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Buenos Aires has strict regulations for short-term rentals like Airbnb that combine city-level requirements with individual building bylaws that can be even more restrictive.
Many building bylaws explicitly prohibit Airbnb rentals or require homeowners' association approval, making it challenging for property owners to operate legal short-term rentals even when city regulations permit them.
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Buenos Aires requires Airbnb hosts to register with city authorities and meet health and safety standards, but building bylaws often impose stricter restrictions or outright bans.
Enforcement is more aggressive at the building level than by city inspectors, with homeowners' associations actively challenging unauthorized short-term rentals.
| Regulation Type | Key Requirements | Enforcement Level |
|---|---|---|
| City Bylaws | Registration with Tourism Entity, safety standards, DUU tax collection | Limited and inconsistent |
| Building Bylaws | Homeowners' association approval, often complete prohibition | Strict and rapid |
| Registration Process | Mandatory city registration number for all listings | Low compliance rates |
| Maximum Stay | 90 days per guest before long-term lease laws apply | Moderate enforcement |
| Foreign Owners | Same regulations as locals, slight tax differences | Standard enforcement |
| Penalties | Building fines, legal injunctions, forced delisting | Actively enforced by buildings |
| New Buildings | Most explicitly prohibit Airbnb in bylaws | Very strict enforcement |
What exactly do Buenos Aires city bylaws say about short-term rentals like Airbnb?
Buenos Aires city bylaws require all Airbnb hosts to register their properties with the Tourism Entity of Buenos Aires through Law 6255 and Resolution No. 138/ENTUR/20.
The registration process grants you a specific registration number that must be displayed on all Airbnb listings. Hosts must meet health and safety standards including compliant utilities, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits.
City regulations also require hosts to post clear emergency instructions and contact details in their properties. If you host families with children, additional safety measures are mandatory.
As of September 2025, hosts must collect the Urban Use Right (DUU) fee from non-resident guests over age 12 at $0.75 USD per day, remitting this tax to the city bimonthly.
The city regulations focus primarily on safety standards and tax compliance rather than restricting the actual operation of short-term rentals.
Are building bylaws in Buenos Aires different from city regulations when it comes to Airbnbs?
Yes, building bylaws in Buenos Aires can be significantly more restrictive than city regulations regarding Airbnb operations.
While the city allows registered short-term rentals, individual building bylaws often restrict or completely prohibit Airbnb activities. Each building's homeowners' association (consorcio) can establish its own rules that supersede city permissions.
Many buildings require explicit approval from the homeowners' association before you can list your property on Airbnb. This approval process can take weeks or months and is frequently denied.
Building bylaws typically address issues like noise complaints, security concerns, and building access that city regulations don't cover in detail.
It's something we develop in our Argentina property pack.
How many consecutive days can you legally rent out an apartment on Airbnb in Buenos Aires?
Buenos Aires allows temporary rental contracts for up to 90 consecutive days (3 months) per guest under short-term rental rules.
After 90 days, Argentina's long-term lease law applies, requiring a minimum three-year rental contract. This means guests cannot stay beyond 90 days on a short-term rental basis.
You can host different guests for multiple 90-day periods throughout the year, but each individual guest is limited to the 90-day maximum stay.
This regulation helps distinguish between short-term tourist accommodations and long-term residential rentals, which fall under different legal frameworks.
Exceeding the 90-day limit with the same guest can result in the rental being reclassified as a long-term lease with different legal obligations and tenant protections.
Do you need a special license or registration to operate an Airbnb in Buenos Aires?
Yes, registration with Buenos Aires' Tourism Entity is mandatory for operating any legal short-term rental in the city.
The registration process requires you to submit property details, safety compliance documentation, and contact information through the Remote Procedures system. You'll receive a unique registration number that must appear on all Airbnb listings.
As of September 2025, compliance rates remain low, with many operating rentals lacking proper registration. However, unregistered properties face potential fines and delisting.
The registration process also requires you to demonstrate compliance with health and safety standards before approval. This includes proof of working utilities, fire safety equipment, and emergency contact procedures.
Registration is free but requires annual renewal to maintain legal operating status in Buenos Aires.
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Are there restrictions on the number of Airbnb units allowed per building in Buenos Aires?
Buenos Aires city bylaws do not set specific caps on the number of short-term rental units allowed per building.
However, individual building bylaws frequently impose their own restrictions on the number of Airbnb units permitted. Some buildings allow only a certain percentage of units to operate as short-term rentals.
Many newer buildings completely prohibit short-term rentals regardless of quantity, while older buildings may limit them to prevent disruption to long-term residents.
Homeowners' associations often vote on these restrictions, and decisions can change based on resident complaints or building management policies.
The lack of city-wide unit limits means building-level restrictions vary dramatically across Buenos Aires neighborhoods and property types.
Do building bylaws in Buenos Aires usually require approval from the homeowners' association before listing on Airbnb?
Yes, most building bylaws in Buenos Aires require explicit approval from the homeowners' association (consorcio) before you can list your property on Airbnb.
The approval process typically involves submitting a formal request to the building administration, which then presents it to the homeowners' association for a vote. This process can take 30-60 days depending on meeting schedules.
Many homeowners' associations deny these requests due to concerns about noise, security, building access, and potential property damage from short-term guests.
Even if initially approved, homeowners' associations can revoke permission if complaints arise from other residents or if building policies change.
Operating without homeowners' association approval when required by building bylaws can result in fines, legal action, and forced closure of your Airbnb operation.
Are foreign property owners in Buenos Aires treated differently from local owners under Airbnb bylaws?
Foreign property owners face the same Airbnb regulations as local owners under Buenos Aires city bylaws and building regulations.
There are no explicit legal distinctions between foreign and local owners regarding short-term rental permissions, registration requirements, or operational restrictions.
However, foreign owners may encounter additional administrative complexities around tax collection and remittance procedures for the DUU fee and other local taxes.
Foreign owners must still obtain the same city registration and homeowners' association approvals required for all Airbnb operators in Buenos Aires.
It's something we develop in our Argentina property pack.
What fines or penalties can be imposed if you violate building bylaws by hosting Airbnbs in Buenos Aires?
Violating building bylaws regarding Airbnb operations can result in fines set by the homeowners' association, typically ranging from $500 to $2,000 USD depending on the building and violation severity.
Homeowners' associations can issue legal injunctions to force immediate cessation of Airbnb activities and may pursue additional legal action for repeated violations.
Building administrators can impose forced delisting of your property from Airbnb and other rental platforms. Some buildings also restrict building access for guests of violating units.
Repeated violations can result in escalating penalties and potential legal action from the consorcio, including liens against your property.
City-level penalties for unregistered operations are less frequently enforced but can include fines and forced closure of illegal short-term rental operations.
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Do most new residential buildings in Buenos Aires explicitly prohibit Airbnb in their bylaws?
Yes, most new residential buildings constructed in Buenos Aires after 2020 explicitly prohibit Airbnb and other short-term rentals in their building bylaws.
New building developers typically include anti-Airbnb clauses in original bylaws to attract long-term residents and avoid potential conflicts with short-term guests.
These prohibitions are written into the building's foundational documents and require significant homeowner majority votes to overturn, making changes extremely difficult.
Luxury buildings and those in prime tourist areas like Palermo and Recoleta are particularly likely to have explicit short-term rental bans.
Buildings constructed before 2018 are more likely to allow Airbnb operations, though many have since amended their bylaws to restrict or prohibit short-term rentals.
Is there a minimum apartment size requirement in Buenos Aires bylaws for running an Airbnb?
Buenos Aires city bylaws do not establish a minimum apartment size requirement for operating short-term rentals like Airbnb.
However, individual building bylaws may contain size restrictions or requirements specific to their property. Some buildings limit short-term rentals to apartments above certain square footage thresholds.
Studio apartments and one-bedroom units can legally operate as Airbnb rentals if they meet city registration and safety requirements.
Building bylaws might restrict short-term rentals based on apartment type rather than size, such as limiting them to larger units to minimize noise complaints.
The absence of city-wide size requirements means restrictions vary significantly between buildings and neighborhoods across Buenos Aires.
Are neighbors allowed to legally challenge or block an Airbnb in their Buenos Aires building?
Yes, neighbors can legally challenge Airbnb operations in their Buenos Aires buildings through the homeowners' association (consorcio) system.
Neighbors can file formal complaints with building administration citing noise, security concerns, building damage, or bylaw violations. These complaints trigger investigations and potential penalties.
The homeowners' association has legal authority to vote on restricting or banning specific Airbnb operations based on neighbor complaints and building bylaw violations.
Neighbors can also pursue legal action through Buenos Aires courts if building-level remedies prove insufficient for addressing ongoing violations.
It's something we develop in our Argentina property pack.
How strictly are these Airbnb bylaws actually enforced by city inspectors or building administrators in Buenos Aires?
City-level enforcement of Airbnb bylaws by Buenos Aires inspectors is limited and inconsistent as of September 2025.
| Enforcement Entity | Enforcement Level | Common Actions |
|---|---|---|
| City Inspectors | Low - Irregular inspections | Registration checks, safety violations |
| Building Administrators | High - Active monitoring | Fines, delisting, access restrictions |
| Homeowners' Associations | Very High - Resident-driven | Bylaw enforcement, legal action |
| Tourism Entity | Moderate - Administrative | Registration compliance, tax collection |
| Neighbor Complaints | High - Immediate response | Investigations, penalty proceedings |
Building administrators and homeowners' associations enforce their bylaws much more strictly and rapidly than city authorities, often responding to violations within days of complaints.
The majority of Airbnb operations in Buenos Aires remain unregistered with city authorities, indicating low compliance rates and limited enforcement capacity.
Building-level enforcement is more effective because it's resident-driven and has immediate impact on property access and operations.
Conclusion
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Readers are advised to consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. We do not assume any liability for actions taken based on the information provided.
Buenos Aires presents a challenging environment for Airbnb investments due to strict building bylaws that often override permissive city regulations.
Property investors should thoroughly research building bylaws and homeowners' association policies before purchasing units intended for short-term rental operations in Buenos Aires.
Sources
- Airbtics - Airbnb Rules in Buenos Aires Argentina
- Buenos Aires Herald - The Airbnb Effect
- Airbnb News - A Step Forward in Buenos Aires
- Airbnb Help - Buenos Aires Tax Information
- Lodge Compliance - Argentina Regulations
- Becci.dk - Rentals in Buenos Aires
- 4Rent Argentina - Temporary vs Traditional Rentals
- TravelFoot - Airbnb in Buenos Aires