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Create my bookAirbnb regulations in Sète: what the Le Meur Law changes from 2025
Nicknamed the Venice of Languedoc for its canals crossing the town, Sète is a fishing and commercial port nestled between the Mediterranean, the Thau lagoon and Mont Saint-Clair. Birthplace of Georges Brassens and Paul Valéry, it attracts fans of water jousting, maritime gastronomy and unspoilt beaches. With 45,000 inhabitants and steadily rising tourist numbers, Sète regulates short-term furnished rentals to protect housing access in its most sought-after neighbourhoods.
120 days
Annual limit
50 000 €
Maximum fine
From the 2nd property
Compensation
Rental day limit in Sète
In Sète, primary residences can only be rented as vacation accommodation for 120 days per year. The rental of a primary residence as tourist accommodation in Sète is capped at 120 days per calendar year. This counter runs from 1 January to 31 December and includes all nights, regardless of the booking platform used. The Mont Saint-Clair, Corniche and town centre neighbourhoods around the canals are particularly monitored.
Booking platforms (Airbnb, Booking, Vrbo) must block listings in Sète beyond 120 days. Any excess exposes the owner to a fine of up to 50 000 €.
Usage change and compensation in Sète
To convert a property into a vacation rental in Sète, a usage change authorization is required. Compensation: From the 2nd property.
Compensation is mandatory in Sète from the second property rented as short-term tourist accommodation. The owner must compensate by returning an equivalent residential floor area to the long-term rental market within the municipality. This measure aims to preserve the permanent housing stock, particularly in the upper neighbourhood of Mont Saint-Clair and along the town centre canals.
Quotas and restrictions in Sète
No
Sète has not implemented numerical quotas for tourist rentals. Regulation operates through mandatory registration and the compensation mechanism from the second property onwards. The town hall nevertheless monitors supply trends in high tourist pressure zones, particularly the Pointe Courte neighbourhood and the area around Corniche beach.
Fines and enforcement in Sète
In Sète, property owners in violation face fines of up to 50 000 €.
Violations of tourist rental regulations in Sète are subject to a civil fine of up to €50,000. Targeted offences include failure to register, exceeding the 120-day cap, non-compliance with the compensation requirement and publishing listings without a declaration number. Inspections are stepped up during the summer period.
Specific rules in Sète
- Mandatory prior registration at the Sète town hall with an identification number to be displayed on all listings and rental contracts.
- Tourist tax collected by the owner and remitted to Sète Agglopôle Méditerranée according to the rates and schedule set by the intermunicipal authority.
- Compliance with maritime safety standards for properties located along the canals or on the quays, with appropriate safety equipment.
- Compliance with condominium rules in quayside buildings, which may restrict or regulate short-term rental.
- Obligation to inform guests about navigation and safety rules in the canals of Sète, as well as about the water jousting schedule in summer.
Energy rating (DPE): Properties offered for tourist rental in Sète must have an EPC that meets regulatory standards. Since 1 January 2025, properties rated F or G can no longer be rented as short-term accommodation. Old houses on Mont Saint-Clair and apartments on the canal quays are particularly affected by this energy performance requirement.
Le Meur Law: the complete guide for property owners
Discover all measures of the Le Meur Law 2025: taxation, energy ratings, national registration, co-ownership, and mayoral powers.
See also: regulations in nearby cities
Frequently asked questions
Registration is done online through the Sète town hall portal or at the urban planning department counter. You must provide a property title, the property's EPC and an insurance certificate. The number is issued within 15 days and must appear on all your listings. For a second property, the compensation application must be included.
Properties along the canals of Sète are not subject to specific restrictions beyond the common rules. However, check your condominium rules which may govern tourist rental activity. Safety standards related to proximity to water must be met. Registration at the town hall and the 120-day cap apply normally.
No, compensation only applies from the second property rented as short-term accommodation. For a first property, whether your primary residence or a secondary residence, registration at the town hall is sufficient. From the second property onwards, you must compensate by putting an equivalent floor area on the long-term rental market.
There is no regulatory obligation linked to the water jousting events. However, this iconic August event generates significant crowds in the town centre and on the quays. Inform your guests about traffic restrictions, alternative parking locations and possible noise disturbances related to the festivities.
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