Overview

• The plan bars businesses in Ciutat Vella from obtaining new licenses in zones saturated by restaurants, cannabis shops and mobile phone accessory stores under strict density, street width and premises size rules.
• Officials have grouped 180 specific activities into 13 categories across three impact levels to regulate openings based on public space footprint, noise and waste generation.
• New establishments will be prohibited from dedicating more than 20% of their offerings to products linked to non-admitted activities, effectively targeting souvenir stalls and nail salons.
• Special criteria for La Rambla and Via Laietana will allow larger cultural venues to support a culture-driven revival and preserve each thoroughfare’s unique identity.
• Existing licenses remain intact, but the city council plans to bolster inspection services to enforce the new regulations once approved by late 2025.