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Create my bookAirbnb regulations in Chamonix: what the Le Meur Law changes from 2025
Birthplace of mountaineering and a legendary resort at the foot of Mont Blanc, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc welcomes over two million visitors each year, drawn by its ski areas, the Aiguille du Midi, the Mer de Glace glacier and its legendary hiking trails. The municipality of 8,600 permanent residents faces a chronic housing shortage, worsened by the mass conversion of residences into tourist rentals. The town has implemented one of the strictest regulatory frameworks in France to protect the residential housing stock.
90 days
Annual limit
50 000 €
Maximum fine
Mandatory
Compensation
Rental day limit in Chamonix
In Chamonix, primary residences can only be rented as vacation accommodation for 90 days per year. Chamonix applies a cap of 90 days per calendar year for renting primary residences as tourist accommodation. This reduced threshold reflects the extreme tension in the valley's property market. Nights are counted via a mandatory remote declaration system, and owners are subject to regular inspections, particularly in the high-altitude hamlets and the town centre.
Booking platforms (Airbnb, Booking, Vrbo) must block listings in Chamonix beyond 90 days. Any excess exposes the owner to a fine of up to 50 000 €.
Usage change and compensation in Chamonix
To convert a property into a vacation rental in Chamonix, a usage change authorization is required. Compensation: Mandatory.
Compensation is mandatory in Chamonix for any property rented as tourist accommodation that is not the owner's primary residence. The mechanism requires returning an equivalent residential floor area to the permanent rental market within the municipality. Given the scarcity of land in the valley, this constraint is particularly difficult to meet and serves as a deliberate deterrent against the proliferation of tourist rentals.
Quotas and restrictions in Chamonix
Quotas in place
Chamonix has established a quota system to limit the total number of tourist rentals in the municipality. The number of authorisations is capped by area, from the town centre to the hamlets of Les Bois, Les Praz, Argentière and Les Houches. When a sector's quota is reached, no new authorisations are issued. This system aims to guarantee a minimum of permanent housing in each neighbourhood.
Fines and enforcement in Chamonix
In Chamonix, property owners in violation face fines of up to 50 000 €.
Offenders against tourist rental regulations in Chamonix risk a civil fine of up to €50,000. Non-compliance with quotas, failure to compensate, exceeding the 90-day cap and operating without registration are severely sanctioned. The municipality has recruited dedicated officers to detect illegal rentals.
Specific rules in Chamonix
- Mandatory registration at the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc town hall, with issuance of an authorisation number conditional on compliance with the sector quota.
- Mandatory compensation for secondary residences: returning an equivalent floor area to the long-term market within the municipality.
- Compliance with geographical sector quotas: check authorisation availability before any application with the urban planning department.
- Compliance with mountain zone construction standards, including seismic rules and snow load resistance requirements.
- Increased tourist tax collected by the owner and remitted to the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc Valley intermunicipal authority.
Energy rating (DPE): Tourist rentals in Chamonix must meet EPC requirements. Properties rated F or G have been excluded from short-term rental since 1 January 2025. At altitude, thermal insulation is a major concern: traditional wooden chalets may require significant work to achieve a satisfactory rating, while respecting local architectural constraints.
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
The quotas set a maximum number of tourist rentals per geographical area. Each neighbourhood — town centre, Les Bois, Les Praz, Argentière — has a cap. When this cap is reached, no new authorisations are issued. Owners must check availability with the urban planning department before starting the registration process.
If it is your primary residence, yes, within the 90-day per year limit and provided the Les Praz sector quota has not been reached. For a secondary residence, mandatory compensation is added: you will need to return an equivalent floor area to the long-term rental market within the municipality of Chamonix.
Chamonix faces an acute housing crisis. With only 8,600 permanent residents and over two million annual visitors, a significant share of the housing stock has been converted into tourist rentals. The strict framework — quotas, compensation, 90-day cap — aims to halt this drain and ensure affordable housing for resort workers.
The EPC compliance requirement can indeed be challenging for older wooden chalets, whose thermal insulation may be insufficient. Energy renovation work is possible but must respect local architectural constraints. Financial aid is offered by the intermunicipal authority to help owners meet these standards.
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