Cats, birds and dogs on balconies and terraces

Key rules

• Cat netting: Netting visible from the street or courtyard normally needs community approval before you install it.
• Permanent outdoor keeping: Pets cannot live permanently on a balcony, and dogs must never be tied up there.
• Throwing things out: Throwing food, water or droppings from a balcony, or feeding pigeons, is banned in most towns.
• Local rules: Fines and exact wording depend on your region and town, so check your local ordinance.

The short version

A balcony is fine as a place for your pet to visit. It is not fine as a place for it to live. Keep the space safe, quiet and clean, and check two things before you add anything: your community's rules and your town's ordinance.

Cat netting: ask the community first

Netting that can be seen from the street or a shared courtyard changes the look of the building's facade. In a flat, the facade belongs to the whole community, so you normally need its approval. The community's rules set the majority it needs to vote yes.

• Look at your community's bylaws (estatutos). If they ban changes to the facade, the community can demand that you remove the netting.
• Courts have sometimes tolerated discreet netting that is transparent and matches the facade colour. Results vary from case to case, so do not count on it.
• If you install netting without consent, the community can take action to make you remove it.
• If you live in a detached house outside a community, this approval rule does not apply to you.

Put the request on the agenda of a community meeting, or ask your administrator how to do it. Bring a photo or sample of the netting you plan to use.

Dogs and birds: never a permanent outdoor home

Animal welfare law bans keeping pets permanently tied up or shut in on a balcony, terrace, patio or roof. Dogs must never be tethered permanently. Regional laws and town ordinances add their own rules. They commonly require shelter and the ability for the animal to go back into the home whenever it wants.

Neighbours often report animals left outside, and that can lead to fines. Serious cases can become criminal. Check your region's animal law and your town's ordinance for the exact wording.

Noise

Barking, loud birds and cats that cry at night are the most common cause of complaints. Bring a noisy animal inside, especially in the evening and at night. Persistent nuisance can also be used against you under community rules.

Mess and food

Most town ordinances ban throwing anything from a balcony or window. That includes objects, water, food, crumbs and droppings.

• Clean up after your pet daily, and do not sweep or hose waste over the edge.
• Do not feed pigeons or stray animals from your balcony. It is banned in most towns, and it brings more birds and mess.
• Water plants only at the hours your town allows, and make sure nothing drips onto the street or your neighbours.

Fines are set by each town. They commonly run from tens of euros to several hundred, depending on how serious the offence is.

Safety

Check railings and gaps so a cat or small dog cannot slip through or fall. Keep toxic plants and cleaning products out of reach. Give shade and water in hot weather. Use the checklist below to run through these points, and the warnings below for the mistakes that cause the most trouble.

Checklist

• Read your community's bylaws (estatutos) for any ban on changes to the facade.

• Ask the community for approval before installing cat netting that can be seen from the street or courtyard.

• Choose transparent netting that matches the facade colour, so it does not noticeably change the building's look.

• Make sure any dog or bird on the balcony can go back into the home whenever it wants, with shelter.

• Check your regional animal law and town ordinance for rules on keeping pets outdoors.

• Keep pets off the balcony as a permanent home, and never tie a dog there.

What to watch out for

• Netting without consent: Netting seen from the street or courtyard changes the facade. The community can demand its removal if you install it without approval. Get community approval first and use discreet, transparent netting.

• Mess falling from the balcony: Most towns ban throwing water, food, crumbs or droppings from balconies. Fines run from tens of euros to several hundred, and neighbours can also complain to the community. Clean up regularly and water plants only at allowed hours, without dripping.

• Feeding pigeons: Feeding pigeons or stray animals from a balcony is banned in most towns and can bring a fine. Do not leave food or crumbs out on the balcony.

• Animals left outside permanently: Keeping a pet permanently on a balcony or terrace, or tying a dog there, breaches animal welfare law. It can bring fines, and serious cases can be criminal. Give the animal shelter and free access to the home at all times.

Frequently asked questions

Can the community make me remove cat netting that is already installed?

Yes, the community can demand removal if your bylaws (estatutos) forbid facade changes or the netting is conspicuous. Discreet, transparent netting that matches the building's colour is sometimes tolerated, but this is decided case by case. Installing it without consent risks a removal claim.

Does netting on a balcony need approval if I live in a detached house?

No, a detached house outside a community does not need community approval for netting. The community rules only apply to flats in a community building.

What fines can I get for dropping mess or feeding pigeons from my balcony?

Fines are set by each town and commonly run from tens of euros to several hundred euros. Most towns ban throwing water, food or crumbs from balconies and feeding pigeons. Ask your town hall for the local amounts.

Can I water my balcony plants whenever I want?

Often no, because many towns limit watering to certain hours.