The city of Florence has announced a ban on key boxes in its historic center, including existing installations, with the rule expected to apply retroactively once approved. This new regulation, introduced by Mayor Sara Funaro, targets the mini lockboxes widely used for short-term rental access, which have recently come under public scrutiny.
Local activist group “Salviamo Firenze” recently marked key boxes with red X stickers to highlight the impact of short-term rentals on residential areas. The measure is part of a comprehensive ten-point plan aimed at promoting sustainable tourism, controlling visitor flow, and improving the quality of life for residents in a city that saw nearly 10.5 million visitors in 2023 and is projected to reach 15 million by the end of 2024 within a five-square-kilometer area.
The new initiative, announced by Mayor Funaro alongside Tourism Commissioner Jacopo Vicini, seeks to reduce the physical and environmental impact of tourism through a two-fold strategy that may extend the key box ban beyond the city center.
In addition to the key box prohibition, the ten-point plan includes increased surveillance of tourist services using digital tools and AI, inspired by Spanish models. It also formalizes a recent measure banning portable amplifiers for tour guides, an effort to reduce noise pollution in residential areas. A permanent tourism board will also be established to address ongoing issues and strategies.
Further measures aim to standardize the display of the National Identification Code (CIN) for short-term rentals on buildings, ensuring a cohesive look across properties and preventing a proliferation of mismatched signs. Other restrictions will limit the presence of non-traditional vehicles, including golf carts, pedicabs, and certain electric vehicles, which have raised concerns among residents.
This initiative forms part of a broader campaign to promote sustainable tourism and preserve Florence’s cultural and historical integrity amid record-breaking visitor numbers.
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