New Airbnbs Banned in Florence Suburbs

Florence’s mayor, Sara Funaro, has announced the imminent expansion of short-term rental restrictions beyond the historic center into more residential neighborhoods has been approved by city council.. The decision follows a ruling by Tuscany’s regional court rejecting 19 appeals against the city’s original rental regulations.

Neighborhoods where the opening of new Airbnbs will be prohibited include; Campo di Marte, Gavinana, San Jacopino, Rifredi and Statuto, Libertá, Savonarola and Oberdan, and Bronzino and Pier Vettori. City officials say the objective is to reduce overtourism and protect housing availability for residents. Officials said the restricted-zone map could change over time depending on tourism and housing trends. 

Current regulations introduced in 2025 already include minimum size requirements for apartments and bedrooms, mandatory registration and CIN identification codes, restrictions on self check-in keyboxes, and a ban on new tourist rentals within Florence’s UNESCO-listed historic center.

Existing legally operating rentals received a three-year grace period after the rules were approved. Some property owners and rental operators oppose the expansion, arguing the regulations have not lowered rent prices enough or brought residents back to the center. Many feel that tourism has helped their businesses.

The court rules that protecting Florence’s residential life and historic character justifies the restrictions. The debate over short-term rentals has become increasingly political in Italy because of rising housing costs and tourism pressure. City officials say short-term rentals have continued spreading outside the center, making it harder for residents, students, and workers to find affordable long-term housing.  (Maquinna Peglow)