Hamburg's outdoor gastronomy: Districts plan less bureaucracy for tavern terraces!

Hamburg's outdoor gastronomy: Districts plan less bureaucracy for tavern terraces!

Altona, Deutschland - In Hamburg, the outer gastronomy flourishes. In the Mitte district in particular, new regulations are being considered to make life easier for the restaurateurs. You currently have to apply for new special permits every year in order to be able to host guests outside. But that could change soon. The new district coalition of SPD, Greens and FDP plans to introduce several years to reduce the bureaucratic effort. FDP group leader Timo Fischer emphasizes that this not only saves time, but also optimizes the processes for the administration. The mopo reports that should also be allowed in other parts of the city, not only in the city center and on the Hansaplatz in St. Georg.

Currently, restaurateurs in the middle are currently only allowed to use their outdoor terraces from the beginning of March to the end of October. These temporal guidelines still stand for discussion. In Altona, the district politicians also deal with approval practice and consider similar relief, as Dana Vornhagen, co-chair of the Greens faction Altona, notes. A decision could already be made in the next district meeting on June 26th.

bureaucratic hurdles and local differences

A meeting of different regulations causes confusion. The different approval practices between the districts are difficult to understand, since all administrations are subject to the Hamburg Wegengesetz. This law stipulates that no permanent special permits are allowed. Nevertheless, each district can determine the duration of the permits, which leads to this difference. hamburg.com informs about the conditions that must be met for the granting of a special use permit. For restaurateurs, this means not causing any restrictions in traffic safety, traffic flow or in public matters if they want to operate external catering.

The requirements for the applications are also clearly regulated. Among other things, restaurateurs must submit documents that explain the type and scope of the planned special use. Contrary to acceptance, however, there is no entitlement to approval, even if the criteria are met. The decision is at the discretion of the responsible body and is always limited.

with volume and environmental protection in harmony

Another topic that should not be missing in the discussion about outdoor catering is noise protection. Restaurants must observe the provisions of the Federal Immission Control Act and the technical guidance to protect against noise. The night's sleep generally begins at 10 p.m., while many federal states no longer know a curfew. Nevertheless, special regulations for the curfew, which are usually linked to the night's sleep, apply to the outdoor catering. The hospitality magazine illuminates the various legal requirements that can vary depending on the state and municipality.

Of course, restaurateurs cannot just get started. A concession is imperative if alcoholic beverages are to be served. The application for this, as well as the subsequent expansion of the restaurant permit, requires careful preparation. Shops with outdoor catering also wave up in 2025 and provide many companies the urgently needed support in economically challenging times.