Málaga City Council approves the modification of the PGOU that limits the location and size of pubs, nightclubs and reduces noise in restaurants with music from 90 to 85 decibels.
Málaga City Council has given the green light to an urban reform that tightens the conditions for nightlife and hospitality venues with music in the capital. Modification number 24 of the General Urban Planning Plan (PGOU), driven by the Urban Planning Management, introduces limits on size, location restrictions, and a reduction in permitted noise levels. The measure, which is being finalised for final approval, aims to reduce the acoustic impact on residential areas and adapt municipal regulations to regional ones.
New requirements for pubs and music bars
One of the most significant changes affects hospitality establishments with Class B music, which includes pubs, music bars, karaoke venues, and similar. From now on, these venues must have a minimum usable area of 100 square meters. Furthermore, they cannot be located on streets that have residential properties, whether at the front, sides, or upper floors. They also cannot be situated in urban or developable areas predominantly used for residential, healthcare, educational, or cultural purposes, according to the acoustic zoning of the PGOU.
This restriction responds in part to the demands of the Centro Antiguo Neighbourhood Association, which during the public information period requested greater guarantees to avoid the concentration of musical activities in residential environments. Although Urban Planning has not accepted all their requests, it has incorporated this limitation as a step forward for the protection of residents' rest.
Nightclubs and party venues: limit of 400 square meters
For nightclubs, party venues, and tablaos, the new regulation establishes that they cannot exceed 400 square meters of usable area. Additionally, they are excluded from areas with predominant residential, healthcare, educational, or cultural use. In areas where they are compatible, they must ensure their integration with existing uses. The neighbourhood association had requested that these businesses be located only in exclusive and detached buildings, but Urban Planning did not accept that demand, opting for the size limit as a control measure.
For residents of Centro Antiguo, this is an insufficient measure, as they believe that the concentration of large leisure venues remains a problem. Nevertheless, Urban Planning defends that the new limit will help prevent mega-nightclubs in sensitive areas.
Lower decibels for restaurants and cafes
The reform also reduces the permitted acoustic levels. Hospitality establishments with Class A music —cafes, restaurants, breweries, seafood restaurants, burger joints, coffee shops, or pizzerias with sound reproduction equipment— will see the maximum sound emission limit reduced from 90 to 85 decibels. The City Council hopes that this reduction will decrease noise pollution in the areas most affected by noise.
In contrast, for Class B venues (pubs, music bars), the 90 decibel limit remains, as they are considered to have a greater acoustic impact. The new regulation also reinforces the prohibition on using sound reproduction or amplification equipment in outdoor spaces linked to these establishments, such as awnings, tents, or covered patios.
The measure directly affects the residents of the capital, especially those living in the Historic Centre and leisure areas, who have been complaining about nighttime noise for years. With this modification, the City Council aims to balance hospitality activity with the right to rest, although hospitality owners have already expressed their concerns about the economic impact that the new restrictions may have.
The final approval of Modification number 24 of the PGOU is expected in the coming weeks, after which the new regulations will come into effect. Existing establishments will have a grace period to comply with the requirements, although Urban Planning has not yet specified the exact timelines.
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