The municipal council of Castro Marim has announced a firm crackdown on illegal urban developments across the municipality, with demolition proceedings set to move forward in cases that cannot be legalised.
In a statement released on Wednesday, February 25, the council says it will act “firmly and decisively” under its legal powers in matters of spatial planning and urban management.
Around 100 infringement reports have been recorded in recent years, relating to constructions and urban works carried out without the required municipal licence or authorisation, the council says.
Among the most common violations are the installation of wooden houses, mobile homes, prefabricated and modular houses, as well as converted shipping containers. While increasingly popular in Portugal due to their lower cost and faster installation compared to traditional masonry construction, the municipality stresses that these structures are subject to the same licensing requirements as conventional homes.
The council noted that a significant number of cases in Castro Marim involve foreigners who may be unaware of Portuguese planning laws, have been misled, or have taken advantage of what it describes as a complex administrative process.
Officials warn that dispersed, unlicensed housing creates serious planning and emergency response challenges. Municipal civil protection plans are designed around recognised urban areas, and irregular settlements complicate access, coordination and public safety during rescue operations.
A dedicated project team – including Civil Protection, urban planners, legal experts, social services and communications staff – will assess the most effective procedures for reducing, removing or, where possible, legalising illegal constructions.
In situations where buildings cannot be legalised and prior licensing was not obtained, the municipality says it will enforce urban planning laws by ordering demolitions and restoring land to its original condition.
If property owners fail to comply within the legally established deadlines, the council will carry out the demolitions itself, charging the costs to the offenders. Authorities may also take administrative possession of the property and report cases to the Public Prosecutor’s Office for possible criminal proceedings on grounds of disobedience, the council adds.
The municipality said each case will be individually assessed before demolitions are carried out in phases and in batches, in full compliance with legal procedures. Cost estimates for demolition works are currently being prepared to ensure what the council described as a “planned and financially responsible approach”.
At the same time, the council is calling on the Portuguese government to introduce specific legislation to regulate new housing models such as mobile, prefabricated and modular homes, particularly regarding installation, relocation and land-use rules.
