Cotillas introduces new waste tax: from 35 to 60 euros per …

The Cotillas City Council has published in full the Fiscal Ordinance regulating the fee for the provision of the urban solid waste collection service, after the file underwent public consultation without receiving any allegations or claims. The text appears in the Official Gazette of the Province of Albacete number 116, dated October 5, 2026, within the Third Section (Local Administration), on pages 21 to 23, under announcement number 24.340. The ordinance will enter into force following its full publication and once the legal period has elapsed, with effective application starting from January 1, 2027.

Provisional approval in March and public exhibition

The provisional approval agreement was adopted by the Plenary of the Cotillas City Council in an ordinary session held on March 27, 2026. The file was subsequently submitted for public information for a period of thirty business days, counted from the day following the publication of the announcement in the Official Gazette of the Province number 55, dated May 15, 2026.

As no allegations or claims were presented, the provisional agreement was definitively adopted, in accordance with articles 49 and 70.2 of Law 7/1985, of April 2, regulating the Bases of the Local Regime, and article 17 of the consolidated text of the Law regulating Local Treasuries. The announcement was signed in Cotillas on September 21, 2026, by the mayor, Florencia Lozano Romero.

Annual fees per unit of use

The fee consists of a fixed annual amount for each unit capable of independent use, regardless of the cadastral reference, the number of connections, or whether several units belong to the same owner or operation. The published rates are as follows:

Homes or residences for domestic use: 35 euros per unit.
Bars, restaurants, and hospitality establishments: 60 euros per unit.
General commerce: 60 euros per unit.
Pharmacies: 60 euros per unit.
Rural houses or tourist accommodations: 60 euros per accommodation unit.

Taxpayers are the natural or legal persons who occupy, use, or benefit from the homes, premises, or establishments where the service is provided. The property owner acts as a substitute for the taxpayer and may pass the fee on to the users. Industrial waste, rubble, and hazardous waste are excluded from the service.

Annual accrual without pro-rating

The fee accrues when the provision of the service begins and is annual in nature, coinciding with the calendar year. The fee is required in full for complete annual periods, without pro-rating by quarters, months, or fractions of time: registration in the census at any time during the fiscal year obliges the payment of the full fee for that year.

Payment will be made annually within the voluntary period established by the Cotillas City Council, and unpaid debts will be collected via administrative enforcement. This ordinance repeals previous tax ordinances on the matter and shall remain in effect until its express modification or repeal.

Allegations and appeals

A contentious-administrative appeal may be filed against the final agreement before the Contentious-Administrative Chamber of the High Court of Justice of Albacete within two months, counting from the day following the publication of the announcement, in accordance with Law 29/1998, of July 13, regulating the Contentious-Administrative Jurisdiction. This is without prejudice to any other appeal deemed appropriate.

The regulation is issued under articles 133.2 and 142 of the Spanish Constitution and complies with Law 7/2022, of April 8, on waste and contaminated soils for a circular economy.

Impact for residents

The entry into force of the ordinance means that all homes, premises, and establishments in Cotillas will begin paying a specific municipal fee for garbage collection starting next fiscal year, with an annual bill of 35 euros for homes and 60 euros for most economic activities and accommodations. The text closes the process initiated in March and provides legal and financial coverage for the service, in line with the legal requirement that waste collection be financed through a specific, differentiated, and non-deficit fee.

Source: Official Gazette of the Province of Albacete, number 116 of October 5, 2026, Third Section. Local Administration, pp. 21-23 (official reference: announcement 24.340, document 299295).