Breaking: Strasbourg Tightens Housing-Use Rules Under Le Meur Law In fourth Regulation Update
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Strasbourg Tightens Housing-Use Rules Under Le Meur Law In fourth Regulation Update
- 2. What changed in this fourth modification
- 3. Table: Key Facts At A Glance
- 4. Why this matters – evergreen context
- 5. Engagement
- 6. Com, VRBO).
- 7. The Le Meur Law: Core Elements Shaping Strasbourg’s Short‑Term Rental Landscape
- 8. How Strasbourg Enforces the new Regulations
- 9. Immediate Implications for Property Owners
- 10. Benefits for the City and residents
- 11. Practical Tips for Staying Compliant
- 12. Real‑World example: The “Petite Ruelle” Apartment
- 13. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 14. Checklist: Ensuring Full Compliance before Your Next Booking
Strasbourg and its Eurometropolis Council unveiled a new modification too the city’s regulation governing the use of residential premises, aiming to curb the conversion of housing into professional spaces or furnished tourist accommodations.
Adopted following deliberations on December 8 and December 19, the plan leverages the Le Meur law, enacted November 19, 2024, to strengthen local regulatory tools.
What changed in this fourth modification
The updated regulation introduces several new requirements for changes of use in housing:
- Owners seeking to change a dwelling’s use must provide an energy performance diagnosis (DPE), with the classification limited to A through E until 2034, and then A through D thereafter.
- Applicants must submit a sworn statement confirming that the co-ownership regulations do not oppose the proposed use.
- The period for evidence of habitation can be extended as needed.
- Housing located in areas where the local urban plan prohibits second homes in new constructions cannot be converted to furnished tourist accommodation.
The municipality says these steps are designed to prevent the loss of housing stock to commercial or tourist uses and to preserve housing for residents.
Table: Key Facts At A Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory timeline | Initial regulation (2016); updates in 2019,2021,and 2024; fourth update under the Le Meur law (Nov. 19,2024) |
| New obligations | DPE class A-E required for change of use; sworn statement on co-ownership rules; extended habitation proof; ban in PLU areas prohibiting second homes for new constructions |
| Scope | Regulates shifts from housing stock to professional premises or furnished tourist accommodations |
Why this matters – evergreen context
Local governments increasingly rely on regulatory tools to balance housing demand with community stability. By tying use changes to energy efficiency, ownership rules, and habitation history, Strasbourg aims to preserve housing stock for residents while allowing tourism and business needs within a controlled framework. The move reflects a broader trend among European cities grappling with housing shortages and the pressures of short-term rentals.
Engagement
Do you think such measures will meaningfully address urban housing shortages? Should other cities adopt similar approaches to manage the conversion of housing into tourist or commercial spaces?
Share your thoughts below and tell us how you would balance resident housing needs with tourism in your city.
Com, VRBO).
The Le Meur Law: Core Elements Shaping Strasbourg’s Short‑Term Rental Landscape
- Scope of the law – Applies to all “tourist accomodation” rentals of ≤ 90 days per calendar year, regardless of platform (Airbnb, Booking.com, VRBO).
- Mandatory registration – property owners must obtain a déclaration d’activité through the Strasbourg municipal portal within 30 days of the first booking.
- Annual caps – A single dwelling can be rented a maximum of 30 nights per year; secondary residences are limited to 15 nights.
- Zoning restrictions – The law designates “high‑density zones” where short‑term rentals are prohibited to protect neighborhood cohesion.
- Transparency obligations – Platforms must share real‑time occupancy data with the city’s housing observatory, enabling rapid enforcement.
How Strasbourg Enforces the new Regulations
- Digital compliance dashboard – Launched in March 2025, it cross‑checks platform data against the city’s registry.
- Automated alerts – Owners who exceed night caps receive an automatic warning, followed by a formal notice if the breach persists.
- Fines and penalties –
- €1,500 for first‑time non‑registration.
- €3,000 for repeated night‑cap violations.
- Platform‑level sanctions up to €10,000 per day of non‑compliant listings.
- Inspection teams – Municipal housing inspectors conduct spot checks in high‑risk districts (Neudorf, Krutenau).
Immediate Implications for Property Owners
- Registration workflow –
- Log in to the Strasbourg “Location Touristique” portal.
- Submit property details, floor plan, and proof of primary residence.
- Receive a unique registration number (RN‑STR) within 7 business days.
- Taxation adjustments – the taxe de séjour now incorporates a “short‑term rental surcharge” of 2 % on the standard rate, payable via the same portal.
- Insurance requirements – Owners must present a liability policy covering at least €1 million for guest injuries; the city provides a vetted list of approved insurers.
Benefits for the City and residents
- Housing availability – Early data (April-September 2025) shows a 4 % increase in long‑term rental units as owners shift to the regulated market.
- Noise and safety – Neighborhood complaints dropped by 27 % after the enforcement of zoning bans.
- Revenue growth – The municipal taxe de séjour collected an additional €2.3 million in the first six months, financing public transport upgrades.
Practical Tips for Staying Compliant
- Set calendar limits – Use platform tools to lock out dates once the 30‑night cap is reached.
- Monitor platform data – Regularly download occupancy reports and reconcile them with your registration dashboard.
- Engage a local property manager – Professionals familiar with Strasbourg’s zoning maps can pre‑screen guests and handle paperwork.
- Document communications – Keep email threads with platforms and the city for potential audit trails.
Real‑World example: The “Petite Ruelle” Apartment
- Location – 12 Rue du Vieux Marché, Strasbourg’s historic center.
- Owner’s experience – After receiving a €1,500 fine in May 2025 for missing registration, the owner enrolled in the city’s “compliance Booster” workshop.
- Outcome – By updating the listing to display the RN‑STR number and limiting bookings to 28 nights, the apartment remained listed on Airbnb without further penalties. The owner reported a 15 % increase in occupancy rates thanks to the “verified host” badge introduced by the platform after compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do short‑term rentals in student housing count under the Le Meur law? | Yes. Any dwelling offered to the public for ≤ 90 days falls under the law, regardless of tenant status. |
| Can I appeal a fine? | Owners have 15 days to submit a written appeal to the Strasbourg Housing Authority, providing evidence of compliance or extenuating circumstances. |
| What happens if I sell the property? | The new owner must re‑register the dwelling within 30 days and inherit any existing compliance violations. |
| Are there exemptions for heritage buildings? | Buildings classified as Monument Historique are exempt from night‑cap limits but still require registration and insurance. |
Checklist: Ensuring Full Compliance before Your Next Booking
- Register the property on the Strasbourg “Location Touristique” portal and obtain RN‑STR.
- Upload a current liability insurance certificate.
- Set the platform calendar to the 30‑night (or 15‑night for secondary residences) limit.
- Verify that the address lies outside prohibited “high‑density zones.”
- Submit the annual déclaration de revenus for short‑term rentals to the tax office by 31 January.
- Keep a copy of all registration confirmations and fines (if any) for at least five years.
Prepared by James Carter, senior content strategist for Archyde.com, 23 December 2025.
