# Repairing a roof in Évora: tile inside the walls, the plan revision and heat > The council's plan says which tile to use inside the walls. What official sources confirm about repairing a roof in Évora, and what they do not. - Page: https://telhadoseguro.pt/en/roof-repair/evora - Language: English - Updated: 2026-11-03 ## Summary - Keeping the roof as it is needs no permit, and the 2011 plan says conservation inside the walls has no special conditions. - If you change the tile inside the walls, the plan asks for red ceramic canudo tile, or Roman tile in channels with cover tiles and canudo eaves. - Évora has the lowest repair need of the three cities: 72.9% of buildings need no repair, against 64.2% nationally. - The Urbanisation Plan is under revision: the suspension of some procedures ends, at the latest, 180 days after public consultation began. In Évora the roof is almost always red clay tile, the sun is strong for months and the historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The council's plan even says which kind of tile is used inside the walls. This guide gathers what official sources confirm for anyone who has to repair a roof in the municipality, and says where the sources are silent. What applies across the country is in the national guides, and we link to them. We do not repair roofs: we give information, with sources. *Updated 3 November 2026.* ## The essentials - **Keeping the roof as it is needs no permit**, under the national rule. The Évora Urbanisation Plan (2011 text) says, in article 67, that conservation works have no special conditions inside the walls. - **If you change the tile inside the walls, there is a rule:** red ceramic "canudo" tile, or Roman tile in channels with cover tiles and "canudo" eaves (article 73). - **The plan is under revision.** Between 7 September and 12 October 2026 there was public consultation, and the council explained that some planning procedures are suspended. Not those for altering existing buildings that do not worsen non-compliance. - **Évora has the lowest repair need of the three cities we cover:** 72.9% of buildings need no repair (national: 64.2%). - **Strong heat:** 86.5 days a year at 30 °C or more. ## What Évora's numbers say The municipality has 20,823 buildings in the 2021 Census (INE). Of these, 32.2% date from before 1961 (national: 23.1%) and 86.4% from before 2001. It is old, but relatively well kept. On condition: 19.6% need small repairs (national: 21.8%), 5.3% medium (national: 9.4%) and 2.3% deep (national: 4.6%). Together, 27.1% need some repair, against 35.8% nationally. The figures are for the whole building, not the roof. In absolute terms, 4,073 buildings need small repairs. ## The climate and what fails first At the IPMA station in Évora (1991-2020) it rains 596.1 mm a year. The data only start in June 1995, IPMA notes. On 6.8 days a year the rain passes 20 mm, and the biggest daily downpour was 92.6 mm, on 21 October 2020. What weighs most is the sun. There are 86.5 days at 30 °C or more and 31.9 at 35 °C or more, with 45.4 °C on 4 August 2018. There are also 5.9 days of frost, with -4.2 °C. The APICER and CTCV guide, which we use in the [tiles and climate guide](https://telhadoseguro.pt/en/guides/roof-tiles-by-climate), says lighter tiles tend to reflect more sun, and that insulating and ventilating the underside of the tile cuts the heat entering the house. For frost, it says to ventilate the tile and replace any that flakes. So in Évora what shows first is dried-out tile, flashings loosened by heat and worn eaves, which on single-storey houses are in plain view from the street. After a strong downpour, see the [leak causes guide](https://telhadoseguro.pt/en/guides/roof-leak-causes). The same technical guide ties most defects to lack of maintenance. ## Permit and plan rules The national rule is in the [permit guide](https://telhadoseguro.pt/en/guides/roof-works-permit-2026): conserving (restoring, repairing, cleaning) is exempt. In Évora, the Urbanisation Plan (amendment of January 2011, published on the council's site) adds, for the city inside the walls: - **Article 4.** Defines conservation as keeping the property without modifying structural elements, exterior finishes, internal layout or uses. - **Article 67.** Conservation works have no special conditions. - **Article 73.** Roofs should be red ceramic "canudo" tile, preferably handmade, or Roman tile in channels with cover tiles and "canudo" eaves. With under-tile, "canudo" tile is used in channels and covers. A terrace finished in brick tile is allowed, as is keeping the existing tile type if it is legal. - **Article 76.** Solar panels only against south-facing roofs, with the tops painted tile colour and grey, or on terraces, and never visible from public space. - **Articles 13 and 14 (whole city).** On listed buildings only conservation, restoration and, exceptionally, rehabilitation are authorised. Buildings of heritage value have their own rules, depending on their class. **Revision under way.** The council decided to start the 4th revision of the Urbanisation Plan and opened public consultation. According to its clarification, the suspension of procedures ends when the plan comes into force or 180 days after consultation began, whichever comes first. By our count that is around March 2027. Requests to rebuild or alter existing buildings that do not worsen non-compliance or that improve safety and health are not suspended. Roof repair is exempt anyway. If in doubt, ask. **UNESCO historic centre.** In 2021 the council started a Safeguarding Detail Plan for the Historic Centre, covering the listed area and 50 metres around the walls. The council's page, updated in April 2025, does not show an approved plan. We do not know what it will say about roofs. ## Who to ask at the council Rehabilitation questions: Housing and Urban Rehabilitation Unit, cme.uhru@cm-evora.pt, telephone 266 777 078. The council's general contact: 266 777 000 and cmevora@cm-evora.pt. The Urban Planning and Rehabilitation Division is at Rua da Agricultura 14 to 26, in the Parque Industrial e Tecnológico de Évora. Ask in writing whether your work is exempt and keep the answer. For a flat in a condominium, see [who pays](https://telhadoseguro.pt/en/guides/condominium-roof-who-pays). ## Aid and benefits - **Casario Branco.** A council programme, with rolling applications until 31 December 2029, for conserving and painting facades inside the walls, with a 48-hour fast track and fee exemption. It requires lime or mineral paints. From what we read, it is for facades, not roofs. - **1.º Direito.** Aid for conservation works for resident owners living in poor conditions, with average monthly income up to 2,148.52 euros, according to the council's page. - **Tax benefits in the ORU.** IMI exemption for 3 years, plus 5 more for rental or permanent own home, and IMT exemption. They require the building's condition to rise two levels. The council also mentions 6% VAT on rehabilitation contracts in an urban rehabilitation area: see the [VAT guide](https://telhadoseguro.pt/en/guides/roof-works-vat). - **Simple Urban Rehabilitation Operation.** Approved, Aviso 2347/2019, for 10 years. - **Roof programmes.** A 2017 operation lists past programmes for roofs. We do not know if they are open. ## Storms and emergencies In the minutes of 5 February 2026 the council speaks of local flooding, fallen trees and damage to homes, with no count of roofs. Évora is not on the calamity lists. See the [aid guide](https://telhadoseguro.pt/en/guides/storm-kristin-roof-aid). In immediate danger, 112. The Municipal Civil Protection Service lists the free number **800 206 405** for incidents, telephone 266 777 150 and email smpc.ocorrencias@cm-evora.pt. If the roof is already damaged, follow the [first 48 hours](https://telhadoseguro.pt/en/guides/damaged-roof-first-48-hours). Then compare quotes in the [quote checker](https://telhadoseguro.pt/en/roof-quote-checker) and [check the contractor](https://telhadoseguro.pt/en/roofing-contractor-check). To decide, see [repair or replace](https://telhadoseguro.pt/en/roof-repair/repair-or-replace) and the [repair hub](https://telhadoseguro.pt/en/roof-repair). More data in [Roofs in Évora](https://telhadoseguro.pt/en/roofs-evora). ## What we could not confirm - **Whether the 2011 text of the Urbanisation Plan** is what applies today, after the revision under way. - **Whether the Safeguarding Detail Plan** is approved and what it says about roofs. - **Rules outside the walls:** we did not read the PDM or a municipal building regulation. - **Whether Casario Branco** accepts roof works. - **Whether an open municipal programme** exists just for roofs. - **How many roofs** were damaged in Évora in 2026. ## Sources (read on 3 November 2026) - Câmara de Évora, [Plano de Urbanização de Évora, regulamento, alteração de janeiro de 2011](https://www.cm-evora.pt/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/RegulamentoPUE.pdf) (articles 4, 13, 14, 67, 73 and 76). - Câmara de Évora, [Plano de Urbanização](https://www.cm-evora.pt/municipe/areas-de-acao/ordenamento-territorio-e-urbanismo/planos-municipais/plano-de-urbanizacao-de-evora-2/), updated 1 October 2026, and [Esclarecimentos sobre suspensão de operações urbanísticas](https://www.cm-evora.pt/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Esclarecimentos-suspensao-de-operacoes-urbanisticas.pdf). - Câmara de Évora, [Plano de Pormenor de Salvaguarda do Centro Histórico](https://www.cm-evora.pt/municipe/areas-de-acao/ordenamento-territorio-e-urbanismo/planos-municipais/plano-de-pormenor-de-salvaguarda-do-centro-historico-de-evora/), updated 2 April 2025. - Câmara de Évora, [Reabilitação Urbana](https://www.cm-evora.pt/municipe/areas-de-acao/habitacao-e-reabilitacao-urbana/reabilitacao-urbana/), [IMI e IMT](https://www.cm-evora.pt/municipe/areas-de-acao/habitacao-e-reabilitacao-urbana/beneficios-fiscais/imi-e-imt/), [IVA a 6%](https://www.cm-evora.pt/municipe/areas-de-acao/habitacao-e-reabilitacao-urbana/beneficios-fiscais/reducao-de-iva-a-6/), [1.º Direito](https://www.cm-evora.pt/municipe/areas-de-acao/habitacao-e-reabilitacao-urbana/apoios-financeiros/1o-direito/) and [Casario Branco](https://www.cm-evora.pt/municipe/projetos-municipais/programa-casario-branco/o-que-e-o-casario-branco/). - Câmara de Évora, [A Proteção Civil](https://www.cm-evora.pt/municipe/areas-de-acao/protecao-civil/a-protecao-civil/) and [Contactos úteis](https://www.cm-evora.pt/municipe/agenda-e-noticias/contactos-uteis/). - INE, Census 2021 (indicator 0011482); IPMA, [climate normal Évora 1991-2020](https://www.ipma.pt/bin/file.data/climate-normal/cn_91-20_EVORA.pdf). - APICER and CTCV, [Guia para Projeto e Aplicação de Telhas Cerâmicas](https://www.apicer.pt/apicer/media/5c06bd0e8d436.pdf), 2nd edition, 2018. ## FAQ ### Which tile can I use inside Évora's walls? Article 73 of the Urbanisation Plan (2011 text) asks for red ceramic canudo tile, preferably handmade, or Roman tile in channels with cover tiles and canudo eaves. It allows keeping the existing tile type if it is legal. ### Does the plan revision block my roof repair? Not at the outset. The council explained that the suspension does not reach requests to rebuild or alter existing buildings that do not worsen non-compliance, and conserving the roof is exempt. If in doubt, ask the council. ### Does the Casario Branco programme pay for the roof? From what we read on the council's page, it is for conserving and painting facades inside the walls, not roofs. There is a 48-hour fast track and fee exemption. --- Source: https://telhadoseguro.pt/en/roof-repair/evora. Independent information, not legal or tax advice.