Procedure descriptions

Restricted hours – applying for a reduction or waiver

A general closing time has been set for restaurants and public entertainment venues. During this period, restaurants must cease trading.

Start of closing time:

  • on weekdays: 3 am
  • on weekdays in spa and holiday resorts: 2 am
  • at the weekend, on the nights leading into Saturday and Sunday: 5 am
  • for amusement arcades: midnight

Closing time generally ends at 6 am.

Note: On the night of 1 January, the closing time is suspended. On the night before Shrove Tuesday and on the night of 1 May, it begins at 5 am. This does not apply to amusement arcades.

Under certain conditions, the authorities may, in individual cases, extend the closing hours for specific establishments

  • ,
  • set a time limit,
  • reduce them on a temporary basis, or
  • lift it.

Note: Where the restricted hours are shortened or lifted, the authority may impose conditions at any time.

Under certain conditions, the competent authority may also generally extend, shorten or lift the closing hours by means of a statutory order. Such statutory orders are issued by the local authorities, the district offices, the regional councils or the Ministry of the Interior.

Forms/Online Services

Responsible authority

  • for reductions in closing hours in individual cases: the local authority in whose district the business premises for which a reduction in closing hours is being applied for are situated
  • For a general reduction in closing hours: the city and district authorities, major district towns, as well as the local authorities and administrative associations with their own building regulation powers. When selecting the location, please specify the location of your business premises.
Ordnungsamt [Stadt Ettenheim]

Details

Prerequisite

The conditions for a reduction in the closed-period are:

  • The existence of a public need
  • The existence of specific local circumstances

Procedure

You can apply informally for a reduction in closing hours for your business at the local authority in whose district your premises are located. Please state

  • in what form and
  • for what reasons you wish to shorten the closing hours.

Depending on what the local authority offers, an application form may be available or you can download it from the internet.

Deadlines

There is no statutory deadline. Please apply to have the waiting period reduced as soon as possible.

Required documents

none

Costs

Please contact the relevant authority to find out what costs you can expect.

Miscellaneous

none

Legal basis

Landesgaststättengesetz (LGastG):

  • § 13 Zuständigkeit
  • § 8 Sperrzeit

Release note

machine generated, based on the German release by: Innenministerium Baden-Württemberg, 03.06.2026