.
All infractions contemplated by the beach ordinance in Valencia.
Minor infractions: up to 750 euros
- Failure to comply with the rules of this Ordinance that are not considered serious.
- The use of sound apparatus or musical instrument when their loudness volume cause discomfort to people (except on the beaches of the Albufera Natural Park).
- The improper use by people of the water in the showers and footbaths, as well as washing in the sea or the beach using soap or any other body care product.
- The practice of games without complying with the rules established in this ordinance.
- Obstructing the functions of police, which includes failure to comply with orders and instructions given by law enforcement officers, by those who perform surveillance and rescue tasks, as well as personnel assigned to clean the beaches.
- The physiological evacuation in the sea or on the beach.
- To leave installed totally diaphanous parasols on their sides, as well as chairs, tables or other complements, whenever their owners are not present, only for the fact of having reserved a place on the beach.
- Failure to comply with the rules of cleanliness by users of the beaches that are not considered serious or very serious by the municipal ordinance of cleanliness.
- Installing tents, non-transparent parasols on their sides or camping on the beaches of the city.
Serious infractions: from 751 euros to 1,500 euros.
- Failure to comply with the rules of cleanliness by holders of seasonal beach services, or any other activity authorized by the competent body.
- The deposit in containers of materials in combustion on the part of the users of the beach.
- The practice of fishing in place of the beach or in unauthorized times or schedules, as well as the use of shotgun or spearfishing instrument that may pose a risk to the safety of people.
- The parking or circulation of vehicles, of any type, on the beaches, with the exception of those authorized according to the present Ordinance, unless the Ordinance on circulation establishes another type of fault.
- Overnight stays on the beaches during the bathing season.
- To make fire on the beach, as well as to use barbecues, stoves, gas bottles or other utensils to make fire, with the exception of what is established in article 18.
- Cleaning cooking utensils in the showers, deteriorate in any way the showers, footbaths, toilets or street furniture located on the beaches, as well as the improper use of them.
- The use of sound devices or musical instruments on the beaches that are part of the Albufera Natural Park.
- The practice of surfing, windsurfing and other similar sports in breach of the rules established in this Ordinance.
- The beaching or staying of boats, windsurfing boards, pedal boats, jet skis, etc., outside the areas designated and intended for that purpose as well as dragging them along the walkways.
- Swimming when the red flag is raised.
- Resistance to providing information or supplying false, inaccurate, incomplete or misleading information or documentation, implicitly or explicitly, or refusing to cooperate with the municipal administration or its agents.
- Failure to comply with the specific requirements formulated by the Municipal Administration, whenever this occurs for the first time.
- Repetition and recidivism of two minor offenses in one year.
Very serious infringements: from 1,501 to 3,000 euros.
- The dumping and deposit of materials that may cause contamination and risk of accidents.
- To carry out any occupation with fixed or dismountable installation without having the required authorization.
- The circulation of boats at a distance of less than 200 meters from the coast, and any other infraction of the navigation rules, unless specific regulations establish another sanction.
- The repetition of three serious offenses in the last four years.
- Repeated failure to comply with the specific requirements formulated by the municipal administration.
- Any action or omission that causes any negative impact on the fauna and flora, both coastal and marine.