Municipal and Real Estate Law · Ecuador

EcuadorianMunicipaland Real Estate Law.

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We advise municipal governments and the companies that deal with them: local regulations, contracts, permits and defense before the municipality. We also support investors in acquiring, regularizing and developing real estate.

01 / Why Fexlaw

A project or an investment can be stalled by a permit, an ordinance or an improperly regularized property. That is why we review every municipal detail before it becomes a problem for your company.

ISO 37001Firm certified in an anti-bribery management system.
Great Place to WorkCertified as one of the best places to work.
0professionals, including lawyers, analysts and forensic experts.
0of our clients are corporations.
02 / Real estate roadmap

From the land to a fully compliant project.

When your company buys, builds on or regularizes a property, we support you at every stage before the municipality and third parties, so your investment moves forward on solid ground.

  1. 01Review

    Property due diligence

    We verify the property's legal status before you commit to the investment: ownership, encumbrances and municipal status.

    • Chain of title
    • Encumbrances and restrictions
    • Cadastral status
  2. 02Hire

    Purchase and contracts

    We draft and negotiate the contracts that protect your company when acquiring or leasing the property.

    • Purchase agreements and sales
    • Leases
    • Protective clauses
  3. 03Plan

    Land use and occupancy

    We review what municipal regulations allow on the property and how that fits the project your company wants to develop.

    • Land use regulations
    • Urban planning
    • Project feasibility
  4. 04Authorize

    Permits and licenses

    We obtain the building permits and licenses your project needs from the municipality.

    • Building permits
    • Municipal licenses
    • Application follow-up
  5. 05Regularize

    Properties and condominium regimes

    We regularize irregular properties and establish or amend condominium property regimes.

    • Property regularization
    • Condominium property regime
    • Bylaws
  6. 06Defend

    Disputes and taxes

    We handle boundary disputes, adverse possession claims and municipal taxes and fees, with support from other practices of the firm.

    • Boundaries and adverse possession
    • Taxes and fees
    • Claims before the municipality
03 / Services

Legal solutions in the municipal sphere.

We work with Decentralized Autonomous Governments and with private companies that contract with, invest in or file applications before them. These are the services most requested from us.

01Municipal governments

Advice on regulatory processes

We support GADs in drafting and reviewing ordinances and other local regulations, so they are clear, enforceable and lawful.

  • Draft ordinances
  • Regulatory review
  • Citizen participation
02Municipal governments

Defense of municipal authorities

We defend municipal authorities and officials in disciplinary and oversight proceedings and in disputes arising from their management.

  • Disciplinary proceedings
  • Oversight proceedings
  • Defense strategy
03Municipal governments

Municipal contracts and land disputes

We analyze municipal contracts with lawyers experienced in public procurement, and we handle disputes over land tenure, urban planning and public services.

  • Contract analysis
  • Land tenure
  • Public services
04Companies and investors

Permits, licenses and land use

We obtain building permits and municipal licenses, and we review the land use and occupancy allowed for each property.

  • Building permits
  • Municipal licenses
  • Land use and occupancy
05Companies and investors

Purchases and real estate due diligence

We review the property's legal status and prepare purchase agreements and real estate contracts that protect your company's investment.

  • Due diligence
  • Purchase agreements
  • Real estate contracts
06Companies and investors

Regularization, condominium regimes and taxes

We regularize properties, establish condominium property regimes and handle municipal taxes and fees together with our tax law practice.

  • Property regularization
  • Condominium property regime
  • Municipal taxes and fees
04 / Municipal sphere

We know the municipality from the inside.

We have worked with a range of Decentralized Autonomous Governments. That experience helps us understand how the municipality makes decisions and anticipate what a company needs in its dealings with it.

Experience with GADs

Advice to municipal governments and to those who deal with them.

We have supported a range of Decentralized Autonomous Governments in regulatory processes, disciplinary proceedings, land tenure, urban planning and public services. We put that knowledge to work for companies that invest, contract or file applications before the municipality.

Ordinances

Drafting and review of local regulations.

Citizen participation

Management of participation processes.

Disciplinary proceedings

Defense of authorities and officials.

Oversight

Assistance in oversight proceedings.

Land tenure

Urban planning and land disputes.

Municipal contracts

Analysis from a public procurement perspective.

Permits and licenses

Construction and operating permits before the municipality.

Taxes and fees

Municipal property taxes.

05 / How we work

One team, one point of contact.

01

Initial meeting

We listen to your situation in full confidence and review the information available.

02

Assessment

We identify risks, outstanding obligations and priorities for your company.

03

Plan and budget

We propose the roadmap, timeline and team, including any other practice areas of the firm that need to be involved.

04

Execution and follow-up

A lead lawyer coordinates everything and keeps you clearly informed at every step.

06 / Recognition

Six consecutive years in Band 1.

Leaders League has ranked Fexlaw in the top band for Criminal Law and Compliance in Ecuador for six years running. Chambers and Partners and the intellectual property rankings also recognize us for our anti-piracy work.

01
Leaders League
Band 1Leaders LeagueCriminal Law and Compliance · 6 consecutive yearsView ranking ↗02
Chambers and Partners
Ranked inChambers and PartnersLatin America 2027View ranking ↗03
IP STARS · Managing IP
Ranked firmIP STARS · Managing IPIntellectual property and anti-piracy · 2026View ranking ↗04
WTR 1000
Bronze BandWTR 1000Trademarks and anti-piracy · 2026View ranking ↗
07 / Team

The people behind your municipal matter.

Lawyers experienced in administrative law, civil law and litigation who understand how municipal governments work.

Anabel Racines Trávez, Head of the Civil, Administrative and Litigation Practice — FexlawPractice lead
01Anabel
01 / 02Anabel
Racines TrávezHead of the Civil, Administrative and Litigation PracticeView profile →
Paul Vinces Franco, Deputy Coordinator, Civil and Arbitration Practice — Fexlaw
02Paul
02 / 02Paul
Vinces FrancoDeputy Coordinator, Civil and Arbitration PracticeView profile →
08 / Frequently asked questions

What clients often ask us.

General answers to common questions. Every company is different: write to us so we can review your situation.

01

What is a municipal GAD?

It is the Decentralized Autonomous Government of each canton, that is, the municipality. Among other powers, it regulates land use and occupancy, issues building permits and collects taxes and fees on real estate.

02

Why conduct due diligence before buying a property?

Because it lets you find out, before paying, whether the property has encumbrances, title issues, municipal debts or use restrictions that could affect your company's project.

03

What do I need to review before building?

Mainly, what land use and occupancy municipal regulations allow for that property, and what permits and licenses the municipality requires for the type of construction. We help you identify and obtain them.

04

What is the condominium property regime?

It is the legal regime that allows a building or complex to be divided into independent units, such as apartments or offices, with shared common areas. It requires a formal declaration and bylaws that govern coexistence and shared expenses.

05

What should I do if I have a boundary dispute with a neighbor?

Gather the property's titles, plans and cadastral documents and seek legal advice before taking action. Depending on the case, you can pursue an agreement or go to court with our civil law practice.

CONTACT

Let's talk about
your project.

Choose the option that best describes your situation and we will message you directly on WhatsApp to book a confidential initial meeting.

REAL ESTATEMy company is going to buy, build on
or regularize a propertyBook via WhatsAppMUNICIPALITYI need advice on a matter
involving a municipal governmentBook via WhatsApp
Prefer to write to us? Use our contact formTell us what you need and we will contact you to schedule the meeting.Fill out the form
Offices in Quito · Guayaquil · Bogotá · Lima
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