Hamburg-Mitte relaxes rules for outdoor dining – what’s next!

Hamburg-Mitte relaxes rules for outdoor dining – what’s next!

In Hamburg, and especially in the Mitte district, the future of outdoor dining is on the agenda. On June 16, 2025, the district decided to reduce the bureaucratic hurdles for outdoor restaurants in order to enable year-round use of outdoor spaces. Loud NDR New areas could be added in the city center and at Hansaplatz after outdoor dining has already been approved there.

The measures are no coincidence. In the Hamburg scene, complaints about noise and lack of space have increased, especially in trendy districts. In 2024, for example, 12 noise complaints were recorded in the Hamburg-Mitte district and 34 in Altona. A sound engineering study by the Altona district office even showed that in these areas the permissible noise limits were sometimes exceeded by more than 30 decibels at night, which understandably upsets residents. The new coalition made up of the SPD, Greens and FDP wants to remedy this by introducing a “night commissioner” for Hamburg-Mitte. Such positions have already proven successful in St. Pauli and could ensure peace here too.

Regulations and challenges

However, restaurateurs who want to use outdoor spaces must continue to adhere to a number of strict regulations. These are divided into four categories and concern, among other things, immission protection, which focuses on sound and noise protection as well as light emissions. There is a nationwide quiet period from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. here. The maximum permitted noise level in urban areas is 45 decibels, which poses an additional challenge for restaurant owners. Ultimately, windbreaks are just one example of noise reduction measures that restaurateurs can take. Report this next patronage also other organizations.

However, some affected restaurateurs fear that new regulations called for by the SPD and the Greens could endanger the much-vaunted outdoor catering. These include, among other things, the revision of the Senate resolution from 2007, which allows longer operating hours, as well as the intended restriction of opening times to 10 p.m. Opposition parties such as the FDP, on the other hand, warn against over-regulation and emphasize the importance of outdoor catering for tourism and social life. The creation of an interdepartmental task force could be helpful in finding a balance between residents' interests and the needs of the catering industry.

A dialogue between residents and restaurants

The dialogue between residents and restaurateurs is particularly important to the district government. Joint regulations should be developed in workshops to ensure harmonious coexistence. This could lead to a win-win situation where both restaurateurs and residents can benefit.

Overall, outdoor catering in Hamburg is not only being reregulated through this transformative process, but is also experiencing an upgrade that could ideally take a positive turn for everyone involved. Let's hope that with all these changes, good taste and the quality of life in the city don't fall by the wayside!