Airbnb Regulations in Arcachon (2026)

Last verified: October 20, 2026

Editorial review

AirConcierge Editorial Team. General information only, not legal or tax advice. Local rules and your individual circumstances prevail.

120

days max/year

Yes

Registration

Yes

Change of use

Arcachon applies the national 120-day/year cap for primary residences. Registration is mandatory. A change-of-use authorization is mandatory to rent a secondary residence as tourist accommodation.

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Registration requirements

●
City hall registration — Since May 20, 2026, prior declaration for registration is mandatory for every furnished tourist rental, including primary residences, in every municipality (Tourism Code art. L324-1-1). Check the applicable online service with the municipality until the national portal opens.
●
Registration number — The registration number must appear on all your listings (Airbnb, Booking, etc.). Platforms are required to verify it.
●
Energy Performance Certificate (DPE) — For properties requiring a change-of-use permit (secondary residences), a DPE rated between A and E is required to obtain the authorization (Housing Code art. L631-7-1 A, loi Le Meur), then between A and D from 2034. From January 1, 2034, every furnished tourist rental that is not the host's primary residence must meet decent-housing energy standards (Tourism Code art. L324-2-2). No DPE is required for a primary residence.

Primary vs secondary residence

Primary

120 d/yr

Your primary residence (where you live at least 8 months per year) can be rented as furnished tourist accommodation for a maximum of 120 days per year. The municipality can reduce this cap to 90 days by municipal council decision.

Secondary

Change of use: required · Compensation: no

The city states that a change-of-use authorization request is mandatory for secondary residences rented as tourist accommodation. Check conditions with city hall.

Taxation

Tourist tax: 1-5%

Micro-BIC: 50% (classés) / 30% (non classés)

Furnished rental income is declared under micro-BIC regime or actual expenses. Since loi Le Meur (n°2024-1039): 50% allowance for classified tourist furnished rentals, 30% for non-classified (€15,000 cap). Tourist tax is collected automatically by platforms.

Compliance checklist

1
Check your property status
Determine if it is your primary residence (8+ months/year) or secondary. Rules differ considerably.
2
Register with city hall
Declare your rental and obtain your registration number. The national online service has been mandatory since May 20, 2026, but the host portal (DGE) is announced for Q4 2026: until then, follow your city hall's procedure.
3
Display number on your listings
Add your registration number on all platforms (Airbnb, Booking, Vrbo, etc.).
4
Obtain energy certificate
If your property is a secondary residence subject to change-of-use, obtain a DPE: a DPE rated A to E is required for the authorization (Housing Code art. L631-7-1 A). For a primary residence, a DPE is not required at registration.
5
Declare your income
Declare your rental income under BIC (micro-BIC or actual). Tourist tax is collected by platforms.

Fines

Offense	Fine	Details
Failure to register	10 000 EUR max	Fine for the host who does not declare their tourist rental (Tourism Code art. L324-1-1).
Exceeding the day cap	15 000 EUR max	Fine for renting a primary residence beyond the annual cap that applies in the municipality (Tourism Code art. L324-1-1).
False declaration or registration number	20 000 EUR max	Fine for a false declaration (including primary residence status) or a fake registration number (Tourism Code art. L324-1-1).
Unauthorized change of use	100 000 EUR max	Civil fine per unit converted without authorization where one is required, plus a penalty of up to EUR 1,000 per day per m² (Housing Code art. L651-2).
Listing without registration number (platform)	12 500 EUR max par meublé	Fine for the platform publishing a listing without a valid registration number, per property (Tourism Code art. L324-2-1).

Official sources

Last verified: October 20, 2026. Check official sources for the most recent information.

How should you run your rental?

FAQ

Is seasonal rental regulated on the Arcachon Bay?

Yes. Primary residence: 120 days maximum per year. Arcachon is a popular seaside destination with high tourism pressure in summer. City hall registration is mandatory. Many secondary residences are rented seasonally.

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