Puglia's new regional law lets cities cap short-term rentals zone by zone

Puglia's regional council approved a law, reported on 20 October 2026, that lets provincial capitals and 34 high-tourism municipalities designate zones where they set limits on short-term rentals. There is no regional cap. Councils must weigh tourist beds per resident, the spread of hotels, the urban fabric and effects on affordable housing, and may set zone limits, a ratio of floor area to guests, and quality standards. Renting out one's main residence is exempt, and existing lawful rentals get transitional rules. Hosts register with the municipality and receive a regional identification code alongside the national one.

The region supplies the tools and each city decides whether to use them, the opposite of a uniform national rule. Non-business rentals make up 87 percent of Puglia's tourist rentals, according to the regional tourism agency. The open questions are how many cities use the power, and whether rentals move to neighbouring towns without limits.