By Marc Menendez-Roche •
Updated: 27 Nov 2024 • 20:38 • 2 minutes read
Palma puts the brakes on caravan campers with tough new rules fines up to €1,500 on the horizon.
In a move that’s sure to anger motorhome enthusiasts, Palma’s council has announced a crackdown on using caravans as makeshift homes. The new civic ordinance, approved by the Junta de Govern and heading to the council s full assembly in December, bans overnight stays in caravans, with fines ranging from €750 to €1,500.
Council U-turn: Caravan crackdown goes full throttle despite complaints.
Motorhome owners in Palma had hoped for a reprieve after the council initially hinted at softening its hardline stance on caravan living. Early drafts of the new ordinance suggested caravan owners might be allowed to eat and sleep inside their vehicles, provided no activity spilt outside.
But in a sudden U-turn, the Ajuntament has decided to stick to the original wording of the law. The draft, now finalised, enforces a total ban on using caravans as homes, regardless of whether activities remain confined to the vehicle.
This decision, despite vocal complaints from the caravan community, signals the council s determination to clean up the streets and enforce what it calls a more civic way of living.
Move along: Cars are for driving, not dwelling
Mayor Jaime Martínez delivered the stern message during the ordinance’s unveiling, stating, “A vehicle is for moving, not living. Whether it’s a caravan, car, or bus, they’re for transport, not housing.”
The rule aims to tackle unauthorised motorhome camps springing up across the city, particularly in areas like Son Gual and Son Hugo. While officials initially considered allowing eating and sleeping inside caravans as long as no activity spilt outside, they’ve ultimately stuck to their guns.
The message is clear: living in caravans is off-limits in Palma. However, Martínez acknowledged that “each case is unique” and hinted at leniency for the vulnerable.
Those caught violating the ordinance face hefty fines, unless they’re in designated camper-friendly areas.
Motorhomes can still be parked in standard vehicle spaces, but they’re limited to ten consecutive days in one spot the same restriction applied to regular cars.
Safety net for those who are struggling?
For those living in caravans due to financial hardship, the council promises a softer touch. Social services will step in to provide support, but if the person refuses to budge, local police have the authority to act. Martínez argued that “In Palma, people live in homes, not caravans.”
What’s next?
The new ordinance spells trouble for motorhome enthusiasts who’ve long enjoyed the freedom of the open road but in Palma, that road now has some very strict rules. With a council determined to take action, the days of free urban camping look numbered.
Are these rules the road to ruin for campers, or a necessary measure to protect Palma’s streets? You decide. Leave us a comment below.
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Written by
Marc Menendez-Roche
Marc is a writer, teacher, and language enthusiast with a passion for making complex topics simple and accessible.
With a background in business and legal communication and an interest in educational neuroscience, Marc has spent over a decade teaching and writing.
Now, as part of the team at Euro Weekly News, Marc enjoys diving into entertaining topics and stories that matter to the community.
When he’s not writing, Marc loves practising martial arts, playing football, cooking up a storm in the kitchen, or spending quality time with friends and family, but above all, Marc enjoys spending time with his son, Macson.
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