In the Corona crisis, the following usually applies: outside is better than inside. As long as it is summer, this can often be implemented in gastronomy, but it becomes more difficult with autumn and winter. Patio heater could help to make guests comfortable outside, but the devices are seen by many as climate killers, which is why they are banned in many cities. Should they now be temporarily released? A debate about this has flared up into federal politics – the rules are mostly made in cities. There is a patchwork of prohibitions, exceptions and permits:
No ban
In many cities there was no ban at all on the patio heaters on public bar areas. In Bremen for example, they are allowed, although not widely used. Also in Düsseldorf, Duisburg, Dortmund, Bonn, Cottbus, Potsdam and Kiel there are no bans, also in Frankfurt am Main. At the beginning of the year, a possible ban was still being debated here, which should be off the table for now. In Cologne There is also no general ban on patio heaters – although there are some design requirements. In Leipzig The rule for open spaces is one patio heater per 20 square meters. However, they must be applied for, and a fee of 20 to 30 euros is due, which is to be used for tree planting. In Dresden the mushrooms are also not prohibited in principle, but must be applied for.
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Temporarily allowed
The cities where patio heaters are to be temporarily allowed in autumn and winter include, among others Stuttgart. Mayor Fritz Kuhn (Greens) wants to suspend the ban in the city center by April next year in order to help the catering industry. He advocates the use of devices powered by green electricity. Also in Tübingen and Regensburg exceptions are planned. Essen wants to tolerate the actually forbidden patio heaters until the end of March. Also in Fürth there is currently a permit in response to the corona crisis.
In the debate
In Munich patio heaters are only allowed on public property as long as summer time applies. At the end of September, the city council is expected to deal with the issue; according to the administration, a permit would be possible “easily by majority vote”. Also in Augsburg, where patio heaters are largely banned, the decision on a possible relaxation is still pending.
It’s particularly complicated in Hamburg. Here the patio heaters are subject to approval and are often rejected by the responsible districts. Even the hospitality association Dehoga could not clarify where which rules apply. “Our requirement is the approval of patio heaters or other heating systems at least by the end of the year and not a patchwork quilt, but rather the same regulations for all districts,” says Dehoga President Franz J. Klein. Environment Senator Jens Kerstan (Greens) spoke out in favor of temporary use at the weekend: He could accept it if patio heaters were allowed again for a limited time.
Forbidden
In Berlin patio heaters have been banned in a number of districts and almost all of the city center since 2009. Dehoga, IHK and FDP are demanding temporary permission, but the red-red-green Senate has not yet responded to this. Only Senator for Economic Affairs Ramona Pop (Greens) was ready to talk about electric heating devices. They are not allowed in Hanover either.
Overall, there is a lot of understanding for patio heaters among the 10 largest German cities. According to the current status, you have little chance in one of them. They have already temporarily allowed two, and the debate is simmering in two more. Five never had a ban.
