Installing a pergola on an apartment terrace isn’t just about choosing the model. The Horizontal Property Law (LPH) establishes rules you must know before any installation.

What does the Horizontal Property Law say?

Article 7.1 of the LPH establishes that an apartment owner cannot make alterations to architectural elements, installations, or services that modify the configuration or exterior appearance of the building without the community’s consent.

This means you need authorization if:

The pergola is visible from outside the building
You alter the facade’s aesthetics
The installation affects common elements (walls, floor slabs, drains)

Required majority

According to the LPH reform and recent jurisprudence, to install a pergola you need:

Simple majority (more than 50% of attendees at the meeting) if the pergola doesn’t alter safety, general structure, or the building’s exterior configuration
3/5 majority if the installation significantly affects the building’s aesthetics

Practical steps

Prepare documentation: photos, technical specifications, colors, and pergola dimensions
Request inclusion on the agenda of the next homeowners’ meeting
Present your project: explain that the pergola is demountable, doesn’t damage the structure, and improves energy efficiency
Get written approval: make sure it’s recorded in the meeting minutes

Tips to avoid conflicts

Choose colors that harmonize with the building facade
Present a professional project, not an improvised sketch
Ensure the pergola is demountable (this facilitates approval)
If neighbors are reluctant, offer to show them a similar installation in person

At Pergolas Canarias we provide complete technical dossiers to present to your community. Contact us.