Prague’s New Noise Decree Could Allow Concerts After 10 PM

Prague City is working on a new decree to regulate noise from outdoor concerts, potentially allowing music events to continue past the usual 10 PM cutoff.

According to information from the Prague City Council’s website, the decree aims to set clear rules for outdoor music performances, defining when they can be extended beyond 10 PM or, conversely, restricted.

The draft is currently under review, with city districts invited to submit feedback.

The issue first emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, when concerts at the former Braník ice cream factory sparked debate over noise regulations.

The council, at the time, did not approve the decree, as it only addressed that specific venue. Now, Pirate Party councilor Adam Zábranský has revised the proposal, expanding its scope.

New Rules for Music Events

“The proposed decree sets binding conditions for organizing, running, and ending public cultural events,” the draft states.

Among the key provisions is a requirement for events exceeding 300 attendees to be officially reported. It also establishes exceptions that would allow performances to extend past 10 PM in certain cases.

However, Councilor Hana Kordová Marvanová has criticized the proposal, arguing that it fails to address complaints about excessive and repetitive noise. “The decree does not include any provisions to regulate excessively noisy or recurring events,” she said at a city council meeting on Thursday.

Push for Stricter Noise Control

Marvanová proposed expanding the city’s noise regulation commission to include representatives from various city districts. However, her motion was rejected. The city council is set to discuss the issue further at its next meeting, once feedback from the comment period is reviewed.

Councilor Zábranský defended the proposal, stating that it would provide a direct legal framework for regulating music-related noise, which is currently a legal gray area. S

ince a 2015 amendment to the Public Health Protection Act excluded music from the law, hygiene stations have been unable to intervene in noise complaints related to concerts. The new decree would close this loophole, preventing venue operators from arguing that music does not constitute noise.

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