Change of Use Authorisation (Changement d'Usage)

Which cities require it?

• Cities with over 200,000 inhabitants (Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Nice, Bordeaux, etc.)
• Designated zone tendue municipalities (approximately 1,100 communes)
• Any commune that has adopted a local deliberation requiring it

If your property is in a smaller commune not designated as zone tendue, this authorisation is generally not required.

The compensation mechanism

In major cities like Paris, Lyon, and Bordeaux, obtaining a change of use authorisation may require compensation:

• You must convert an equivalent surface area of commercial or office space to residential use
• In reinforced zones (Paris arrondissements 1-4, 8-11), the ratio may be higher (e.g., 2:1 or 3:1)
• Compensation rights can be purchased from specialised intermediaries

Not all affected communes require compensation. Some only require a simple declaration or registration.

How to apply

• Contact your mairie to determine if authorisation is required in your commune
• Submit an application to the mairie with property details
• If compensation is required, arrange it before or during the application
• The mairie issues a formal authorisation that must be obtained before operating

Penalties

• Fine of up to EUR 50,000 per property
• Daily penalty of up to EUR 1,000 until the situation is regularised
• The property may be ordered to revert to residential use
• Platforms may also face penalties for listing non-compliant properties

What Amanda does

Amanda flags the change of use requirement as a registry item when you declare a short-term rental in France. Because Amanda cannot determine whether your property is in an affected commune, this is shown as a check item for you to verify locally.

If your property is not in an affected commune, you can mark this as resolved (not required).