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9090 days/yearimportant threshold – not a blanket banUrbanHome · Airbnb Locarno 2026
Airbnb in Locarno 2026: 90-day rule, registration and permits
If you rent an apartment or holiday home in Locarno through Airbnb or Booking.com in 2026, you need to understand Ticino’s 90-day building-permit threshold, mandatory accommodation ID registration and electronic guest reporting. Longer tourist use or larger accommodation businesses may trigger building and LEAR permit procedures. This guide explains registration with Ticino Turismo and Ascona-Locarno Tourism, the CHF 2 visitor tax per taxable overnight stay and what hosts should check before listing.
Author: Nikita von Niederhäuser, UrbanHome real estate expert1 November 2026 · Reading time: approx. 14 minutes
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IDIdentification numbermust appear in online and offline advertisements03
24hReport guestsReport NO-LEAR guests to the cantonal police within 24 hours04
>6larger accommodationmore than 6 beds and more than 90 days: check LEARKey point
In Locarno, 90 days is not a blanket Airbnb cap.
The 90-day threshold appears in several provisions of Ticino's planning and accommodation law. Bed capacity, hotel-style services, the property's approved use and municipal building practice also matter. Each case therefore needs to be checked before a listing is published.
Airbnb · Locarno · Ticino · 2026
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Up to 90 days
Within building zones, tourist letting not covered by the LEAR and lasting no more than 90 days per calendar year is generally exempt from a building permit. Prior notification to the Municipio is still required; stricter municipal rules remain reserved. [3]
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More than 90 days
Beyond 90 days, the specific building-permit exemption under Article 3(1)(p) RLE no longer applies. Ask the Locarno municipality about any change-of-use permit; the actual requirements depend on the property.
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The number of days is not the only factor
Among other exceptions, the LEAR does not cover accommodation for up to six people. Larger establishments let for more than 90 days may, however, require a cantonal accommodation licence. [4]
90-day rule 2026
What do 90 days actually mean in Locarno?
The number 90 does not simply distinguish what is 'allowed' from what is 'prohibited'. It mainly determines which procedure applies to the use of the accommodation.
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Up to 90 days/year
Tourist short-term letting
There is no general Airbnb exemption, but under Article 3(1)(p) RLE, tourist letting within building zones can be exempt from planning permission if the statutory conditions are met. Notification to the Municipio remains mandatory.
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More than 90 days/year
Planning and change-of-use review
The special building-permit exemption no longer applies. Ask the Locarno municipal building authority whether a change of use or building permit is needed for the specific property.
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More than 6 beds + >90 days
LEAR procedure
According to official Ticino guidance, properties with more than six beds that are let for over 90 days a year and do not yet hold a cantonal licence must complete the LEAR procedure.
In Locarno, 90 days is not a blanket Airbnb cap.
The 90-day threshold appears in several provisions of Ticino's planning and accommodation law. Bed capacity, hotel-style services, the property's approved use and municipal building practice also matter. Each case therefore needs to be checked before a listing is published.
Registration
6How to register an Airbnb in Locarno correctly
Registration, identification numbers, guest reporting and tourist taxes are separate obligations. This sequence helps you prepare. [1]
Ticino Turismo · Ascona-Locarno TurismoAirbnb · Booking · Short-term rental
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Classify the property
Classify the property
Check the number of beds, days let, hotel-style services and existing approved use.
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Register the accommodation
Register the accommodation
Properties with 1 to 6 beds and certain lettings of less than 90 days are registered through Ticino Turismo's platform.
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Display the identification number
Display the identification number
The assigned number must appear in every online listing, on your own website and in offline advertisements.
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Check with the Municipio / building authority
Check with the Municipio / building authority
For tourist use of up to 90 days, municipal notification is relevant; for longer or more intensive use, contact Locarno municipal building authorities.
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Report guests
Report guests
For accommodation outside the LEAR, the arrival of every overnight guest must be reported electronically to the cantonal police within 24 hours.
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Settle tourist charges
Settle tourist charges
Visitor tax and, where applicable, promotional tax must be passed on to the competent regional tourism organisation according to the property category and collection method.
Permits
When does an Airbnb in Locarno need a permit?
Registration alone does not replace any building or accommodation permit that may be required. [4]
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≤ 90 days and NO LEAR
Notification may replace a building permit
In building zones, tourist letting for up to 90 days per calendar year may be exempt from planning permission if the legal conditions are met. It must nevertheless be notified to the Municipio.
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> 90 days
Check the building procedure
Once 90 days are exceeded, the special exemption from planning permission no longer applies. Locarno has building-law procedures for these short-term tourist uses.
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> 6 beds and > 90 days
LEAR may apply
Larger accommodation establishments may also need a cantonal authorisation to operate as accommodation without restaurant services.
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Condominium / rented apartment
Also check private-law restrictions
Tenants generally need their landlord's consent for paid subletting. In condominiums, the co-owners' regulations and decisions may restrict short-term letting.
Taxes & reporting
Visitor tax, guest reporting and regional obligations
Since 1 January 2025, Ticino's visitor tax for rooms, holiday apartments and holiday residences has generally been CHF 2.00 per overnight stay; the cantonal rules also set CHF 2.00 for accommodation offered through online platforms with direct collection. The actual collection method depends on the accommodation category and sales channel. [6]
Airbnb registration does not replace guest reporting
Registered NO-LEAR accommodation must also report guests to the cantonal police within the prescribed time. Tourist charges are settled separately via the relevant regional tourism organisation (OTR) or under the applicable platform arrangement. [2]
A separate tourism promotion levy can also apply to certain types of accommodation. It should not automatically be treated as part of the visitor tax charged to guests.
Locarno today
What local steps apply to Airbnb hosts in Locarno?
Locarno hosts must follow Ticino registration and guest-reporting rules. Ascona-Locarno Tourism also explains the separate registration of each privately rented holiday property and the settlement of overnight stays.
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90days in building lawUp to 90 days may qualify for a building-permit exemption subject to conditions.02
1–6bedsSmaller accommodation receives an identification number via Ticino Turismo.03
24hguest reportingPaid overnight guests must generally be reported electronically within 24 hours.Ascona-Locarno Tourism asks private holiday-home providers to submit one signed registration form for each property. It then provides instructions for reporting overnight stays. This does not replace the Ticino accommodation ID or any building permit that may be required. See official source [5]. Official private-host information
Checklist
Airbnb in Locarno 2026: what to check before listing
These eight checks help reduce the risk of listing an accommodation that has not been properly registered or authorised.
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Airbnb · LocarnoChecklist
How many beds are being offered?
For how many days per calendar year will the property be let to tourists?
Are hotel-style services offered?
Is the accommodation registered with Ticino Turismo?
05–08
2026Checklist
Does the listing display the identification number?
Have municipal notification and planning requirements been clarified?
Is electronic guest reporting set up?
Have landlord consent and/or condominium regulations been checked?
Sources
Official sources and legal status
This assessment draws on current Ticino legislation, official registration information and the City of Locarno's published enforcement practice. Legal and data status: 29 October 2026.
- Ticino Turismo: register accommodation and obtain an identification number
- Ticino cantonal police: electronic guest reporting (Italian)
- Canton Ticino: building regulation RLE, Art. 3(1)(p) (Italian)
- Canton Ticino: hospitality act LEAR (Italian)
- Ascona-Locarno Tourism: private holiday rentals and registration per property (Italian)
- Ticino Turismo: visitor tax and tourism promotion levy
- Fedlex: Swiss Code of Obligations, Art. 262
- City of Locarno: building permits and commercial activities (Italian)
More on this topic
Related guides
Other published UrbanHome articles about short-term letting in Switzerland.
Direct answers
Frequently asked questions about Airbnb in Locarno in 2026
Direct answers about the 90-day threshold, registration, identification numbers, guest reporting and permits.
14FAQ
No. In Ticino, 90 days is mainly a regulatory threshold affecting exemption from planning permission and the legal classification of accommodation.
Not automatically. Under Article 3(1)(p) RLE, tourist letting in building zones for up to 90 days may be exempt from a building permit if the conditions are met, but it must be reported to the Municipio. Other rules still apply.
The special exemption from planning permission ceases to apply. The use must be discussed with the City or the Divisione Edilizia privata; other permits may be necessary depending on the property.
The official registration platform covers, among others, accommodation with 1 to 6 beds and properties let without hotel-style services for less than 90 days a year.
Yes. Ticino rules require the identification number to be displayed on online platforms, websites and offline publications.
Yes. For NO-LEAR accommodation, the host must electronically report the arrival of every overnight guest to the cantonal police within 24 hours.
According to official Ticino guidance, the LEAR procedure is particularly relevant for properties with more than six beds, let for more than 90 days a year and not yet holding a licence.
Hosts must account for tourist charges under Ticino tourism law. For holiday apartments and similar accommodation, visitor tax has generally been CHF 2.00 per overnight stay since 2025.
Yes. The regional tourism organisation asks private holiday-home providers to submit a registration form for each property. The Ticino ID, electronic guest reporting and any required permits remain separate obligations.
Generally yes. Paid subletting is governed by Article 262 of the Swiss Code of Obligations; the conditions and scope should be disclosed to the landlord and ideally approved in writing.
Yes. In addition to public law, condominium regulations and co-owners' decisions may restrict intensive short-term letting.
Contact Ticino Turismo or Ascona-Locarno Turismo for registration and tourist charges, the cantonal police for guest reporting, and the City of Locarno or Divisione Edilizia privata for planning and use questions.
For three taxable guests and four nights, the CHF 2 overnight rate gives CHF 24 in visitor tax. Any separate levy payable by the operator must be assessed independently.
Ticino Turismo provides the cantonal accommodation ID platform. Ascona-Locarno Tourism is the regional body that registers private holiday-home providers and handles tourism reporting arrangements.
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