Valkenswaard updates terrace rules for clearer guidelines and better enforcement
Valkenswaard has revised its terrace policy to enhance clarity for hospitality entrepreneurs and improve enforcement. The changes, effective immediately, include new rules on TV screens, heating, and marked boundaries, aiming to boost the town’s ambiance and livability.
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Policy Name | Beleidsregels Terrassen 2026 e.v. |
| Effective Date | 1 April 2026 |
| Key Changes | Updated legal framework, TV screen regulations, terrace heating rules, marked boundaries |
| Legislation Alignment | Omgevingswet (Environment and Planning Act), Alcohol Act |
| Stakeholder Collaboration | Hospitality entrepreneurs, municipal departments |
| Enforcement | Uniform assessment of applications, improved supervision |
| Location | Valkenswaard (town centre, Statie, village cores) |
The municipality of Valkenswaard is responsible for regulating local hospitality policies to ensure quality, safety, and livability in public spaces. These updated terrace regulations reflect the municipality’s role in balancing entrepreneurial freedom with community interests under national legislation.
Read the full translated article below
Mayor establishes updated Terrace Policy Regulations
The municipality of Valkenswaard has updated its policy regulations regarding terraces. These adjustments better align the rules with the ambition for quality, ambiance, and livability in Valkenswaard. Terraces play a key role in the atmosphere and experience of the town centre, the Statie, and village cores. The changes provide greater clarity for hospitality entrepreneurs, improved supervision, and alignment with the latest legislation.
Key changes
The updated rules are outlined in the ‘Beleidsregels Terrassen 2026 e.v.’. The new version includes an updated legal framework in line with, among others, the Omgevingswet (Environment and Planning Act) and the Alcohol Act, while the provisions have been streamlined. A new addition is the explicit regulation of the use of TV screens on terraces, as well as terrace heating. Furthermore, terrace boundaries will now be clearly marked in the pavement for unambiguous visibility. This update makes the terrace policy more transparent, future-proof, and easier to enforce, while terrace applications and layouts can be assessed more uniformly. The revised Beleidsregels Terrassen 2026 e.v. can be found at: Economisch beleid | Valkenswaard.
Collaboration with entrepreneurs and partners
For the revision, active input was gathered from relevant partners, including hospitality entrepreneurs and internal municipal departments. This collaboration has resulted in a practical and realistic policy that takes into account the various interests in the area. The new regulations are established through a mayoral decree, making them immediately applicable to new applications.