PEUAT
Special Tourist Accommodation Plan
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Apartment hotels
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Hostels and guest houses
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TOURIST APARTMENTS
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HOUSING USED FOR TOURISM
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Short term student residences in the area
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YOUTH HOSTELS
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HOTELS
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Shared homes
About the PEUAT
The Special Tourist Accommodation Plan (PEUAT) regulates the introduction of tourist-accommodation establishments, as well as youth hostels, tourist apartments and shared homes.
This regulation is in response to the need for reconciling the city’s tourist accommodation with a sustainable urban model based on guaranteeing the basic rights of local residents and improving their quality of life.
In addition to the offer for tourists, the plan also aims to regulate temporary stays in short term student residences in the area.
The Full Council gave its final approval to the text for the new Plan on Tourist Accommodation on 23 December 2021. The plan came into force on 26 January 2022, once it was published in the BOPB.
Further information:
An instrument for managing HUTs
Apartments for tourist use (HUTs) are flats that owners repeatedly let for seasonal stays, directly or indirectly, to third parties in exchange for financial compensation.
The PEUAT establishes zero growth for HUTs throughout the city.
Therefore, in order to avoid excessive numbers and guarantee a balanced territorial distribution, when a HUT ceases its activity in a saturated area, a new licence will be permitted or the redistribution of the contained-growth area.
Evolution of the number of HUTs, 2005-2021
Source: CEAT, September 2021 and the Barcelona Tourism Observatory, Barcelona City Council
Shared homes
The new approved document also regulates the category of shared homes. The Government of Catalonia created this new category for renting tourist rooms in habitual dwellings with Decree 75/2020 on Tourism, which was published on 6 August 2020. It provides for rental stays that do not exceed 31 days, with a maximum of 4 places per flat. It requires that the person applying for authorisation must live in the dwelling concerned.
The PEUAT establishes the general conditions for introducing this new category of tourist accommodation, although the regulation of the requirements and conditions for undertaking these activities are subject to the development of a future by-law specifically concerned with their regulation.
Apart from common conditions across the city, the PEUAT distinguishes between four specific zones, each with its own regulations. Each one is characterised by the distribution of tourist accommodation in its territory, the ratio between the number of available tourist places and the current resident population, the scope and conditions under which certain uses are provided, the impact of these activities on public areas, the presence of tourist attractions and the morphological characteristics of the area's urban fabric.
NEGATIVE-GROWTH AREA. NO NEW ACCOMMODATION OF ANY TYPE IS PERMITTED, NOR ANY INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PLACES IN EXISTING ESTABLISHMENTS.
AREA 1
THIS IS WHERE THE HIGHEST DENSITY OF TOURIST ACCOMMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS IS FOUND
AVERAGE RATIO BETWEEN FLOATING POPULATION AND LOCAL RESIDENTS
How will a decrease be achieved?
Over 60% of available places in Barcelona are to be found in this area. Therefore, when one establishment ceases its activity, opening another one will not be allowed.
HUTs:
No new HUTs (housing used for tourism) may be opened. However, when an establishment is closed in Zone 1, a new establishment may be opened in Zone 3, under the conditions determined for that area. Temporarily, in the District of Ciutat Vella, an entire building may be regrouped.
Shared homes:
Introduction through the conversion of existing tourist apartments is permitted.
Short term student residences in the area:
No new ones are permitted. Introduction through the conversion of existing tourist establishments or youth hostels is permitted.
THE CURRENT NUMBER OF PLACES AND ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE MAINTAINED. NO EXPANSION OF EXISTING ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE ALLOWED.
ZONE 2
MAJOR CONCENTRATION OF TOURIST ACCOMMODATION
How will maintenance be achieved?
When an establishment is removed from the census, another with the same number of places may be set up. Criteria of distances and radial density are defined according to the size of the establishments.
HUTS:
When an establishment is removed from the census in ZE 2, a new establishment will be allowed to open in ZE 3, under the conditions established for that zone.
Shared homes:
Introduction through the conversion of existing tourist apartments is permitted.
Short term student residences in the area:
No new ones are permitted. Introduction through the conversion of existing tourist establishments or youth hostels is permitted.
NEW ESTABLISHMENTS MAY BE OPENED AND EXISTING ONES MAY BE EXPANDED
How to achieve controlled growth?
Growth will be allowed, provided the maximum number of places is not exceeded, based on the morphological capacity of the area and the existing level of tourist accommodation on offer. Criteria of distances and radial density are defined according to the size of the establishments.
HUTs:
- Regrouping may occur within the same area.
- A new establishment may be opened when one is closed in ZE 1, in ZE 2, or in ZE 4, up to a maximum of 370 establishments.
- They may only be located in blocks where the density per block does not exceed a ratio of 1.48% between the number of HUTs and the number of residential dwellings (the average for the maintenance area) or until filling an entire building with a maximum of 10 HUT (and, in this case, with non-housing uses).
Shared homes:
Introduction through the conversion of existing tourist apartments is permitted.
Short term student residences in the area:
Introduction through the conversion of an existing tourist accommodation establishment or youth hostel, or via a new introduction under radial-density conditions.
OTHER SPECIFICALLY REGULATED AREAS
Four big redevelopment areas
This zone includes four big redevelopment areas in the city: La Marina del Prat Vermell, La Sagrera, the northern part of 22@ and Sants Railway Station, which have very diverse characteristics, in terms of urban location and building density, their uses and the conditions under which they are being developed.
HUTs:
new HUTs are not permitted in these areas. The closure of an existing HUT allows for the opening of another one in ZE 3.
Shared homes:
Introduction through the conversion of existing tourist apartments is permitted.
Short term student residences in the area:
Introduction is allowed either via the conversion of an existing tourist accommodation establishment or youth hostel, or via a new introduction under radial-density conditions.
IN THESE AREAS, THE NUMBER OF NEW ESTABLISHMENTS IS LIMITED WITH ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS
Some areas have been identified for specific treatment, given that there are city fabrics which require different implementation characteristics because of their urban morphology and predominant uses.
This mainly concerns the historic centres of Sants, Les Corts, Sarrià, Horta, Sant Andreu, Clot-Camp de l’Arpa, Farró, Sant Ramon Nonat and Vilapicina.
A number of main hubs are defined, coinciding with most of the city's structural thoroughfares in the area of mobility, with some specific regulatory parameters.
These main hubs have specific regulations, within the regulations determined for their areas. The hubs are located in Areas 2 and 3.
Conditions
A 150 m linear-density limit between establishments has been established, replacing radial density.• This linear density will be measured from the middle of the establishment's façade.
• Furthermore, these establishments generate radial distances over their immediate surroundings
The PEUAT is an urban planning instrument for organising and controlling the setting up of tourist accommodation in the city and guaranteeing residents’ basic rights.
Apart from common conditions across the city, the PEUAT distinguishes between four specific zones, each with its own regulations. Each one is characterised by the distribution of tourist accommodation in its territory, the ratio between the number of available tourist places and the current resident population, the scope and conditions under which certain uses are provided, the impact of these activities on public areas, the presence of tourist attractions and the morphological characteristics of the area's urban fabric.
NEGATIVE-GROWTH AREA. NO NEW ACCOMMODATION OF ANY TYPE IS PERMITTED, NOR ANY INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PLACES IN EXISTING ESTABLISHMENTS.
How will a decrease be achieved?
Over 60% of available places in Barcelona are to be found in this area. Therefore, when one establishment ceases its activity, opening another one will not be allowed.
HUTs:
No new HUTs (housing used for tourism) may be opened. However, when an establishment is closed in Zone 1, a new establishment may be opened in Zone 3, under the conditions determined for that area. Temporarily, in the District of Ciutat Vella, an entire building may be regrouped.
Shared homes:
Introduction through the conversion of existing tourist apartments is permitted.
Short term student residences in the area:
No new ones are permitted. Introduction through the conversion of existing tourist establishments or youth hostels is permitted.
THE CURRENT NUMBER OF PLACES AND ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE MAINTAINED. NO EXPANSION OF EXISTING ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE ALLOWED.
How will maintenance be achieved?
When an establishment is removed from the census, another with the same number of places may be set up. Criteria of distances and radial density are defined according to the size of the establishments.
HUTS:
When an establishment is removed from the census in ZE 2, a new establishment will be allowed to open in ZE 3, under the conditions established for that zone.
Shared homes:
Introduction through the conversion of existing tourist apartments is permitted.
Short term student residences in the area:
No new ones are permitted. Introduction through the conversion of existing tourist establishments or youth hostels is permitted.
NEW ESTABLISHMENTS MAY BE OPENED AND EXISTING ONES MAY BE EXPANDED
How to achieve controlled growth?
Growth will be allowed, provided the maximum number of places is not exceeded, based on the morphological capacity of the area and the existing level of tourist accommodation on offer. Criteria of distances and radial density are defined according to the size of the establishments.
HUTs:
- Regrouping may occur within the same area.
- A new establishment may be opened when one is closed in ZE 1, in ZE 2, or in ZE 4, up to a maximum of 370 establishments.
- They may only be located in blocks where the density per block does not exceed a ratio of 1.48% between the number of HUTs and the number of residential dwellings (the average for the maintenance area) or until filling an entire building with a maximum of 10 HUT (and, in this case, with non-housing uses).
Shared homes:
Introduction through the conversion of existing tourist apartments is permitted.
Short term student residences in the area:
Introduction through the conversion of an existing tourist accommodation establishment or youth hostel, or via a new introduction under radial-density conditions.
OTHER SPECIFICALLY REGULATED AREAS
Four big redevelopment areas
This zone includes four big redevelopment areas in the city: La Marina del Prat Vermell, La Sagrera, the northern part of 22@ and Sants Railway Station, which have very diverse characteristics, in terms of urban location and building density, their uses and the conditions under which they are being developed.
HUTs:
new HUTs are not permitted in these areas. The closure of an existing HUT allows for the opening of another one in ZE 3.
Shared homes:
Introduction through the conversion of existing tourist apartments is permitted.
Short term student residences in the area:
Introduction is allowed either via the conversion of an existing tourist accommodation establishment or youth hostel, or via a new introduction under radial-density conditions.
IN THESE AREAS, THE NUMBER OF NEW ESTABLISHMENTS IS LIMITED WITH ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS
Some areas have been identified for specific treatment, given that there are city fabrics which require different implementation characteristics because of their urban morphology and predominant uses.
This mainly concerns the historic centres of Sants, Les Corts, Sarrià, Horta, Sant Andreu, Clot-Camp de l’Arpa, Farró, Sant Ramon Nonat and Vilapicina.
A number of main hubs are defined, coinciding with most of the city's structural thoroughfares in the area of mobility, with some specific regulatory parameters.
These main hubs have specific regulations, within the regulations determined for their areas. The hubs are located in Areas 2 and 3.
Conditions
A 150 m linear-density limit between establishments has been established, replacing radial density.• This linear density will be measured from the middle of the establishment's façade.
• Furthermore, these establishments generate radial distances over their immediate surroundings
AREA 1
THIS IS WHERE THE HIGHEST DENSITY OF TOURIST ACCOMMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS IS FOUND
AVERAGE RATIO BETWEEN FLOATING POPULATION AND LOCAL RESIDENTS
AREA 2
MAJOR CONCENTRATION OF TOURIST ACCOMMODATION
Specific Treatment Areas (ATEs) and main hubs
These are the old town centres of municipalities that were annexed into Barcelona at the end of the 19th century or the beginning of the 20th
| AREA 1 | AREA 2 | AREA 3 | AREA 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist-use flats (HUTs) | 5.27432.962 places | 3.13418.995 places | 1.0165.699 places | 1042 places |
| Tourist accommodation establishments (hotels, apartment hotels, hostels or guest houses, tourist apartments) | 55952.875 places | 13921.653 places | 658.504 places | 31.156 places |
| Youth hostels | 837.211 places | 301.629 places | 151.792 places | 00 places |
| Tourist accommodation / tourist places | 5.91693.048 places | 3.30342.277 places | 1.09615.995 places | 131.198 places |
| Short term student residences in the area | 292.966 places | 163.149 places | 316.471 places | 61.979 places |
Why has this been done?
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To ease the pressure of tourism
To ease pressure on those areas of the city most affected by tourism.
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In response to public demand
As a response to public concern and disquiet regarding the effects of tourism, bearing in mind the disproportionate, unplanned and uncontrolled increase in tourist accommodation in the city.
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Balance
To seek the urban balance and diversification which ensure that tourism activities, and especially tourist accommodation, attain sustainability with regard to other economic activities.
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Guaranteeing the right to housing
To guarantee local residents’ right to housing (no type of tourist accommodation may replace a dwelling), rest, privacy and well-being, as well as spatial quality.
The purpose of the PEUAT is to improve the quality of life of Barcelona’s residents and to build:
A Barcelona for everyone
A city for living in
Which guarantees quality of life for Barcelona residents and conserves people's right to housing, rest and privacy, the right to sustainable mobility and a healthy environment.
A city capable of maintaining the quality of its public spaces
Identifying the most sensitive areas where there is already an intensive use of public space, due to the presence of one of the city’s main tourist attractions or because of the concentration of street-level shops and services.
A city with a balanced mix of uses
Where urban diversity, different uses and a variety of economic activities can exist side by side without generating conflicts while guaranteeing the well-being of residents.
A city with morphologically diversified urban fabrics
Where the size and number of tourist establishments are set according to the characteristics of the urban area concerned.
