FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Bars, restaurants and hotels can use up to 25% of the sidewalk width for placing tables and chairs for business purposes.
But now, the granting of any new permit for the use of up to 25% of the sidewalk will be conditioned by the implementation of a new obligation by businesses: to plant a tree for every chair placed. The obligation to plant a tree for every chair placed on the sidewalk will also apply to kiosks.
Announced in September 2025, the Council of Ministers has already proposed new rules for the use of public spaces through a draft decision.
The draft decision "On the approval of the regulation on the use of public space" consists of 13 chapters and establishes a new and detailed framework for the administration and use of public spaces at the national level.
The regulation initially sets out general provisions and defines the structures responsible for implementation and monitoring, as well as specifically regulating the use of spaces by gastronomic businesses (bars, restaurants, hotels), the display of goods outside commercial units, ambulant activities and markets.
It also addresses new rules for issuing permits for the placement of kiosks and advertising structures (such as city lights and LED signs), the use of facades for advertising, the organization of fairs, promotional, cultural and political activities, as well as the management of public spaces on beaches and new rules for occupying sidewalks with scaffolding during construction works.
Finally, it includes final provisions that regulate its implementation in practice.
For the use of public spaces by gastronomic businesses (bars, restaurants, hotels), the regulation specifically stipulates that in cases where the placement of chairs is foreseen, the entity is obliged to plant a tree for each chair placed. “The permit is considered valid only after official documentation of the planting of trees and full fulfillment of the relevant tax and financial obligations,” the regulation states.
But the regulation categorically prohibits these businesses from placing windbreak structures, vases, or carpets on green spaces. While charcoal or electric grills are prohibited from being placed on the sidewalk without an extractor hood.
Applications for sidewalk usage permits will be made to the local government through the e-Albania platform.
The term of the permit granted will be 2 years, while for provisional permits for holidays the term will be 30 days.
The regulation also imposes strict measures on all categories of businesses that violate the conditions set out in the permit.
Initially, businesses are given a warning to correct the violations within 2 to 5 days. If the violations are not corrected, the entity is fined no less than 35,000 lek per square meter, depending on the area used.
For months, the relevant institutions have been continuing the campaign to free up public spaces across the country. In September 2025, Prime Minister Edi Rama announced new rules for the use of public spaces, announcing that a tree would be planted for every occupied chair./Monitor
Lini një Përgjigje