Italy’s Portofino enforces strict air conditioning rules amid rising temperatures

Renowned for its exclusivity and charm, a new and unexpected issue has emerged amid the soaring summer temperatures in the picturesque coastal village of Portofino.

In the sweltering heat of Portofino, the mood among residents of this exclusive Italian coastal village has turned frosty due to a crackdown on air conditioning units, Caliber.Az reports citing the foreign media.

Despite its tiny year-round population of just 379, Portofino is Italy’s wealthiest municipality and a haven for the rich and famous.

Recently, Madonna arrived for a rumored party hosted by Dolce & Gabbana, but the village’s buzz has centered on the local police’s search for unauthorized air conditioners installed by residents desperate to escape the oppressive heat.

Portofino, part of a regional national park since 1935, had long prohibited AC units on its iconic pastel-colored buildings. However, as summers grew hotter, regulations were relaxed to allow air conditioning, provided homeowners sought permission and ensured the units were discreetly placed to preserve the village’s natural beauty.

Police have been combing the village’s narrow streets for unauthorized units, reportedly spotting 22 illegal installations on rooftops and terraces between January and May, with 15 more detected since June as temperatures spiked.

Portofino's mayor, Matteo Viacava, dismissed claims in the Italian press that drones were being used in the investigation.

“It all started last winter when an air conditioning unit was installed, dominating a narrow street,” Mayor Matteo Viacava told the Guardian. “Summers have been getting hotter, with July and August becoming stiflingly humid. We don’t want people to suffer or lose sleep due to the heat—we all rely on AC now. However, Portofino is in a regional park with strict rules that must be followed.”

As temperatures soared, Corriere della Sera reported a “vendetta” among residents, with neighbors engaging in a cycle of denunciations. Some have tried to conceal their AC units or disguise them to blend with the local surroundings. In some cases, people have reportedly used invitations to neighbors’ homes as a cover to secretly photograph unauthorized units and report them to the authorities.

Violators face fines up to 43,000 euros (36,800 pounds) if prosecuted, though Viacava noted that most issues have been resolved without resorting to fines. “We want to ensure the rules are followed and Portofino’s beauty is preserved,” he said. “Units must be placed discreetly. We are gradually getting everything in order.”

A police officer in Portofino declined to provide details on the ongoing inspections.

Earlier this summer, Portofino was sealed off for a lavish pre-wedding party for Indian billionaires Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, with costs reportedly reaching 139 million euros. Italy has been experiencing consecutive heatwaves since mid-June, with some central and southern areas expected to exceed 40°C in the coming days. On Monday, the health ministry issued a red alert for 17 cities, advising residents and visitors to avoid direct sunlight between 11 am and 6 pm.

The demand for air conditioning in Italy has surged, with a 2022 Istat report revealing that half of all Italian households now have AC units.