Building in Calvià
Why Calvià Is Particularly Attractive for Building in Mallorca
For many years, Calvià has been regarded as one of the most modern, efficient, and reliable planning administrations in Mallorca. Building here benefits from a Plan General de Ordenación Urbana (PGOU – General Urban Development Plan) in place since 1999, a well-structured municipal administration, and comparatively short processing times.
Of the more than fifty municipalities on the island, only nine have officially adapted their planning instruments to the Pla Territorial Insular de Mallorca (PTM – Territorial Plan of Mallorca). Calvià is one of them.
- Processing Times
While in some other municipalities of Mallorca the granting of a Licencia de Obra (Building Licence) can take years, in Calvià, provided that the documentation is complete, the timeframe is usually between four and six months.
- PGOU and Suspension of Licences – Clear Rules with Transitional Phases
The PGOU of Calvià is clearly drafted in many respects and has often served as a reference for other municipalities.
Over the years, however, several updates of the PGOU have led to temporary suspensions of licences while the amendments were being processed and awaiting final approval.
The most recent suspension, in 2025, affected, among other aspects, the definition of the terreno de referencia (Reference Ground Level), the maximum permitted size of swimming pools, and the calculation of pergolas in the buildable surface. Not all these modifications are consolidated: they are often criticised for being unclear or impractical, and in some cases are withdrawn.
Architectural practices, including our own, actively participate in these processes, presenting well-founded comments and proposals aimed at improving the municipal planning regulations.
- Stricter Rules in Certain Aspects
In several respects, Calvià applies stricter standards than are usual elsewhere in Mallorca, such as:
- Lower maximum height for single-family houses.
- Restrictions on basement height and use.
- Mandatory reuse of grey water.
- Detailed landscaping regulations: terracing of open spaces, minimum percentages of garden area, mandatory tree species, lists of prohibited plants, and the requirement for an “as built” planting plan.
In addition, Calvià has an acoustic ordinance that strongly restricts construction noise from early May to the end of October, particularly affecting excavation and structural works. For this reason, it is advisable to plan construction so that excavation begins in autumn.
- Variety of Plots and Construction Challenges
The municipality of Calvià comprises around twenty very different localities: from luxury residential areas in Costa d’en Blanes, Bendinat, or Santa Ponça Nova, to traditional villages such as Es Capdellà and Calvià Vila, as well as mixed residential and tourist zones including Santa Ponça, Peguera, Illetes, and Magaluf.
Available plots —especially those of high quality— are scarce. Most current projects are developed on sites with existing buildings that are demolished to allow new construction in accordance with current planning regulations.
Many of the available plots are on steeply sloping terrain, which requires a high level of planning, accessibility, and construction logistics.
Conclusion
Calvià is a safe and efficient municipality in which to build in Mallorca. Although its regulations are stricter in certain respects, it offers an attractive combination:
- a consolidated planning framework,
- a modern and effective administration,
- and reasonable licensing times that provide security for investment and allow high-level projects to be delivered under reliable conditions.
