The sanctioning regime for the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Terrassa aligns with that of other municipalities in the second metropolitan ring, such as Sabadell, Rubí, Granollers, or Vilanova. The municipal ordinance, which came into effect on December 9th of last year, stipulated fines for vehicles not meeting environmental requirements. However, in the first eight months of its application, only 19 penalties have been recorded.
This slow pace of sanctions is expected to continue at least until 2029, the scheduled date for the LEZ's technical project review. One of the primary reasons for this situation is the numerous exemptions provided for residents within the designated zone. The ordinance allows for temporary access, circulation, and parking permits for vehicles without an environmental sticker if their owners are registered in the LEZ, possess permanent permits for pedestrian areas, or have a parking space within this zone.
Cities in the second metropolitan ring, like Terrassa, have found a legal loophole to exempt residents who can prove their registration within the LEZ's affected area from sanctions, almost indefinitely. Although the regulation may be imprecise, these city councils ensure they do not have to fine residents until at least 2029.
The City Council of Terrassa states that the sanctioning regime was activated at the end of 2025, although the first reports were issued a month prior. This was because no vehicle had exceeded the annual limit of 24 authorized accesses. Furthermore, the implementation of the LEZ experienced temporary suspensions due to the Rodalies (commuter rail) crisis.
