Installing a patio
What is it?
In principle, no exemption is required for operating a terrace or display if you meet the general requirements as specified in the General Local Regulation (APV). The municipality defines a terrace as a part of a catering establishment located outside the enclosed space where seating is available and where meals, snacks, and/or drinks are served for a fee. A display is when someone offers goods on or along the road.
What to do.
If you do not comply with the general rules, you will need an exemption. Please contact the municipality for this. This also applies if you want additional terrace space on municipal land.
What does it cost?
A lease agreement is drawn up for the use of municipal land, which entails costs. You can request this from the municipality.
How long does it take?
You will receive notification within 8 weeks as to whether you will be granted the permit.
Objecting
If you disagree with the municipality's decision, you must lodge an objection within six weeks.
Additional information
General rules apply to the operation of a terrace or display based on the General Local Regulation and local policy.
The general rules for terraces are that:
- with regard to the location and maintenance of the terrace, the operator exercises due care;
- the terrace does not detract from the appearance of the street;
- the terrace does not pose a danger or cause excessive nuisance to the surrounding area;
- the terrace will be set up adjacent to the building in which the catering business is operated;
- on roads or sections of roads consisting of a carriageway and a sidewalk, the terrace is not placed on the carriageway and a free and unobstructed passage of at least 1.5 meters remains on the sidewalk between the terrace and the carriageway for pedestrians, wheelchairs, and strollers;
- On roads or sections of roads consisting solely of a sidewalk, a clear and unobstructed passage of at least 3.5 meters must remain for emergency services.
The general rules for displays are:
- A 1.2 m strip should in principle remain free for pedestrian traffic; to aid orientation for blind and visually impaired people, this strip should be located on each street in a logical walking route without many bends, close to the front of the shops.
- The times during which the placement of objects will be permitted will be linked to "business hours."
- the size of the display area depends on the public space available for the building in question;
- the displays may not exceed the width of the front of the building;