The province of Cádiz is seeing a significant increase in unauthorized construction on agricultural land. After the autumn rains, local authorities have faced a surge of new buildings springing up not only along the coast, but also deeper inland. Prefabricated homes are going up especially quickly, allowing developers to act rapidly and avoid drawing the attention of inspectors.
In recent years, illegal construction has once again become a major issue for municipalities in Cádiz. Whereas such structures were previously concentrated in coastal areas, they are now spreading actively into the interior. These houses often appear on plots where any type of construction is officially banned, including streambeds and zones considered dangerous to life.
To combat this situation, municipalities have tightened controls. In Jerez, for example, a special department was created to monitor the situation and detect new violations. Authorities use satellite imagery as well as regular inspector patrols to track changes on the ground. Despite these measures, however, the number of illegal buildings continues to rise, especially on weekends when oversight is weaker.
New Schemes and Risks for Buyers
In recent months, there has been a rise in cases where large plots of land are divided into smaller lots and sold without building permits. Buyers are often unaware that the transaction is illegal, while some knowingly take the risk, hoping for quick profits or trying to avoid penalties. To speed up the process, mobile homes and prefabricated structures are used, allowing construction to be completed in just a few days.
Authorities note that these schemes often lack basic infrastructure—water, electricity, and sewage systems. Such deals may also be linked to money laundering and, at times, organized crime. Advertisements for these properties regularly appear on social media, further complicating efforts to detect and stop such activity.
Response measures and difficulties of prosecution
To combat illegal construction, authorities use various methods—from drones for aerial surveillance to administrative and criminal penalties. If violations are found, the land and buildings are sealed, and organizers face hefty fines that can reach up to 120,000 euros. In particularly serious cases, criminal prosecution with real prison terms is possible.
However, the process of bringing those responsible to justice is often delayed by bureaucratic procedures and the need for legal proceedings. As a result, many properties continue to be used despite bans, and some owners manage to sell them to third parties.
The issue of illegal construction in Cádiz is becoming increasingly acute. Local and regional authorities are being forced to search for new approaches to address the problem, protect rural areas, and prevent further environmental destruction.
