Occupation of public land on Via Maqueda and Via Vittorio Emanuele, here are the new rules

The Municipality introduces stricter rules for the occupation of public land on the two main historic streets of Palermo, Via Vittorio Emanuele and Via Maqueda. With a new ordinance signed by the mayor and published yesterday, the municipal administration intervenes on the issue of displays and external structures of shops, repealing the previous ordinance of October 24, 2025, and introducing new, more detailed provisions to protect urban decorum and pedestrian accessibility in the historic center.

The declared goal of the Municipality is to find a balance between economic activities and the protection of public spaces, avoiding clutter and irregular occupations of public land. In detail, the ordinance establishes that shops may place a maximum of two displays, racks, or stands outside to showcase their goods. However, the structures must comply with precise characteristics: they must be placed on the ground, not anchored, with a maximum height of 1.50 meters and width and depth not exceeding one meter, dimensions that also include the displayed products. Furthermore, a minimum space of at least one meter must always be guaranteed for pedestrian passage.

The structures must be positioned only during the opening hours of the business and removed at closing, storing them inside the shop. The provision also prohibits stacking goods outside or in view and establishes that displays may be placed in a single row parallel to the shop's facade, exclusively in the space corresponding to the width of the business.

The ordinance also introduces some aesthetic and decorum rules: displays must be made of black or anthracite iron or wood, while it is prohibited to hang clothes or other items directly on the facades of buildings. Limited exceptions are provided only for certain specific activities: for example, shops selling plants and flowers or fruits and vegetables may use small traditional racks, while bicycle sales or rental points may place a bike rack up to two meters long.

The new ordinance also provides for harsher penalties for those who illegally occupy public land. In the case of repeated violations, in addition to fines, temporary closure of the establishment is foreseen, with a progressive system that can lead to up to ninety days of activity suspension. The provision is part of the path initiated by the Municipality to improve order and decorum in the main monumental arteries of the city, which in recent years have seen a significant increase in commercial activities and tourist flows.