Streamlined administration for a more vibrant urban living in city centers - Streamlined Administration for Enhanced Urban Living in City Cores
Loosened Regulations Bolster Outdoor Dining in Rhineland-Palatinate City Centers
The city of Mainz, among others in Rhineland-Palatinate, is simplifying the rules for outdoor dining to invigorate its city center. Manuela Matz, Economic and Order Commissioner (CDU) of Mainz, emphasized the crucial role of gastronomy and their outdoor areas in bolstering the appeal and vitality of the city center.
In Mainz, a building permit for outdoor dining areas is now required only if they exceed 50 square meters or if podiums or canopies are installed—previously, permits were needed for areas larger than 20 square meters. Building permits for areas larger than 50 square meters will now be valid for three years, with uncomplicated extensions possible.
The Rhineland-Palatinate branch of the hospitality association DEHOGA underscores the importance of such regulatory adjustments, with President Gereon Haumann citing a growing preference for spacious outdoor dining spots since the pandemic.
Kaiserslautern has independently taken steps to ease outdoor dining restrictions, extending operating hours for terraces until 11 p.m. on weekdays and midnight on weekends and holidays. Likewise, Trier has extended hours for outdoor dining, allowing extended operation until midnight on weekdays and 1 a.m. on weekends while incorporating reduced noise in the final hour.
The adjusted special use regulation in Trier has been revised, including provisions that enable shops to place seating in front of their doors and allow standing tables under certain conditions. In some cities, such as Ludwigshafen and Trier, building permits are not required for outdoor seating in the gastronomy sector.
However, in Koblenz, outdoor seating requirements include maintaining clear passageways for emergency services and adhering to specific regulations for the placement of chairs and tables on public ground. Monthly fees for outdoor use vary depending on location within the city.
It is noteworthy that the easing of regulations for outdoor dining typically involves measures such as simplifying or temporarily waiving permit procedures for sidewalk cafes and outdoor seating, extending allowable outdoor seating areas, reducing or eliminating fees for extended outdoor use, adjusting hours of operation to encourage evening activity, and implementing health and safety protocols during pandemic times. For up-to-date information on the specific regulations in Mainz, Trier, and Kaiserslautern, consult local city government websites or recent news sources covering municipal policies.
- The community policy changes in Mainz, along with the Food-and-Drink sector, will significantly benefit from the relaxed permit requirements for outdoor dining areas, promoting a revitalized Lifestyle within the city center.
- In addition to easing outdoor dining restrictions, city centers like Trier and Kaiserslautinate have updated their Home-and-Garden regulations, enabling shops to create inviting outdoor dining spaces in front of their premises.
