Prague has taken steps to accelerate the implementation of new rules for outdoor seating offered by restaurants, cafes and pubs in the city center in recent months. Businesses that violate the newly adopted rules or try to delay their effectiveness through pointless litigation face harsh sanctions.

Prague started implementing new regulations for downtown restaurant front gardens in 2021. In May of the same year, the Prague City Council approved a concept for outdoor garden seating in the busiest locations in downtown Prague (the so-called Royal Way, the streets along former city walls, and the lower part of Wenceslas Square). In July, the rules were formalized in a manual for restaurant operators. The regulations concern sidewalk seating placement and structures, fencing, shading, facilities, and winter operation - all in order to ensure that the front gardens blend with and improve public space experience, rather than creating obstacles and visual smog.

“We decided to significantly accelerate the implementation of new rules for front gardens in Prague city center. I have told the operators, who are suing to delay the effectiveness of the new rules, that unless they drop the lawsuits by the end of September and put their front gardens in line with the new requirements, they cannot expect us to sign new contracts with them once the litigation is over. Therefore, if they do not make their mind quickly, we will make them cease to operate the outdoor seating. I believe that this new approach will motivate them to stop litigating,” Adam Zábranský, Prague Councilor for property, transparency, and legislation, summarized the city’s method to resolve the issue.