The Mallorca CAEB-Restauración association demands that the Palma City Council modify the public space occupancy regulations to allow misting systems and fans on terraces, in light of increasingly frequent heatwaves.
Restaurateurs in Palma have raised their voices to demand an urgent update to the Public Space Occupation Ordinance (OMOVIP) that would permit the installation of cooling elements on terraces. The manager of Mallorca CAEB-Restauración, Tomeu Mas, asserts that customers flee outdoor tables when the thermometer exceeds 35 degrees, and only smokers can endure the heat.
The OMOVIP, approved in 2018, expressly prohibits misting systems, nebulisers, and any aerial elements such as wiring for fans. Mas believes this regulation "must be updated to current climatic conditions. Not only for customers but also for our workers." In cities like Málaga, Madrid, or Sevilla, these systems are already permitted and help alleviate high temperatures.
The representative of the restaurateurs details that "the intent of the legislation focuses on having the minimum number of elements on public roads, and is almost exclusively limited to tables, chairs, and parasols." Moreover, the required separation between the terrace and the façade of the establishment, along with the prohibition of aerial elements, complicates any air conditioning solutions.
This summer, Mallorca has experienced three heatwaves, longer than usual, and Palma recorded the hottest night in its history, according to the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet). As a result, many customers who previously preferred terraces are now requesting tables indoors to enjoy air conditioning.
"Terrace reservations are a bit on the fly, meaning if the perception is discomfort due to heat, the customer asks to move the table inside the establishment," explains Tomeu Mas.
This situation forces restaurateurs to make a double effort: to maintain more staff and to have both the interior and the terrace air-conditioned. "Until now, customers always asked for terraces in summer, but this year there have been nights with unbearable heat and they sought the relief of air conditioning," he adds.
The modification of the ordinance requires support from various political groups, as the PP governs in Cort without a sufficient majority. Mas urges to "put this issue on the table and start working on it so that by next summer we have this problem solved already."
The restaurateurs' request comes in the context of climate change, which suggests increasingly hotter summers. For Palma residents, the measure would mean being able to enjoy terraces without suffering from the heat, something many have already stopped doing. If the ordinance is updated, establishments could install misting systems and fans, improving both customer experience and working conditions for employees.
The association is hopeful that the Palma City Council will take action before the next summer season. In the meantime, restaurateurs will continue to adapt on the fly, moving tables indoors when the heat becomes unbearable.
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