Imagine arriving at the weekend with the illusion of having a barbecue in your garden only to, in the end, face a fine of 700 euros.
In a recent incident posted by user @maxikhen29 on TikTok, a city resident was fined €700 for the simple act of barbecuing in his own garden. Apparently, the fifth-floor neighbor, who has neither a garden nor a barbecue, was the one who reported the act. Can this be legal? Let’s analyze it.
Is it allowed to barbecue on terraces or in gardens in Barcelona?
In Barcelona, the regulations on barbecues have been reinforced as a result of the municipal ordinances approved in 2024, with the aim of preventing fires and minimizing neighborhood nuisances.
These regulations vary according to the type of dwelling and the place where the activity takes place.
In private gardens, barbecues are allowed, as long as they do not generate nuisance to neighbors. According to municipal regulations, smoke, noise and odors may be considered grounds for sanction if they affect other dwellings, as they are classified as annoying, unhealthy or dangerous activities.
However, barbecues are totally prohibited on terraces, balconies and buildings in the city. This prohibition responds to safety reasons, especially after the forest fires registered in Catalonia. In these spaces, lighting fires is considered an infraction, even if it is a common practice during the summer months.
In urbanizations outside the urban core, barbecues are allowed only if certain requirements are met: they must have a spark killer, be enclosed by three walls, and be located more than 500 meters from forest areas. In addition, the use of charcoal or firewood is restricted, and only gas or electric devices, which generate less smoke, are allowed.
The fire risk calendar must also be taken into account. Generally, between March 15 and October 15, outdoor barbecues are prohibited for safety reasons.
Failure to comply with these rules may result in penalties of up to 500 euros, depending on the seriousness of the infraction. The amount may also be higher if there are other factors or reportable acts that aggravate it.