Minister Browne extends regulations to waive street furniture fees for outdoor dining up to September 2026
- Foilsithe:
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 28 Iúil 2025
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne has signed the Planning and Development (Street Furniture Fees) Regulations 2025, waiving street furniture fees up to and including the 30 September 2026.
These Regulations relate to the removal of street furniture licence fees for ‘tables and chairs outside a hotel, restaurant, public house or other establishment where food is sold for consumption on the premises’.
Minister James Browne said:
“I have made the decision to waive street furniture fees up to 30 September 2026 to support the hospitality, restaurant and tourism sectors.
“By extending the waiver to next year, the 2026 summer season will also be covered.
“I understand the financial pressures on hospitality businesses such as cafés, public houses and restaurants having worked in hospitality myself for many years.
“Our towns and villages are vibrant and energised over the summer months as people have the opportunity to sit outside and socialise.
“This move will allow and encourage the hospitality sector to provide outdoor seating without the associated licence fee, for the benefit of everyone.”
The regulations are a repeat of initiatives since 2021 and are aimed at supporting economic recovery and business activity in urban areas, particularly in the hospitality, restaurant and tourism sectors, up to the 30 September 2026.
This waiver will continue to assist the hospitality sector by reducing the cost for maintaining outdoor dining on public roads.
Minister Browne signalled in May of this year that he would seek to waive street furniture licence fees for tables and chairs associated with outdoor dining for the remainder of 2025.
However, following further consideration, the waiver was extended to September 2026 to allow for greater certainty particularly for small businesses.
The regulations Minister Browne has now signed waive licence fees which are currently set at €125 per table, per year.