Barcelona, February 14 – Starting this Sunday, February 15, Barcelona will begin imposing fines on dog owners who do not dilute their pets’ urine with water in public spaces. This measure is part of the updated Civility Ordinance, which aims to improve public coexistence and maintain the cleanliness of the city. Fines for this specific infraction can reach up to 300 euros.
New Civility Ordinance: Key Changes and Increased Fines
The new ordinance, an update to the 2006 version, addresses various behaviors in public spaces, introducing new penalties and increasing the amounts of existing ones. The Barcelona City Council has conducted a communication campaign over the past month to inform citizens about the upcoming changes, emphasizing the importance of ensuring coexistence.
The updated regulations target behaviors that generate the most nuisance and deteriorate coexistence, incorporating new aggravating factors and types of infractions to reinforce their deterrent effect. Among the most significant changes are:
Undiluted Pet Urine
The primary focus of this new measure is the requirement for pet owners to dilute their animals’ urine with water to ensure street hygiene and prevent damage to urban furniture. The ordinance explicitly states that only water should be used, excluding soap, bleach, or vinegar. Assistance dogs are exempt from this rule. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to 300 euros.
Additionally, the ordinance reiterates that not immediately collecting solid pet waste from public roads and spaces, or not disposing of it acceptably in bins, is also considered a serious infraction.
Public Alcohol Consumption
Fines for public alcohol consumption have been significantly increased. Penalties can reach up to 1,500 euros if consumption occurs in the presence of minors or in areas with night-time restrictions. Initial fines for public drinking (botellones) range from 100 to 600 euros.
Prohibition of Drunken Routes
The ordinance partially prohibits organized “drunken routes” often offered to tourists, particularly in acoustically stressed areas, to combat noise pollution. Fines for organizing such routes can be as high as 3,000 euros.
Public Urination
Urination in public streets, especially in sensitive areas such as narrow streets, nightlife zones, or locations with public restrooms, will now be penalized with fines of up to 750 euros.
Graffiti and Tagging
The creation of graffiti and tags in unauthorized spaces is strictly prohibited. In addition to financial penalties, offenders will be required to cover the costs of cleaning and repairing any damage caused.
Sexual-Themed Elements and Public Nudity
The ordinance prohibits the display of clothing or other items with sexual themes or representations of genitals in public. Walking or being in public without a shirt (torso nude) is also forbidden, except during sports activities or in beach areas. Fines for these infractions can reach up to 300 euros.
Exhibitionism and Lack of Respect
Acts that undermine the dignity of others, such as insults, masturbation, or exhibitionism, are subject to fines of up to 600 euros.
Ensuring Compliance: Immediate Fines for Non-Residents
To ensure the effective application of these rules, the new ordinance allows the Guardia Urbana to immediately notify and collect fines from non-residents for serious and very serious infractions. This measure aims to prevent the impunity that previously occurred when tourists were fined. On average, the Barcelona City Council has estimated that just over half of the fines issued under this ordinance are collected.
The city’s efforts to update the Civility Ordinance underscore its commitment to maintaining a clean, respectful, and harmonious public environment for both residents and visitors.
Source: https://elpais.com/espana/catalunya/2026-02-13/atencion-a-los-duenos-de-perros-de-barcelona-ya-hay-fecha-a-partir-de-la-que-se-multara-a-quien-no-diluya-los-pipis.html
