Politics
Charlottenburg City Council Approves Short-Term Rental Ordinance to Expand Long-Term Housing Stock
The July 7 vote caps annual short-term listings at 90 days and requires registration for all affected properties in the district.
How we reported this
On July 7 the Charlottenburg city council passed an ordinance that limits short-term rentals to 90 days per calendar year. The measure applies to every residential unit inside the district and requires owners to register with the local housing office before any listing begins.
Housing Market Pressures Prompting the Vote
The ordinance responds to the 2025 Charlottenburg Housing Stock Report, which documented that 15 percent of apartments in the district appeared on short-term platforms for more than half the year. Council records show the vote followed three public hearings held in May and June where residents submitted written comments on conversion of permanent units.
Charlottenburg residents searching for year-round leases will encounter fewer apartments removed from the standard rental pool. Households near the Schloss Charlottenburg or along the Spree river may locate units previously held for visitors now offered through local agencies on 12-month contracts.
Enforcement Funding and Compliance Process
The approved 2026 budget paper allocates 450000 euros for three new compliance officers and a digital registration portal. Property owners must file an annual declaration by October 1 or incur an initial fine of 5000 euros followed by additional penalties for continued violations.
The legislation states that registration data will feed into a public dashboard updated monthly. Residents can check the status of any address through the district website before signing a lease.
Information sessions for owners and tenants are scheduled for August 12 and August 19 at the Charlottenburg town hall. The housing office will begin issuing registration numbers on September 1 when the ordinance takes effect.