Airbnb Regulation: Chamonix, Megève, Saint-Gervais, Sallanches — What Changes From Town to Town
There is no single “Airbnb regulation” across the Chamonix valley: each town sets its own rules, and confusing them is the costliest mistake an owner can make. This guide compares what actually applies in Chamonix, Les Houches, Saint-Gervais, Combloux, Megève, and Sallanches — and clearly flags what still needs direct verification.
For the criteria to choose a property manager who already knows these rules, see our guide to choosing an Airbnb property manager.
Table of Contents
At a Glance, in Order of Importance
- Chamonix, Les Houches, Servoz, and Vallorcine require a change-of-use authorization, not just a declaration
- Saint-Gervais, Combloux, and Les Contamines-Montjoie only require a simple declaration
- The quota is 1 authorization per person in Chamonix and Les Houches, 2 in Servoz and Vallorcine
- An A-to-E energy rating (DPE) is now required for any new change-of-use authorization
- Online registration has been mandatory everywhere since May 2026, even for a primary residence
- Megève and Sallanches don’t have rules as publicly documented — verify directly with the town hall
1. Why the Rules Vary So Much From One Town to the Next
Larger or higher-demand towns can regulate short-term tourist rentals through a change-of-use regime, with authorization and quotas. Other, less pressured towns stick to a simple declaration. In the Chamonix valley, several towns have chosen tighter controls, driven by tourism pressure and a shortage of year-round housing for residents.
Worth remembering: what applies to your property depends solely on its town, not the rest of the valley. Never assume a rule you’ve seen elsewhere applies to you.
- Prior change-of-use authorization required before listing
- Quota: 1 authorization per individual or entity in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and Les Houches, 2 in Servoz and Vallorcine
- Registration number required, displayed on every listing
- A-to-E energy rating (DPE) required for any new authorization
2. Chamonix, Les Houches, Servoz, Vallorcine: the Valley’s Strictest Regime
Since 1 May 2025, these towns require a prior change-of-use authorization, followed by a declaration of the rental. The property must display a registration number on every listing; platforms are required to delist any listing that doesn’t show one.
3. Saint-Gervais, Combloux, Les Contamines-Montjoie: a Lighter Regime
These towns only require a simple declaration to the town hall, with no prior change-of-use authorization or per-person quota. That’s a significant difference from the Chamonix regime: setting up a rental is administratively faster here, though online registration remains mandatory regardless (see section 5).
4. Megève and Sallanches: What’s Known, and What You Need to Verify Yourself
Unlike the Chamonix valley towns, publicly available official sources don’t spell out the exact regime applied in Megève and Sallanches: change-of-use authorization, a possible quota, or a simple declaration. Rather than guessing, the safest approach is to contact the relevant town hall’s planning department directly before any rental project.
Watch for this: never assume a town applies the same regime as its neighbor. Megève and Sallanches deserve direct, town-by-town verification.
- Online registration mandatory since May 2026, even for a primary residence
- 120-day annual cap on renting a primary residence (90 days if the town has voted to reduce it)
- Tourist tax declaration and payment, regardless of town
- Registration number required on every listing, across all platforms
5. What Applies Across the Whole Valley, Regardless of Town
Beyond town-level differences, several national rules now apply uniformly:
6. What Happens If You Don’t Follow Your Town’s Rules
Letting without the required authorization or declaration exposes you to sanctions that can include significant fines, on top of the risk of your listing being delisted outright by the platform for lacking a registration number. A property manager already familiar with each town’s specific process — like Care Concierge — keeps an owner from discovering these rules after the fact.
FAQ – Airbnb Regulation by Town
The most reliable way is to contact your town hall’s planning department directly. In Chamonix, Les Houches, Servoz, and Vallorcine, a change-of-use authorization is required. In Saint-Gervais, Combloux, and Les Contamines-Montjoie, a simple declaration is enough. For Megève and Sallanches, direct verification remains essential.
Yes, the quota is set per individual or entity within the relevant area (1 in Chamonix and Les Houches, 2 in Servoz and Vallorcine), not per property. An owner with several properties in the same town needs to check this cap before listing an additional one.
Contact the planning department at the town hall directly before listing. Don’t assume a neighboring town’s regime applies — each town hall sets its own rules, even within the same valley.
This requirement applies to new change-of-use authorization applications. Authorizations already granted before the rule took effect generally follow their own renewal terms — confirm with your town hall at renewal time.
Yes. Even under the 120-day cap (or 90 days depending on the town), online registration and tourist-tax declaration remain mandatory. Only the change-of-use authorization is not required for a primary residence let under that cap.
Sources and Further Reading
This article was written from official sources consulted in August 2026. Local rules evolve — always verify with your town hall before taking action.
Town of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc — Tourist rental and local planning rules
French Ministry for Ecological Transition — 2025 practical guide to tourist rental regulation
Official declaration portal — Chamonix Valley
Also worth reading: our guide to short-term rental regulations in Chamonix and how to choose an Airbnb property manager.
For the full detail applicable to Chamonix, see our guide to short-term rental regulations in Chamonix.
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