Summer is approaching, 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 rule 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 city beaches”. An amount that could reach up to 1,500 euros in case of staying overnight on the beaches during the bathing season or bathing with a red flag.
The last update of this standard, 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 at sea, which will be punished with up to 3,000 euros in fines.
All the infractions contemplated in the Valencia beach ordinance
Minor infractions: up to 750 euros
-
- Failure to comply with the rules of this Ordinance that are not considered serious.
-
- The use of sound devices or musical instruments when their loudness volume causes discomfort to people (except on the beaches of the Albufera Natural Park).
-
- The improper use by people of water from showers and footbaths, as well as washing in the sea or on the beach using soap or any other body wash product.
-
- The practice of games without complying with the rules established in this ordinance.
-
- Obstructing police functions, which includes failure to comply with the orders and instructions given by the agents of the authority, by those who carry out surveillance and rescue tasks, as well as by the personnel assigned to clean the beaches.
-
- Physiological evacuation at sea or on the beach.
-
- Leave 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.
-
- Failure of beach users to comply with cleanliness regulations that are not considered serious or very serious by the municipal ordinance on cleanliness.
-
- Set up tents, non-transparent parasols on their sides or camp on city beaches.
Serious infringements: from 751 euros to 1,500 euros
-
- Non-compliance with cleaning regulations by holders of seasonal beach services, or any other activity authorized by the competent body.
-
- The deposit of burning materials in containers by beach users.
-
- Practicing fishing in place of the beach or in unauthorized time 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 another type of fault is established in the Ordinance on circulation.
-
- Overnight stays on the beaches during the bathing season.
-
- Making fire on the beach, as well as using barbecues, stoves, gas cylinders or other utensils to make fire, with the exception of what is established in article 18.
-
- Cleaning cooking utensils in the showers, deteriorating in any way the showers, footbaths, toilets or urban furniture located on the beaches, as well as the improper use of the same.
-
- 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 violation of the rules established in this Ordinance.
-
- The beaching or permanence of boats, windsurfing boards, pedal boats, jet skis, etc., outside the designated areas intended for that purpose as well as their dragging along the walkways.
-
- Bathe 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 it 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 a fixed or dismountable installation without 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.
-
- 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.