Last June, the city of Nice issued a municipal decree that more strictly regulates the activities of street artists in order to limit noise pollution. An association sought to suspend this decree, but their request was rejected.
“As summer is in full swing and with the good weather, we are fighting even more actively against noise pollution to preserve our living environment“, rejoices Christian Estrosi. Indeed, this judicial decision is in his favor. On June 15, he implemented a municipal decree. This decree primarily aims to reduce noise pollution in the hypercenter of Nice and thus restore more tranquility. The suspension of this decree requested by an association was rejected by the urgent applications judge on August 7.
The decision was made by the city in response to a high influx of street artists in the city’s busiest and most touristic streets. This influx created a climate of tension between residents and street artists. The noise pollution caused by the latter was at the heart of the conflict.
For a “peaceful” city
This decree represents a victory for those who filed multiple complaints. The municipal police recorded 200 reports in 2021 and 194 in 2022 on this matter. Since January 1, 2023, 79 reports have been filed. Thus, for the municipality, it was time to take a firmer stance.
“It is essential that the public space in Nice remains a peaceful area, where everyone coexists with mutual respect. For this reason, it became indispensable to revise the decree dedicated to street artists in light of the number of complaints from residents and merchants. The municipal police are extremely mobilized to ensure that all artists performing in our public space comply with the regulations in place”, shares Christian Estrosi.
The rules in effect
The regulations are now stricter and concern a specific area, referred to as “high tourist concentration”. Avenue Jean-Médecin, Avenue Malausséna, the square of the Gare du Sud, Place Massena, and the Palais de Justice square are, for example, included. However, in certain areas, performing as a street artist is completely prohibited. This is the case for the southern part of Place Massena, the Promenade des Anglais, the Quai des États-Unis, Rue Saint-François de Paule, and Rue de la Préfecture. Far from the city center, the gardens of the Arènes de Cimiez are also on the list.
Since June 15, the system that allowed street artists to be granted individual permits by the city no longer exists. Everyone is free to perform, following the new regulations.
Any sound system is prohibited. Their performance must not exceed one hour as opposed to two hours before the text was revised. Group performances are banned. The use of percussion instruments is forbidden. These prohibitions do not apply to painters and other visual artists nor to events organized by the city of Nice.
Additionally, the text allows for the regulation of performance hours. Street artists are no longer allowed to perform after 10 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday and after 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, until the following day at 2 p.m. However, from October 1, the prohibitions begin at 8 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday.
