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Paris City Council Approves 2026 Housing Zoning Reform, Adding Rental Units in Central Districts
The July 7 vote changes building rules in four arrondissements and directs 120 million euros from the capital works fund toward new apartments that will become available to residents earning under 3,000 euros a month.
How we reported this
Paris City Council approved the Housing Expansion Zoning Reform on July 7 by a 32-12 vote, altering land-use rules to allow taller residential buildings in the 11th, 12th, 18th and 19th arrondissements.
The measure responds to a documented shortfall of 18,000 rental units identified in the city's 2025 housing needs assessment, which the council reviewed during its June budget sessions.
Effects on Housing Access for Residents
Residents seeking apartments will encounter new supply in districts where single-family conversions previously limited multi-unit projects. Families in the 11th arrondissement, for example, will gain access to units located within 400 metres of existing metro entrances, cutting daily travel time to workplaces in the central business districts.
Local service providers, including the Paris Housing Authority, will allocate 40 percent of the projected 2,500 new apartments at rents capped at 12 euros per square metre under the terms stated in the reform ordinance. This cap applies to households that register through the municipal waiting list by the end of 2026.
The legislation states that each approved building must include ground-floor commercial space, which is expected to create 180 new retail and service jobs within walking distance of the new residences.
Timeline for Rollout and Further Actions
Permit applications open on 1 August, with the first site plans scheduled for public display at district town halls in September. Construction is projected to start in the first quarter of 2027 and finish by late 2028.
City staff will conduct five information meetings across the affected arrondissements during August to explain eligibility rules and the application process for both developers and prospective tenants.