Florence Airbnb Stop Reinstated

Florence’s city council approved a resolution on July 30 to ban new short term rentals in the historic city center, effectively reinstating the policy after a decision from Tuscany’s regional court overturned a previous version two weeks ago.

“This [ban] was the first action that I wanted to bring to court, to send out a signal about a phenomenon that is becoming a real emergency in our city,” Sara Funaro, the newly elected mayor of Florence, said. Since taking office in June, Funaro has emphasized her goal to restrict short-term rentals in order to combat overtourism in the city center, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the brief interlude between the ban’s overturning on July 10 and its reinstatement yesterday, the city received over 3,000 new applications for short term rentals in the city center. These rental properties, often enacted through platforms such as Airbnb that appeal to tourists, have sparked controversy as they have driven up housing prices and made long-term rentals inaccessible for many local residents and students.

The resolution is now part of the city’s municipal operation plan, a key tool in managing Florence’s urban planning structure. The previous ban was overturned on the basis that it was improperly introduced as an amendment to the existing plan rather than as a separate resolution.

The reaffirmed ban prompted immediate criticism. Lorenzo Fagnoni, president of Property Managers Italia and CEO of Apartments Florence rental agency, stated that an appeal against the ban will be brought before Tuscany’s regional court on behalf of rental property owners. Fagnoni also stated that the ban is an ineffective response to the city’s high rates of tourism and that it limits opportunities for property owners. (Tara Monastesse)