Streamlined administrative processes for a lively city core - Streamlined administrative processes for enhanced urban living in metropolitan areas
Streamlined Outdoor Dining Regulations Boost City Centers in Rhineland-Palatinate
City centers in Rhineland-Palatinate, including Mainz, are making it easier for restaurants to offer outdoor dining, aiming to enhance the vitality and attractiveness of these urban hubs. Economic and Public Order Director Manuela Matz of Mainz's CDU recently emphasized the importance of gastronomy to the city center's allure.
To reduce bureaucracy, Mainz now requires a building permit for outdoor dining areas only if they exceed 50 square meters or involve the installation of podiums or canopies – an increase from the previous threshold of 20 square meters. Building permits for larger areas will also be valid for three years with simple extensions possible.
Industry association Dehoga in Rhineland-Palatinate underscores the significance of these regulations, citing a growing trend toward outdoor dining since the COVID-19 pandemic. People are increasingly drawn to spacious outdoor areas to avoid crowds, a preference that has continued post-pandemic.
Other towns in the region, including Kaiserslautern and Trier, have also adopted measures to promote outdoor dining. Kaiserslautern, for example, allows outdoor dining establishments to stay open until 11 p.m. on weekdays and midnight on weekends, with no further planned regulations. Trier has extended operating hours for outdoor dining terraces, allowing them to remain open until 11 p.m. on weekdays and 1 a.m. on weekends.
Trier has revamped its special use regulations for 2024, following extensive public consultations. Shops can now place seating outside their doors, standing tables are permitted under certain conditions, and heating is now allowed on outdoor terraces during winter. In Trier, a building permit is not mandatory for outdoor dining areas.
Ludwigshafen permits outdoor seating in the gastronomy sector without a building permit, with merely special use fees charged. During the UEFA European Football Championship 2024, the city administration shortened the closing time, allowing outdoor seating until 11:00 PM under specific conditions.
However, Koblenz does not plan to alter its outdoor gastronomy regulations. Outdoor seating must not obstruct traffic and must provide sufficient space for emergency services and fire departments. Monthly fees per square meter range from 2.65 to 6.10 euros, with the highest rates in the old town and the lowest in the outskirts.
The strategies employed by these cities – simplified permitting, zoning regulations, and collaborations with local businesses – aim to create vibrant city centers, boost local economies, and enhance appeal for both residents and tourists.
The simplified permitting process for outdoor dining areas in city centers, such as Mainz, aligns with the community policy, as it reduces bureaucracy and encourages employment opportunities in the gastronomy sector. The revamped lifestyle, which includes outdoor food-and-drink options, contributes to the home-and-garden atmosphere, making the city centers more attractive and innovative.
