Dénia has once again placed holiday rentals at the centre of the local debate. The Town Council has presented the main points of a new municipal regulation designed to manage tourist accommodation within the town centre, while seeking a balance between tourism, neighbourhood life and access to permanent housing.
The proposal still needs to complete the approval process, but it already shows the direction of the local policy: limiting the growth of new holiday rentals in the most residential parts of the town centre and regulating the activity according to the characteristics of each neighbourhood.
Quick summary: the new regulation does not mean that holiday rentals will disappear from Dénia. It mainly introduces stricter limitations in certain areas of the town centre. Areas such as Les Marines, Les Rotes and Montgó are not included within the main scope of this regulation.
Does this mean holiday rentals will disappear from Dénia?
No. This is important to clarify from the outset.
The proposed regulation mainly focuses on the urban centre of Dénia. Traditional holiday areas such as Les Marines, Les Rotes and Montgó are not included within this specific regulation.
This is therefore not a general ban on holiday rentals in Dénia, but rather a stricter set of rules for certain parts of the town centre.
Which areas could be most affected?
The proposal divides the town centre into different areas, each with its own level of restriction.
1. Areas where no new holiday rentals would be permitted
The most protected area includes neighbourhoods with a higher proportion of permanent residents. In these locations, no new holiday rental registrations would be allowed and, once existing authorisations expire from 2029 onwards, they would no longer be renewed.
The areas mentioned include:
- The historic centre
- Les Roques
- Part of Baix la Mar
- Loreto Street
- Mayor Street
- Patricio Ferrándiz
- Avenida de Alicante
- Avenida de València
- Plaza París-Pedrera
- The urban centre of Jesús Pobre
2. Areas where the current number would be maintained
A second area would allow existing holiday rentals to remain, but without increasing their total number. In practice, a new holiday rental could only be authorised if another one was previously removed from the register.
This area would include locations such as:
- Pont Street
- Sandunga
- Fontanella
- Colón Street
- Paseo del Raset
- Marqués de Campo
- The Eixample district
3. The area between Camí del Llavador and the beach
The third area is located between Camí del Llavador and the beach. In this part of Dénia, where there is already a stronger presence of tourist accommodation and fewer permanent residents, limited growth in the number of holiday rentals could still be allowed.
Why is this regulation being proposed?
The Town Council argues that the growth of holiday rentals in residential neighbourhoods can create problems related to access to housing, neighbourhood coexistence, noise and the gradual loss of permanent community life.
Before drafting the regulation, the council carried out a public consultation on holiday rentals and considered previous studies, meetings with representatives from the sector and existing local reports.
Dénia had also previously suspended the issue of urban compatibility certificates for new holiday rentals in the town centre. The new regulation appears to continue along the same lines: not eliminating holiday rentals, but deciding where they can grow, where their number should remain stable and where housing should be prioritised for permanent residents.
What could happen from 2029?
The year 2029 is important because existing authorisations have an expiry date. In the most protected parts of the town centre, the council’s intention is for these authorisations not to be renewed once they expire.
According to the information published, the aim is to reduce the number of holiday rentals within the urban centre, particularly in the most residential neighbourhoods.
Important
The regulation still needs to complete the approval process before becoming final. Property owners should therefore continue to follow any developments before making important decisions concerning a specific property.
What does this mean for property owners?
For property owners, the main conclusion is that the exact location of the property will become increasingly important.
A property located in Les Marines, Les Rotes or Montgó is not included within the main area covered by this town-centre regulation. However, a property located in certain parts of central Dénia could be affected by future restrictions.
It will also be essential to distinguish between different types of rental. Holiday rentals are properties offered for short tourist stays. They should not be confused with seasonal rentals, long-term rentals or room rentals, which are subject to different regulations.
Before making a decision, owners should review the individual circumstances of their property:
- The exact location of the property
- The status of its tourist licence or authorisation
- The type of rental being considered
- The current municipal and regional regulations
- Its medium- and long-term viability
What does this mean for visitors?
Holiday accommodation will continue to be available for people visiting Dénia. The town remains a well-established holiday destination, with a wide range of apartments, villas and properties close to the sea in areas such as Les Marines, Les Rotes and Montgó.
Over the coming years, tourist accommodation may become more concentrated in areas considered more suitable for this type of activity, while the town centre may increasingly be reserved for permanent housing and neighbourhood life.
For visitors, this could also have positive effects: better-regulated accommodation, clearer areas for tourist use and a more balanced relationship between local residents and those visiting Dénia for their holidays.
An important change, but not an immediate one
The new regulation represents an important change in the way Dénia manages holiday rentals, particularly within the urban centre. However, it is neither an immediate measure nor a general ban on holiday accommodation.
Each property must be considered individually. Not all areas will be affected in the same way, not all properties have the same legal status and not every type of rental is governed by the same rules.
Do you own a property in Dénia?
At Edeal Homes, we closely follow changes to local regulations so that we can provide property owners and guests with clear, up-to-date information adapted to each individual property.
If you own a property in Dénia and would like to understand which rental options may be most suitable according to its location and characteristics, it is advisable to assess the property individually before making any decisions.
