Florence extends Unesco rules to 2031, adds new business limits

Florence is set to extend its Unesco-related regulation on economic activities in the historic centre until 2031, confirming existing restrictions on new food and beverage businesses while introducing additional limits, including a ban on new cooking schools and ATMs.

The proposal, approved by the city’s executive committee (Giunta) on 16 March, will now move to the City Council for final approval. The current rules are due to expire between late April and early May.

A longer timeframe and stricter rules

If approved, the updated regulation will remain in force for five years, extending the current three-year validity period. The measure is part of a broader strategy aimed at managing commercial pressure in Florence’s Unesco-listed historic centre, where concerns about overtourism and the loss of local services have grown in recent years.

The city confirmed the existing ban on new food and beverage businesses (including bars, restaurants, and takeaway outlets) across the Unesco area. The restriction will also be extended to agricultural entrepreneurs, closing a loophole that previously allowed certain types of food-related activities.

Among the new provisions:

• A ban on new cooking schools in the historic centre
• A ban on installing new ATMs
• Restrictions on small premises (under 100 sqm) offering on-site consumption of food and drinks without full service

These measures are designed to limit activities primarily targeting short-term visitors and to preserve services for residents.

“High-value” streets and commercial zoning

The regulation maintains and expands a zoning system that differentiates between types of streets and commercial uses.

In a number of central streets and squares—such as Via Tornabuoni, Via dei Calzaiuoli, Via Roma, and Piazza Strozzi—only so-called “high-value” businesses will be allowed in the case of new openings. These include:

• High-end fashion and branded clothing
• Art galleries and antique shops
• Bookshops
• Design and furniture stores
• Jewellery, watches, and luxury goods
• Traditional and artistic crafts

New additions to this protected category include Via del Proconsolo and Piazza San Felice.

On Ponte Vecchio, the long-standing rule remains unchanged: only jewellery and precious goods shops are permitted, with no food or beverage activities allowed.

Further limits on food businesses

The regulation also reinforces restrictions on the relocation of food-related businesses, even when they already operate within the Unesco area.

In major squares—including Piazza del Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Piazza Santa Croce, and Piazza Santo Spirito—new food activities cannot be transferred into premises facing the square.

Similar restrictions apply to a wide network of streets with high tourist footfall, such as Via dei Neri, Borgo San Lorenzo, Via Guicciardini, and Via Faenza, where the relocation of food businesses is generally prohibited, with limited exceptions within the same street.

Balancing tourism and local life

The renewal process has been developed by the city’s Department for Economic Activities and Tourism in coordination with the Tuscany Region, with the contents also communicated to the heritage authority (Soprintendenza).

The stated objective is to protect the livability of the historic centre, maintain a diversified commercial fabric, and safeguard neighbourhood services for residents, while preserving Florence’s cultural identity as a Unesco World Heritage Site.

The final decision now rests with the City Council, which is expected to vote on the extension before the current regulation expires.

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