It is now illegal to cop a squat on Rome’s famous Spanish Steps — with violators facing a fine of up to $280.

Locals, however, aren’t taking the ban sitting down.

“It seems to me to be a fascist-style provision that the municipality will be forced to review,” said Vittorio Sgarbi, an Italian art critic and former deputy minister of culture.

“Protecting a monument is fine, and obviously you shouldn’t eat on the steps, but the ban on sitting down is really excessive,” he told the ­AdnKronos news agency.

Tommaso Tanzilli, director of the Rome branch of the Italian hotels association, agreed.

“Criminalizing people for sitting down, especially if they are elderly, is a little exaggerated,” he said.

Police began enforcing the Spanish Steps ban Tuesday, using whistles and verbal commands to deter people. The steps leading up to the Trinità dei Monti church have long been a popular spot for residents and tourists.

“It’s about time that the Municipality of Rome starts providing seating facilities,” a person wrote on Instagram.