Pisa Targets Short-Term Rentals: “This City is Not a Hotel”

A new protest against short-term rentals unfolded in Pisa, as activists from the group Una città in Comune placed stickers on keyboxes across the city center, including near the iconic Leaning Tower. The stickers bore the message: “This city is not a hotel. Stop the speculation of short-term rentals.”

In a statement, the group highlighted the growing challenges short-term rental platforms pose to local communities. “In Pisa, the phenomenon of short-term rentals is consuming the city, making it increasingly difficult for families and workers to find housing,” the statement read.

There are 931 Short-term Rental Properties in the City

According to recent data provided by Pisa’s municipal administration in response to a query from the group, there are 931 short-term rental properties in the city. Of these, 246 are located on the coast, while central neighborhoods such as Borgo Stretto and Santa Maria account for 110. Other areas, including the station district, Pisanova, and Cisanello, also report significant concentrations of rentals. Beyond these figures, the city hosts an additional 268 guesthouses, 92 bed and breakfasts, 81 vacation homes, and five historic residences. Altogether, 1,377 residential units originally intended for housing are now part of the city’s tourist accommodation offerings.

The numbers are particularly concerning when juxtaposed with Pisa’s housing crisis. The city has around 4,000 vacant private-sector homes, yet approximately 200 people—90 of them minors—rely on emergency housing. Pisa also ranks among the highest in Italy for eviction rates. “The house is not a commodity but a right,” activists emphasized, calling for urgent action.

The group urged Pisa’s mayor, Michele Conti, to take stronger steps, including drafting a municipal regulation on short-term rentals. “Municipalities must intervene to prioritize residents’ rights over profits,” they stated, proposing a dedicated commission to explore legal and urban planning solutions.

Echoes of Florence’s Fight for Sustainable Tourism

This protest in Pisa follows a similar movement in Florence, where authorities recently banned keyboxes in the historic center to curb the proliferation of short-term rentals. The initiative, aimed at fostering more sustainable tourism, was widely discussed after it was reported by newspapers and web sites. Florence’s policy could serve as a model for Pisa, where locals are grappling with similar issues related to housing affordability and community displacement.

With these actions, both cities highlight a growing struggle across Tuscany to balance tourism with the needs of local communities. As the debate intensifies, municipalities will face mounting pressure to regulate short-term rentals and protect their residents.