Bucharest Mayor Introduces New Terrace Rules to Ease Public Spaces

Mayor Ciprian Ciucu of Bucharest unveiled a draft regulation for seasonal terraces, now open for public consultation. The proposal seeks to curb sidewalk encroachment and protect historic sites by requiring a continuous pedestrian corridor of at least 1.80 m, or a minimum width of 1.50 m where space is limited. It bans plastic furniture, opaque enclosures, and bright colors, mandating uniform tones such as gray, black, white, cream or beige. Noise limits will restrict music before 10:00, between 13:00‑14:00 and after 22:00, with a sound‑level tax applied to late‑night operations. In residential districts, terraces must close by 22:00 and cannot play music after that hour. The draft was prepared after consultations with the HoReCa sector and reviews of practices in other European cities. Authorities emphasized that the rules aim to improve pedestrian flow, preserve the architectural character of the Old Town and historic districts, and bring predictability to business owners.

The regulation remains in public debate and may be adjusted before a vote by the General Council of Bucharest.