The City of Sydney has announced a ban on lockboxes attached to public infrastructure, a move that will affect Airbnb hosts, landlords, and property managers who use the devices for key exchange. Owners will have until April 1, 2027, to remove the lockboxes before a formal removal program commences.
The ban targets lockboxes affixed to public assets such as poles, signs, fences, trees, tree guards, and bike racks. According to the council, these boxes pose safety risks, interfere with maintenance operations, and can cause damage to public property.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore stated that lockboxes have become a growing issue within the local government area. "Lockboxes on our infrastructure are unsightly and can create safety risks like trip hazards or obstruction," Moore said. "They can interfere with our ability to maintain City of Sydney assets and they can damage the things they are chained to. We've even had an instance of one being drilled into a street tree."
The policy, which follows a council resolution earlier this year to address the increasing number of lockboxes on public assets, provides owners with an extended period to find alternative solutions. "We are putting people on notice that the base of a tree or a metal bike stand is not an appropriate place for a lockbox," Moore added. "By not commencing the scheme for over six months, we are giving owners enough time to make different arrangements before we begin our removal program."
Lockboxes collected by council officers will be held for 28 days, allowing owners to retrieve them before disposal. The City of Sydney plans to conduct a notification and education campaign to ensure awareness and encourage compliance.
While the main removal program is scheduled to begin in April 2027, the council reserves the right to remove lockboxes that present an immediate safety risk, create an obstruction, or block access to high-use or sensitive infrastructure as soon as they are identified.
The council has suggested several alternatives for property owners currently relying on lockboxes attached to public infrastructure. These include installing lockboxes on private property, arranging for in-person key handovers, utilizing concierge or professional key management services, or adopting digital access technologies such as smart locks and keypad entry systems.
The City of Sydney maintains that public infrastructure is intended for community use and should not be utilized for private business purposes. This new regulation is anticipated to affect landlords, property managers, and short-term accommodation providers who have depended on lockboxes on public property for property access.
This announcement comes amidst increased scrutiny of Sydney's short-term rental market. In April, the City of Sydney considered measures, including a potential ban on platforms like Airbnb and Stayz, due to concerns about their impact on housing supply. Homelessness NSW is advocating for stricter regulations, proposing a 7.5% levy on short-term rental properties. At the state level, the NSW Government is finalizing its review of short-term rental accommodation laws, with results expected later this year.