Create your free welcome book
Create my bookAirbnb regulations in Valence: what the Le Meur Law changes from 2025
Gateway to the South and sub-prefecture of the Drôme department, Valence overlooks the Rhône facing the mountains of Ardèche. The city of 65,000 inhabitants attracts visitors with its panoramic terraces, the 16th-century Maison des Têtes, the Jouvet Park and its Drôme gastronomy. A favoured stopover on the road to the south, Valence is seeing its tourist rental supply grow, regulated by national declaration and registration requirements.
120 days
Annual limit
50 000 €
Maximum fine
Not required
Compensation
Rental day limit in Valence
In Valence, primary residences can only be rented as vacation accommodation for 120 days per year. The rental of a primary residence as tourist accommodation in Valence is capped at 120 days per calendar year. This threshold applies from 1 January to 31 December and covers all cumulative nights. Owners, whether located in the old town centre, the Victor Hugo neighbourhood or on the city heights, must comply with this limit and declare their nights.
Booking platforms (Airbnb, Booking, Vrbo) must block listings in Valence beyond 120 days. Any excess exposes the owner to a fine of up to 50 000 €.
Usage change and compensation in Valence
To convert a property into a vacation rental in Valence, a usage change authorization is required. Compensation: Not required.
Valence has not implemented a compensation mechanism for tourist rental of properties. Owners are not required to convert commercial floor areas into housing, regardless of the number of properties they operate as short-term rentals. Regulation relies on registration and compliance checks.
Quotas and restrictions in Valence
No
No quota has been set by the Valence municipality to govern the number of tourist rentals. The town nevertheless monitors market trends, particularly in the historic centre around the Saint-Apollinaire cathedral and in the Épervière neighbourhood, valued for its proximity to the Rhône riverbanks.
Fines and enforcement in Valence
In Valence, property owners in violation face fines of up to 50 000 €.
Violations of tourist rental regulations in Valence are sanctioned by a civil fine of up to €50,000. Failure to register, exceeding the 120-day cap and renting a property that does not comply with the EPC are among the offences subject to penalties.
Specific rules in Valence
- Mandatory registration with the Valence town hall with a number to be displayed on all tourist rental listings.
- Collection of the tourist tax and remittance to Valence Romans Agglo according to the rates applicable to classified and unclassified tourist rentals.
- Compliance with the local urban plan and heritage prescriptions for properties within the protection perimeter of the Saint-Apollinaire cathedral.
- Making available in the property the owner's or manager's contact details, the registration number and the house rules.
- Compliance with safety and accessibility rules for properties in apartment buildings, with mandatory smoke detectors and evacuation plans.
Energy rating (DPE): Tourist rentals in Valence must comply with energy performance standards. Properties rated F or G on the EPC have been banned from short-term rental since 1 January 2025. Old buildings in the town centre, particularly around the Grande Rue and the Côte Saint-Martin, are particularly affected by this measure.
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
You must register with the Valence town hall by providing property details, a valid EPC and a home insurance certificate. The registration number obtained must appear on all your listings. The process is done online via the city website. The 120-day per year cap applies to primary residences.
No, the Épervière neighbourhood is not subject to additional restrictions compared to the rest of the municipality. Registration requirements and the 120-day cap apply identically. If your property is part of a condominium, however, check that the condominium rules do not prohibit short-term rental.
No, Valence does not require compensation, regardless of the number of properties operated as tourist rentals. Each property must however be registered separately at the town hall. The tourist tax must be collected and remitted for each of them to Valence Romans Agglo.
Old buildings on the Grande Rue may be within the protection perimeter of the Saint-Apollinaire cathedral. Any exterior modification must be approved by the Architecte des Bâtiments de France. The EPC must meet current standards. Also check fire safety standards, as these buildings may have specific constraints.
Renting in Valence? Prepare now
Create a professional welcome book for your guests and ensure smooth and compliant management of your rentals in Valence.
Create my book for free