B&B rules re number of rooms in

Hi Sbthorne, I think maybe you have already got wind of the local law that puts a maximum limit on 3 bedroom or 6 bedplaces for B&Bs in Piemonte, See the law number 20 of 2000 (Legge Regionale 13 marzo 2000, n. 20) in linkhttp://www.invia.it/bed_and_breakfast/leggi/come_aprire_bed_and_breakfast_piemonte.php It states:3. L'attività, che deve avere carattere di saltuarietà anche se per periodi stagionali ricorrenti, deve essere esercitata utilizzando non più di tre camere con un massimo di sei posti letto.Translated roughly 3. The activity should be of intermittent character although seasonal recurrent, with a maximum of three rooms with a maximum of six beds. I am sorry I feel that this is not really what you wanted to hear. Maybe a Relais or Agriturismo or Hotel would be more your line. For example see:http://www.agriturismo.it/it/extra/aprire-un-agriturismo-in-piemonte-501 

Thanks Ronco for your time. Yes, there are many variations out there as I'm finding! I believe I CAN operate a B&B with more rooms, but then would need to be taxed as a normal business, rather than just operate it for supplementary income. I'm still researching to get better clarity and will look at the links you suggest.Thanks again!

Dear Sbthorne,

In Piemonte you can not run a B&B with more than 3 rooms for max. 6 persons in total, but there are a lot of other possibilities that give you the opportunity to run a similar business, it will only be called differently. For example, as an affitacamere you can have max. 6 rooms. Or, if you want to rent out holiday apartments / studios they are called "alloggi vacanze". Each has it's own rules, but the good thing is: almost everything is possible. See the list of accomodation types in Piemonte here : http://www.regione.piemonte.it/turismo/cms/strutture-ricettive (unfortunately the information is only available in Italian).

If you're in need of professional help in finding a property and / or starting a touristic activity, don't hesitate to ask (mail : info@advitalia.be, website: http://italy.advitalia.be )

If you get a partita IVA and therefore are a professional B&Ber there should be no limit on what you are allowed to do.  The regional laws are for people who let out a room to supplement their income and declare it on their tax forms.  if it is a business and run as such, the national law will surely apply.  

Perhaps the way round it is not to call it anything.  I have clients who did that - they just called 'Palazzo bello'  or whatever- neither b&b nor hotel nor casa vacanza.  Just a house.  Never had problems.  

Hello Steve,I have finally talked to my Italian friends who run a B& B in Acqui Terme and am getting back to you. They confirmed the above comments in this forum conversation, stating in that 3 bedrooms (6 bed places) is the maximum to stay within the favorable B&B tax bracket; above that you get taxed differently. Everything is possible but your tax status will be defined on the size and set up of your structure. My friends advice is to get a local accountant who will be familiar with the Piemonte Tax law for B&B / small hotels, who can best advise you on planning a future business. I would  recommended to find an English speaking one to make life easier for you at the minute – it must be possible to find one if you set your mind to it, and get the relevant Tax planning advice at the beginning of your business planning.  By the way I am an Architect from the UK and living/working in Italy for many years. If you require an Architect I would be delighted to be of assistance, I am often in Piemonte and could possibly view a property that you are evaluating to give advice free of commitment. All the best and happy hunting, Conor

Dear Sbthorn,
I own a B&B in Piedmont + I'm an architect.
Most information which was given to you is correct but ..there's a bit of confusion.
Feel free to contact me if you need any clarification,
Buona domenica
Elisabetta

Buongiorno Steve,
to answer your questions:

1. B&B: up to 3 bedrooms/6 guests;
Affittacamere: up to 6 bedrooms/12 guests;
Hotel: from 7 bedrooms up (if you have more than 7 bedrooms, it cannot be anything else but a hotel).

2. You mention "Residence" which is an additional type of activity. In order to call it Residence or Casa Vacanza, you need to have at least 3 apartments/houses without shared services. The apartments need to be equipped with their own kitchen and, of course, be furnished.

- B&B can only serve breakfast.
- Affittacamere can offer meals to its own guests. In order to do so, you need to request a specific approval by the sanitary service, in addition to the one for Affittacamere.

All kind of activities are subject to taxation (B&B included, in spite of what most people believe), what changes is the bookkeeping they require. Taxation cannot be defined a priori, it depends on your overall income.

3. Affittacamere can serve meals to its clients (not to external clients like a restaurant). The procedure to follow is specified here:
http://www.regione.piemonte.it/turismo/cms/strutture-ricettive/affittacamere.html
For food somministration in particular:
http://www.regione.piemonte.it/sanita/cms2/alimenti/notifica-imprese-alimentari

...Italians make things complicated, I know. It's even hard for us Italians to understand all requirements!

All the best!

Elisabetta

PS: In case you have enough land to be considered a farmer (agricoltore), you could create an agriturismo, which can have up to 25 beds, but that's a completely different story.

Dear Elisabette,I just came across your post from a couple of years ago - I hope you;re business continues to do well! I wonder if you can advise on the tax or where I can get advice on the tax for renting our a dependance/2nd house on the same land as your main house - for holiday use so 3-5 months of the year please.Grazie milleMark.

This is very useful information. Does anyone know if the same limitation exists for a max of 6/3 bedrooms in Varese/Lombardy as it does in Piedmonte?