There is a great deal of variation between the amount of regulation different cities impose on busking. There are also differences in how strictly that regulation is enforced.
In many cases there is a conflict of interest between policy makers and street performers when it comes to the policies adopted. As part of this research, we want to highlight the perspective of buskers towards these policies and refer to the difficulties that they face in some cases.
The following sixteen reports on key focus cities illustrate many of the different regulatory approaches to busking. They assess how strictly the regulations are applied in the featured cities and contain feedback on the effects of the regulations from buskers.
The reports are listed alphabetically. First by country and then by city for those countries in which more than one city is featured. Each city is given a grade or score which is the combined value of the factors and regulations governing busking in that city.
Busking Policy
Grade: -3 – Ranking 12th
— Busking is legal.
— There is a mandatory licence with a low annual cost.
— Amplification is allowed but must be licensed and remain below 85 db.
— Busking regulations are currently being revised and from now on will fall under the city’s sound ordinance.
— Busking is not allowed in specific areas even with a permit.
— Imprisonment is a potential punishment for contravention of the laws.
— There seems to be a conflict with the city authorities and the residents of some central areas on one hand versus street performers and musicians on the other.