# ZPAE in Madrid (zonas de protección acústica especial): where they limit opening bars and restaurants > A ZPAE (zona de protección acústica especial) is an area where Madrid has found noise above legal targets and applies a zonal plan to new bars, cafés and restaurants. Four exist: Centro, Gaztambide, Azca-Avenida de Brasil and Trafalgar-Ríos Rosas. High-noise streets in Centro and Trafalgar allow no new openings; moderate and low zones apply distance and window rules. Updated 10 October 2026 · Casafari · https://expansion.casafari.com/en-ES/guides/zpae-madrid/ ## What a ZPAE is and what it applies to A ZPAE (zona de protección acústica especial, special acoustic protection zone) is an area where the Ayuntamiento de Madrid has found that noise exceeds the objetivos de calidad acústica (legal noise targets). The legal basis is article 25 of the national Ley 37/2003 del Ruido, as the city's [Geoportal ZPAE dataset](https://geoportal.madrid.es/IDEAM_WBGEOPORTAL/dataset.iam?id=e42ecf60-a481-11e9-a107-ecb1d753f6e8) notes. Each ZPAE is declared by the Pleno (full city council) with a plan zonal específico: the zonal plan that sets the rules street section by street section. The plan applies when someone files a declaración responsable (DR, the self-declaration route to start an activity) or applies for a licence to implant or modify a listed activity ([Centro plan](https://www.madrid.es/UnidadesDescentralizadas/Sostenibilidad/Ruido/ZonProtec/ZPAE/ZPAECentro/ZPAECentro2018/BOCM-20190517-44.pdf) art. 2; [Trafalgar-Ríos Rosas plan](https://www.madrid.es/UnidadesDescentralizadas/Sostenibilidad/Ruido/ZonProtec/ZPAE/ZPAETrafalgar-RiosRosas/BOCAM2022_ZPAE_TrafalgarRiosRosas_ProyDef.PDF) art. 2). Modification includes more public area, sound equipment, live acts or longer night hours. For how DRs work, see [the declaración responsable in Madrid](https://expansion.casafari.com/en-ES/guides/declaracion-responsable-madrid/). The affected activities (Centro plan art. 4) come from the regional Catálogo de espectáculos públicos in Decreto 184/1998: class III categories 1 and 2, class IV category 4, class V category 9 (bares especiales) and class V category 10, hostelería y restauración. Category 10 covers: - Tabernas y bodegas. - Cafeterías, bares and café-bares. - Chocolaterías, heladerías and salones de té. - Restaurantes and autoservicios (self-service). - Bares-restaurante. - Hotel bars with direct street access. - Salones de banquetes (banquet halls). ## The four ZPAEs and their dates Madrid has four ZPAEs. The Ayuntamiento [describes Trafalgar-Ríos Rosas as the fourth](https://diario.madrid.es/blog/notas-de-prensa/la-zpae-de-trafalgar-rios-rosas-lista-para-su-aprobacion-definitiva-en-el-pleno-de-este-mes/), after Centro, Gaztambide and Azca-Avenida de Brasil. The city's [ZPAE publications page](https://www.madrid.es/portales/munimadrid/es/Inicio/El-Ayuntamiento/Publicaciones/Listado-de-Publicaciones/Zonas-de-proteccion-acustica-y-ambiental-de-Madrid/?vgnextfmt=default&vgnextoid=5b34198f267cc410VgnVCM1000000b205a0aRCRD&vgnextchannel=f1aebadb6b997010VgnVCM100000dc0ca8c0RCRD) holds the documents for all four and links to the Geoportal layer. The rules on this page come from the Centro and Trafalgar-Ríos Rosas plans. The Gaztambide and Azca plans have their own articles and tables: read them in the BOCM (Boletín Oficial de la Comunidad de Madrid) before relying on any detail. Zones are drawn by tramo de calle (street section, often by house numbers), so check the exact section, not just the street name. - Distrito Centro: declared in 2012; revision and plan approved by the Pleno on 30 April 2019, BOCM no. 116 of 17 May 2019. It covers the whole district (art. 2.3) and has three zones: high, moderate and low (art. 5.3). - Gaztambide (Chamberí): first the Aurrerá area, extended to the whole barrio in November 2016. - Azca-Avenida de Brasil (Tetuán): in force since 27 January 2015. - Trafalgar-Ríos Rosas (Chamberí, including Ponzano and Olavide): approved by the Pleno on 29 November 2022, BOCM no. 298 of 15 December 2022, in force since 9 January 2023. ## Three levels inside each ZPAE and what each forbids (Centro and Trafalgar-Ríos Rosas) Each plan divides its area into zonas de contaminación acústica alta, moderada and baja (high, moderate and low). In the Centro plan (art. 7), a section is high when the night-time level (Ln) exceeds its target by 10 dBA or more. Centro art. 21 set a distancia de protección (protection distance) around the zones. [Hostelería Madrid reported](https://www.hosteleriadigital.es/2022/03/22/hosteleria-madrid-consigue-la-anulacion-del-articulo-21-de-la-zpae-de-centro-que-impedia-la-implantacion-de-nuevas-actividades-en-todo-el-distrito/) that the TSJM (Madrid's High Court of Justice) annulled it in a judgment of 9 March 2022, and trade press reported the Ayuntamiento would not appeal. Verify its status with the Ayuntamiento rather than relying on it either way. - High zone: no new implantation, extension or modification of any listed activity, hostelería y restauración included (Centro art. 9.1; Trafalgar-Ríos Rosas art. 10.1). Existing listed activities may only change to category 10 without music (Centro art. 9.2). - Moderate zone: no new listed activities with music (actividad con música). A new category 10 premises must keep its distance from listed activities: in Centro, 200 m from those in high zones, 150 m in moderate, 100 m in low and 50 m where there is no exceedance (art. 12.2); in Trafalgar-Ríos Rosas, 100, 75 and 50 m for high, moderate and low (art. 13.2). - Low zone: Centro sets distances of 300, 150, 100 and 75 m to listed activities depending on their zone (art. 15.1); Trafalgar-Ríos Rosas sets 150, 75 and 50 m (art. 16.1). - Distances in the Centro plan are measured door to door along the street axes. - Centro plan, all three zones: new listed activities may not have huecos practicables (openable windows or openings), must use ventilación forzada (forced ventilation), may not use open-front formats and must keep furniture inside (arts. 9.3, 12.3 and 15.2). - Terraces in Centro high zones (art. 9.6): 9:00 to 00:30 on Fridays, Saturdays and eves of holidays, and 9:00 to 23:30 on other days, from 16 March to 15 October; 9:00 to 23:00 the rest of the year. ## Street examples by zone (from the official tables) The annex tables list each section by street and house numbers. A few examples from the high-zone tables follow; they are not the full list. See the annex table in each plan and the Geoportal map for every tramo, including the moderate and low sections, before you shortlist a street. - Centro, high zone (art. 8): Cava Baja and Calle de la Cruz (complete); Hortaleza even 2–76 and 104–120, odd 1–59 and 75–87; Fuencarral even 56–90, odd 51–95 and 107; Plaza de Santa Ana; Plaza del Dos de Mayo; Plaza de Chueca; Calle de la Palma from Fuencarral to Dos de Mayo. - Trafalgar-Ríos Rosas, high zone (art. 9): Ponzano even 2–60 and 90–100, odd 1–61 and 93–99; Plaza de Olavide; Cardenal Cisneros; Luchana; Glorieta de Bilbao; Glorieta de Quevedo. ## What it means for an expansion brief For a coffee, QSR or restaurant concept, a premises on a high-zone section is only viable as a [traspaso](https://expansion.casafari.com/en-ES/guides/traspaso/) (taking over an existing business and its licence) that does not increase acoustic impact: no more public area, no music, no later hours. In moderate and low zones, a new opening depends on the distances to existing listed activities, so the answer can differ between two numbers on the same street. Shops, clinics and pharmacies are not among the activities in Centro art. 4, so the ZPAE does not block them as such. Gyms are not listed either, but a gym with music should be checked case by case. For licence basics outside ZPAEs, see [what a food-service licence is](https://expansion.casafari.com/en-ES/guides/food-service-licence/). Claro does not map ZPAE boundaries. It reads each listing and marks every criterion met, not met or not stated, quoting the listing's own words, so mentions such as 'licencia de bar', 'ZPAE', 'zona saturada' or 'traspaso' appear as evidence. Where available, it shows footfall and nearby places, including cafés and restaurants already trading. Use the Geoportal to confirm the tramo. - Name the districts to include or exclude, for example 'exclude Centro'; see [commercial premises in Madrid](https://expansion.casafari.com/en-ES/madrid/). - Inside a ZPAE, make 'licence stated in the listing' a hard criterion. A listing that does not mention a licence is 'not stated': ask the agent, do not assume there is none. - Say 'traspaso accepted' if you will take over an existing business. - Set a footfall threshold so streets are compared on the same measure; see [how to read footfall](https://expansion.casafari.com/en-ES/guides/footfall/). ## Barcelona equivalent: district plans d'usos Barcelona does not restrict new bars and restaurants through ZPAEs. It limits new hospitality establishments (category 2.3 in its plans) through district plans d'usos (land-use plans), for example in Ciutat Vella, the Rambla, Gràcia, Eixample/Sant Antoni and Poblenou. The licence types and rules differ from Madrid's; see [C1, C2 and C3 licences in Barcelona](https://expansion.casafari.com/en-ES/guides/licence-c1-c2-c3-barcelona/). ## Check with the Ayuntamiento or a qualified professional Zonal plans are revised: the current Centro plan is a 2019 revision of a 2012 declaration. Before signing a lease or agreeing a traspaso, confirm the tramo and its zone level with a consulta urbanística (a planning enquiry to the Ayuntamiento) or a certificate from an ECU (entidad colaboradora urbanística, an accredited licensing body). Rules vary by municipality and change over time. This page summarises the published plans; it is not legal advice. Check with the city council or a qualified professional before you commit. - Bring the full address, including the house number. - Bring the licence or DR the premises currently holds, if any. - Describe the intended activity, its public area, opening hours and whether it has music. _Rules on activities and installations vary by municipality and change over time. This page is general information, not legal advice; check with the city council or a qualified adviser._ ## Example brief > Coffee shop in Madrid, districts Chamberí, Salamanca or Retiro; exclude Centro; ground floor; 60–120 m²; licence of bar or cafeteria stated in the listing (traspaso accepted); no music; footfall above 12,000 people a day within a five-minute walk, weekday share above 60%. https://expansion.casafari.com/en-ES/?q=Coffee%20shop%20in%20Madrid%2C%20districts%20Chamber%C3%AD%2C%20Salamanca%20or%20Retiro%3B%20exclude%20Centro%3B%20ground%20floor%3B%2060%E2%80%93120%20m%C2%B2%3B%20licence%20of%20bar%20or%20cafeteria%20stated%20in%20the%20listing%20(traspaso%20accepted)%3B%20no%20music%3B%20footfall%20above%2012%2C000%20people%20a%20day%20within%20a%20five-minute%20walk%2C%20weekday%20share%20above%2060%25. ## Questions ### Can I open a new restaurant in Madrid's Centro district? Not on high-noise street sections: the Centro plan (art. 9.1) bars new implantation of listed activities there. In moderate and low zones a new restaurant is possible only if it meets the distance rules to other listed activities and has no openable windows. Taking over an existing licence without increasing acoustic impact is the usual route. ### Which ZPAEs exist in Madrid? Four: Distrito Centro (declared 2012, revised by the Pleno on 30 April 2019), Gaztambide in Chamberí (Aurrerá first, extended to the whole barrio in November 2016), Azca-Avenida de Brasil in Tetuán (2015) and Trafalgar-Ríos Rosas in Chamberí (in force 9 January 2023). The Ayuntamiento describes it as the fourth in the city. ### Does a ZPAE affect retail or gyms? Not as such. The zonal plans list nightlife, dance, show and hospitality activities from the regional catalogue (classes III.1–2, IV.4, V.9 and V.10); shops, clinics, pharmacies and most services are not on that list. A gym that plays music should be checked case by case with the Ayuntamiento before you commit to a premises. ### Can a traspaso in a ZPAE change from bar to restaurant? Generally yes, within limits. In a high zone, the Centro plan (art. 9.2) lets existing listed activities change only to hostelería y restauración without music, which covers both bars and restaurants. Any increase in public area, sound equipment, live acts or night hours counts as a modification and is blocked. Check the tramo and the licence before agreeing a traspaso. ### Where is the official ZPAE map? On the Ayuntamiento's Geoportal, in the dataset 'Zonas de protección acústica especial (ZPAE)', and in the annex tables of each plan published in the BOCM (Boletín Oficial de la Comunidad de Madrid). The city's ZPAE publications page links to every plan. Check the exact street section and house numbers, not just the street name. ### Does Claro tell me whether a premises is inside a ZPAE? No, Claro does not map ZPAE boundaries. It reads each listing and reports what it states, such as 'licencia de bar', 'ZPAE', 'zona saturada' or 'traspaso', marking each criterion met, not met or not stated, and shows nearby places where available. Confirm the tramo on the Geoportal against the plan's annex before a visit. ## Screen Madrid premises against your brief Type your brief in plain words or upload your expansion brief, and run one free search on the homepage, no sign-up needed. Claro checks each premises against every criterion, marks it met, not met or not stated with the listing's own words, and shows footfall and nearby places where available. https://expansion.casafari.com/en-ES/#search ## Read next - [Commercial premises in Madrid: the agencies' listings Claro holds, checked against your brief](https://expansion.casafari.com/en-ES/madrid/) - [What a food-service licence (licencia de restauración) is and how to check it in a listing](https://expansion.casafari.com/en-ES/guides/food-service-licence/) - [Traspaso of a commercial premises: what it includes, what happens to the licence, and how to read it in a listing](https://expansion.casafari.com/en-ES/guides/traspaso/) - [Declaración responsable or licencia de actividad in Madrid (Ordenanza 6/2022, ECUs): which applies to your premises](https://expansion.casafari.com/en-ES/guides/declaracion-responsable-madrid/) - [Can you open a restaurant in premises without a smoke outlet? Exceptions in Madrid (OCAS art. 24) and Barcelona (OMAIIAA art. 39)](https://expansion.casafari.com/en-ES/guides/restaurant-without-smoke-outlet/) - [Footfall around a premises: what the figure means and how to use it to choose a location](https://expansion.casafari.com/en-ES/guides/footfall/)