Airbnb regulations in Montpellier: what the Le Meur Law changes from 2025

In Montpellier, primary residences can only be rented as vacation accommodation for 90 days per year. Since January 2026, Montpellier has reduced the limit from 120 to 90 days per year. This measure responds to growing pressure on student and residential housing in the city center. The decision was voted by the Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole municipal council after consultation with Écusson residents' associations and student unions. The night count is monitored by platforms and verified by the municipal service, which has direct access to the registrations database. The city hall estimates that this measure could free up between 800 and 1,200 homes within the historic center perimeter.

Montpellier has developed a two-step verification system with platforms: first, checking the registration number at listing publication, then cross-referencing with the quota register at the time of booking. If the quota of 770 is reached and the listing does not correspond to an existing authorization, the booking is automatically refused. This innovative mechanism, unique in France, was implemented through a technical partnership between the metropolitan authority and Airbnb's development teams.

In Montpellier, the change-of-use authorization is issued within the 770 quota limit by the metropolitan Planning Service. Each application is reviewed taking into account the existing density of tourist accommodations in the relevant city block, and applications for T1/T2 units in the Écusson are subject to enhanced review to protect the student housing stock. Compensation: Mandatory.

Montpellier requires compensation for any change of use to tourist accommodation. The compensation terms are defined by the municipality and aim to maintain a balance between the tourist and residential supply in a city that hosts 70,000 students. The compensation ratio is 1:1 throughout the municipality, and the compensating property must be located in the same or an adjacent neighborhood. Applications are processed by the Metropolitan Planning and Housing Department, with an average processing time of four months. The municipality pays particular attention to T1 and T2 (studio and one-bedroom) units, the most sought after by students.

Cap of 770 tourist accommodations in the city center

Montpellier has established a numerical cap of 770 authorized tourist accommodations in the city center, one of the few numerical quotas in France. Once this threshold is reached, no new authorizations are issued within the designated perimeter. This original system makes Montpellier a case study for other cities. The quota perimeter covers the Écusson (medieval historic center), the Antigone neighborhood designed by Ricardo Bofill, and the Saint-Roch train station area. A public counter is updated monthly on the metropolitan authority's website, allowing property owners to check the number of authorizations still available before starting their application process.

Montpellier has adopted a reinforced sanctions policy since establishing the 770 tourist accommodation quota, with an enforcement service of eight sworn agents patrolling the Écusson and surrounding neighborhoods. Property owners in violation face fines of up to €100,000, and the city hall publishes a quarterly sanctions report to deter offenders.

The maximum fine can reach €100,000 in Montpellier for the most serious violations. The city has set up a dedicated tourist accommodation enforcement service that regularly checks online listings and quota compliance. This service, composed of eight agents, conducts field inspections in the Écusson and the Antigone and Port-Marianne neighborhoods. In 2025, approximately thirty official reports were filed for quota exceedance or missing registration numbers. The Montpellier judicial court issues fines ranging from €10,000 to €50,000 depending on severity and repeat offenses.