The grace period is over. Starting today, October 13, officers of the Valencia Local Police will begin issuing citations for abandoning furniture and leaving trash scattered in public spaces. The new Municipal Ordinance on Urban Cleanliness and Waste Collection, which took effect on June 15, imposes fines of up to 3,000 euros for these types of violations.
Valencia City Council has allowed ample time for the public to adapt to and become familiar with the new regulations, with the goal of raising public awareness and promoting waste separation and recycling.
Starting today, penalties for littering public spaces are being tightened through regulations that cover offenses beyond simply discarding trash or appliances: spray-painting protected structures, spitting or urinating, discarding cigarette butts, fruit peels, or gum, and failing to pick up after pets are also considered violations under this ordinance.
What is subject to a fine, and how much is the fine?
These are the main punishable offenses and their corresponding fines:
- Dumping furniture and household items on public streets outside the systems designated by the City Council: fines of up to 3,000 euros.
- Leaving trash or any wastescattered in public spaces; placing waste that does not belong in trash cans—such as household or commercial trash bags, or bulky items that protrude from the opening—and painting or spray-painting on items protected under the municipal heritage catalog. Fines ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 euros.
- Spitting or relieving oneself in public areas or other unauthorized places. Fines ranging from 750 to 3,000 euros.
- Throwing cigarette butts, fruit peels, gum, paper, or other small pieces of trash on the ground instead of using trash cans. This category also includes failing to pick up after pets or failing to clean up the mess they make on the street. Fines of up to 1,500 euros.
- Failure to remove construction debris and rubble from work carried out on public roads. A fine of between 750 and 1,500 euros.
A Free Alternative for Old Furniture
To prevent furniture from ending up on the sidewalk, there is a free furniture and household goods pickup service. You can request this service by calling 010, through the municipal website, or via the Valencia City Council app, and workers will pick up the items right at your doorstep Monday through Friday.
