Ibiza council debating tighter noise and capacity restrictions on clubs

Ibiza’s Sant Josep Town Council, which looks after popular nightspots Playa d’en Bossa and Cala de Bou, will reportedly discuss legislation around tighter noise and capacity restrictions on clubs and beach bars in their municipality.

The debate, which is said to take place tomorrow (Thursday 26th January) is around an ordinance that will require any “leisure” venue with a capacity of 200 or upwards to install an automatic crowd control system, according to Periódico de Ibiza.

The legislation would require venues to install a “pass sensor” – to monitor the capacity of the venue – hire a member of staff designated to monitor capacity and post maximum capacity signage around the venue in “visible locations”.

If passed venues will have one year to comply with the legislation, meaning changes would essentially be effective for the 2018 season.

The discussion is also reported to debate an expansion of article 26 of Tourism Law in Ibiza, which places noise regulators outside Playa d’en Bossa venues.

Speaking about that to Periódico de Ibiza, first deputy mayor and councilor of the Interior, Paquita Ribas said, “You can not discriminate, forcing some to have more control than others,” explaining that the noise regulators should expand across the entire municipality.

That change would mean the restrictions would impact the area of Ushuaïa and the former Space Ibiza site.

Ibiza reportedly had its biggest ever year for tourism in 2016, according to official stats that showed over 7.1 million people visited the island from January through October last year – a 14.6% increase on the same period in 2015.

Rob McCallum is DJ Mag’s deputy digital editor. Follow him on Twitter here.