This year, 337 summer outdoor seating areas, 166 parklets and 41 winter outdoor seating areas have popped up in Helsinki, enabling restaurants and cafés to extend their serving areas to the front of buildings and into public squares. Parklets are outdoor seating areas set up in a parking space in front of a business, which can also be used as a sales and display area.
The reform of outdoor seating area and parklet leases aims to introduce clearer practices and greater flexibility for businesses – such as more options for lease periods and monthly invoicing. The principles governing the placement of outdoor seating areas and parklets would remain unchanged.
The new principles are due to come into force on 1 April 2027, provided the Urban Environment Committee approves the proposal at its November meeting.
Short-term agreements and agreements valid until further notice introduced alongside long-term fixed-term agreements
Up to now, lease agreements for outdoor seating areas and parklets have mainly been made for 5–8 years. Going forward, the lease agreements could be either fixed-term or valid until further notice. A fixed-term agreement could last from one month to two years.
The City could also put the outdoor seating area out to tender if it is linked to several restaurants, cafés or premises where food is served and several business owners are interested in it. Kolmensepänaukio Square is an example of such an area.
As part of the lease renewal process, new lease agreements will be drawn up with the City of Helsinki for all outdoor seating areas and parklets. The use of outdoor seating areas also requires the property owner’s consent and, where necessary, a permit from Building Control Services. Small outdoor seating areas may continue to be put up free of charge with the property owner’s permission. Small outdoor seating areas are 80-centimetre-wide areas attached to the façade of commercial premises.
Updated rent paid monthly from now on
With the renewal, the current system of seasonal billing would be replaced by monthly billing. At present, the winter season is invoiced for in September and the summer season in June. The change would make it easier to forecast costs and allow leasing to be better tailored to businesses’ needs than before.
Rental rates for outdoor seating areas and parklets will be updated on the basis of a market price study. During the summer season, the monthly rent in the city centre price zone will rise from 13.21 euros to 15 euros per square metre, and elsewhere in Helsinki from 9.91 euros to 12 euros per square metre.
During the winter season, the corresponding prices will rise from 6.61 euros to 7.50 euros per square metre and from 4.96 euros to 6 euros per square metre. Prices are exclusive of VAT.
The rents are tied to the cost of living index and are reviewed annually on 1 April.
More detailed application guidelines and a timetable will be published at a later date at www.hel.fi/en/business-and-work/apply-for-permits-and-facilities/outdoor-seating-area-and-parklet-permits.
