Lisbon bans local accommodation in 19 Lisbon neighbourhoods and 8 parishes

New local accommodation guest houses have been banned in 19 Lisbon neighbourhoods and 8 parishes with a complete ban on new establishments in the historic downtown area of the capital.

According to the news source Público, Lisbon City Council has drawn up a new map which is open to public consultation until 14 April.

The map shows the ratio of the number of existing LA (Local Accommodation) establishments in relation to the number of family homes in each neighbourhood or parish.

Where establishments exceed a ratio of 5% no new establishments will be permitted while in areas where LA premises stand between 2.5% and 5% only limited number of new establishments will be allowed on a case-to-case basis.

And areas such as Bairro Alto, Madragoa, Castelo, Alfama, Mouraria, Colina de Santana, Baixa, Avenida da Liberdade, Avenida Almirante Reis that already have a ratio of 20% are strictly off limits.

In Santa Maria Maior 68.8% of all housing is given over to LA. New LA premises will not be allowed in Alcântara, Estrela, Misericórdia, Santa Maria Maior, São Vicente, Santo António, Arroios, and Avenidas Novas.

Other areas which may be subject to restrictions include Belém, Campo de Ourique, Penha de França, Parque das Nações, Ajuda and Campolide.

Other areas of Lisbon which the council are keeping an eye on include Arreeiro, Avenidas Novas, Arco do Cego, and Bairro dos Aliados.

And even zones much further away from the historic centre of Lisbon are on watch, including Olivais, Encarnação, and Alto do Chapeleiro in Santa Clara.