Andorra la VellaAfter twelve years of its entry into force, the municipality of Andorra la Vella has decided to carry out an update of the regulation regulating the installation of terraces attached to hospitality establishments. The new text, which was approved in a common council session last week, has been updated mainly “with the aim of simplifying authorization procedures” and in order to improve coexistence with the neighborhood.
As explained by the Minister of Procedures, Taxes and Debts, Susagna Mosquera, in the new ordinance the need to request authorization for terraces that are located on privately owned land has been removed, and the obligation to to renew the authorizations of the temporary terraces for those businesses that intend to have them during the following year, thus eliminating procedures that are considered “unnecessary”.
On the other hand, the amount of the sanctions has also been updated, which after twelve years without review “had become obsolete, having thus lost a good part of their deterrent effect”, according to the text published this Wednesday in Official Gazette of the Principality of Andorra (BOPA). In this way, the amount of the maximum penalty, which until now could be 1,200 euros for very serious offenses (recidivism in two or more serious offences, was considered very serious) is increased to 2,000 euros, a fine that will be faced by those who occupy the public road without having the corresponding communal authorization. Mosquera also explained in the common council session that if the amount becomes effective within ten days from the notification, you will be able to enjoy a 50% discount on the amount of the penalty.
The councilor explained that a series of visits have been made to the establishments from the common in order to expose them to the current legislation and comment on the problems they may encounter. Mosquera emphasized that the objective is to tidy up these spaces, that there is a good neighborhood and respect the rest of the neighbors, while making sure that the establishments can have an attractive offer for their customers. The councilor of the opposition Miquel Canturri assessed that the current ordination was “very old and it was necessary to move forward” and recalled the work already done in the previous mandate to “fix” the public space, a work that he considers that gave good results.
The ordinance establishes that the operating hours of the terraces are established between eight in the morning and two quarter past one in the morning and it is also determined that exceptionally, the common may authorize the extension of the opening hours ‘opening of the terraces, indicating in which areas and until what time they can be open. This schedule is also modified, since in the ordination of 2012 it was set between ten in the morning and one in the morning.
And in the specific section on penalties, it should be noted that the minimum amount is 500 euros, when until now the minimum was 150 for minor offences. The order also establishes in a repealing provision, that the regulation of June 26, 2018 for terraces on Meritxell Avenue and Plaça de la Rotonda and the regulation of March 18, 2021 for terraces on Carrer Callaueta and Sant Esteve remain in force.