Restaurant law

Restaurants (permanent operation)

A restaurant business is operated by anyone who offers drinks and/or prepared food for consumption on the premises on a commercial basis and accessible to everyone.

This requires

• Business registration at least 6 weeks before the start at the town hall of the business location
• Minimum information for registration: Type of business, outdoor catering
• At the same time, submission of a certificate from a Chamber of Industry and Commerce from Baden-Württemberg (proof of training in accordance with the new regulation) or alternatively a copy of a corresponding certificate of completion
  → Exception to the obligation to provide training in accordance with VwV Gaststättenunterrichtung

There is no longer a permit requirement. Legally valid permits under previous law remain valid with the conditions contained therein.

Types of establishment

A type of establishment must be specified when registering. Examples of this are Pub (serving alcohol), restaurant, pub and restaurant (not serving alcohol), ice cream parlor (serving alcohol), ice cream parlor, shisha bar, etc.

Please note that gaming machines are only permitted in establishments that serve alcohol. The operation of gaming machines is not permitted in ice cream parlors or shisha bars (see Gaming Ordinance).

Temporary operation of restaurants (formerly permits)

If a catering business is to be operated temporarily for a special reason (e.g. club festival), this must be reported to the town hall of the responsible municipality at least two weeks before the start of the event.

This requires

• Details of the contact person with a summonable address
• Details of the place and time of the special event

Wine taverns

The serving of self-produced (cider) wine in rooms with no more than 40 seats at the location of the producer's business or at the business owner's place of residence is limited to a maximum of two periods of four months per year. The wine may not be served in rooms that have been rented specifically for this purpose.

The notification to the catering authority must be made in text form at least two weeks before the start of operation.

This requires

• Name of operator with summonable address
• Location and period of the bar
• Details (place and location) of the fruit used for production, place of pressing and place of vinification

Further information can be found in the State Catering Act of 18.11.2025.

The responsibility for the notification of a restaurant operation is based on the responsibility under building law. This means that for the area of the large district towns including the administrative communitiesand municipalities with their own building law jurisdiction. The district administration office is responsible for the other municipalities.

Permanent or temporary restaurants must always be registered with the municipality in whose area the restaurant is to be operated. Pubs must be reported directly to the district office.

Ms. Alt: Bönnigheim, Erligheim, Freudental, Kirchheim, Löchgau, Sachsenheim

Mr. Münch: Asperg, Möglingen, Steinheim

Ms. Scheerle: Großbottwar, Markgröningen, Mundelsheim, Oberstenfeld

Ms. Stang: Besigheim, Gemmrigheim, Hessigheim, Walheim

Ms. Throm: Affalterbach, Benningen, Erdmannhausen, Hemmingen, Murr, Schwieberdingen