What is the TOT tax rate in Lafayette, LA?

**9% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Lafayette. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests, though major platforms like Airbnb often handle this automatically. Be sure to verify that your hosting platform is collecting and remitting on your behalf.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Lafayette?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are generally allowed in Lafayette in most residential and mixed-use districts. You need to obtain a permit and adhere to occupancy limits of two persons per bedroom plus two. Always check with the Lafayette Planning & Zoning Department for specific zoning regulations.

How much does an STR permit cost in Lafayette?

**$100** is the annual fee for a Short-Term Rental Permit in Lafayette. This permit is required for all short-term rental operators. You must register with the Planning & Zoning Department and undergo a fire safety inspection to ensure compliance before you can host.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Lafayette?

**No**, the regulations don't explicitly allow or disallow renters from hosting on Airbnb in Lafayette. However, you should consult your lease agreement and obtain permission from the property owner before listing a rental unit. Operating without permission may violate your lease terms.

Lafayette

Moderate

LouisianaUpdated Feb 10, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

The City of Lafayette requires all short-term rental operators to obtain an annual permit and undergo a fire safety inspection. While zoning permits STRs in most residential and mixed-use districts, hosts must provide proof of $500,000 liability insurance and adhere to occupancy limits of two persons per bedroom plus two.

Restriction level

Severity 18

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in the City of Lafayette, you must first register with the Planning & Zoning Department and pay a $100 annual fee. Your home will need to pass a fire inspection to ensure you have smoke detectors and posted evacuation routes. You don't need to live in the home full-time to rent it out, but you must have a local contact person available 24/7. Finally, make sure you collect the 9% total hotel tax, although major platforms like Airbnb usually handle this for you.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$100

Processing time14-30 days

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1You must have a fire inspection completed before your permit is fully approved.
2Occupancy is strictly limited to 2 per bedroom + 2 extra, capped at 10 people total.
3Proof of $500,000 liability insurance specifically for rentals is mandatory.
4A local emergency contact who can respond within 1 hour must be identified.
5Your permit number must be clearly displayed in the text of any online listing.
6Rentals in Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are allowed but must follow all standard STR rules.
7Failure to renew your permit annually can result in heavy daily fines and platform removal.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

Lafayette: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Lafayette does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Lafayette: The entire dwelling unit must be rented to a single party; room-by-room concurrent rentals are prohibited.

Requirements15 rules

Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Lafayette: 1. STRs are strictly prohibited in RS (Residential Single-Family) zones, covering approx. 75% of the city. 2. The 24/7 STR Agent must be able to respond to complaints in person if necessary. 3. Licenses are non-transferable and do not run with the land if the property is sold. 4. A 2% TBID assessment recently went into effect for hotels but currently excludes small STRs/B&Bs. 5. Neighbor notification of all adjacent property owners is a mandatory part of the permit application. 6. The entire dwelling unit must be rented to a single party; room-by-room concurrent rentals are prohibited. 7. Violations can result in fines up to $1,000 per day and a two-year ban on hosting if the license is revoked.

Application process8 rules

How to set up an STR in Lafayette: To host an Airbnb in the City of Lafayette, you must first verify that your home is not in a 'Residential Single-Family' (RS) zone, as STRs are completely banned in those neighborhoods. If you are in an allowed zone, you need to apply for a $100 annual license from the City and appoint a local 'STR Agent' who can respond to issues 24/7. You are also required to register with the Lafayette Parish School System to pay the local room taxes, which total about 9% when combined with state sales tax.

Fees & costs1 rule

Lafayette charges a registration fee of $100 (annual).

Taxes2 rules

Louisiana has a state sales tax of 5% that applies to STR rentals.
Lafayette charges a Hotel/Motel Tax (Parish/City) of 4%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Note: Platforms may remit state sales tax but hosts are generally responsible for local remittance to the School System.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Lafayette limits STRs to a maximum of 8 guests. Formula: Maximum of four guest rooms, 2 persons per room.
Lafayette limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Lafayette occupancy calculation: Maximum of four guest rooms, 2 persons per room.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Lafayette enforces quiet hours: Typically 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM per general noise ordinance..

Safety requirements1 rule

Lafayette requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Internal sign with 24/7 Agent contact info, Copy of STR license must be posted inside.

Penalties3 rules

Lafayette: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions2 rules

Lafayette exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).
Lafayette: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Lafayette

0/5

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Zoning Eligibility

Consult the Lafayette Planning & Zoning map to ensure your property is in an allowed zone.

1 dayFree

Official resource

Step 2

Gather Documentation

Prepare your site plan, floor plan with evacuation routes, and proof of $500,000 liability insurance.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Liability Insurance Certificate
Floor Plan
Site Plan

Step 3

Submit Application

Submit the Short-Term Rental Application via the Planning & Zoning online portal or in person.

1 day$100

Official resource

Step 4

Schedule Fire Inspection

The Lafayette Fire Department must inspect the property for safety compliance before a permit is issued.

7-14 daysFree

Step 5

Tax Registration

5 daysFree

Official resource

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Lafayette

Moderate

LouisianaUpdated Feb 10, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 18

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$100

Processing time14-30 days

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1You must have a fire inspection completed before your permit is fully approved.
2Occupancy is strictly limited to 2 per bedroom + 2 extra, capped at 10 people total.
3Proof of $500,000 liability insurance specifically for rentals is mandatory.
4A local emergency contact who can respond within 1 hour must be identified.
5Your permit number must be clearly displayed in the text of any online listing.
6Rentals in Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are allowed but must follow all standard STR rules.
7Failure to renew your permit annually can result in heavy daily fines and platform removal.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

Lafayette: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Lafayette does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Lafayette: The entire dwelling unit must be rented to a single party; room-by-room concurrent rentals are prohibited.

Requirements15 rules

Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Lafayette: 1. STRs are strictly prohibited in RS (Residential Single-Family) zones, covering approx. 75% of the city. 2. The 24/7 STR Agent must be able to respond to complaints in person if necessary. 3. Licenses are non-transferable and do not run with the land if the property is sold. 4. A 2% TBID assessment recently went into effect for hotels but currently excludes small STRs/B&Bs. 5. Neighbor notification of all adjacent property owners is a mandatory part of the permit application. 6. The entire dwelling unit must be rented to a single party; room-by-room concurrent rentals are prohibited. 7. Violations can result in fines up to $1,000 per day and a two-year ban on hosting if the license is revoked.

Application process8 rules

How to set up an STR in Lafayette: To host an Airbnb in the City of Lafayette, you must first verify that your home is not in a 'Residential Single-Family' (RS) zone, as STRs are completely banned in those neighborhoods. If you are in an allowed zone, you need to apply for a $100 annual license from the City and appoint a local 'STR Agent' who can respond to issues 24/7. You are also required to register with the Lafayette Parish School System to pay the local room taxes, which total about 9% when combined with state sales tax.

Fees & costs1 rule

Lafayette charges a registration fee of $100 (annual).

Taxes2 rules

Louisiana has a state sales tax of 5% that applies to STR rentals.
Lafayette charges a Hotel/Motel Tax (Parish/City) of 4%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Note: Platforms may remit state sales tax but hosts are generally responsible for local remittance to the School System.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Lafayette limits STRs to a maximum of 8 guests. Formula: Maximum of four guest rooms, 2 persons per room.
Lafayette limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Lafayette occupancy calculation: Maximum of four guest rooms, 2 persons per room.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Lafayette enforces quiet hours: Typically 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM per general noise ordinance..

Safety requirements1 rule

Lafayette requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Internal sign with 24/7 Agent contact info, Copy of STR license must be posted inside.

Penalties3 rules

Lafayette: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions2 rules

Lafayette exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).
Lafayette: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Lafayette

0/5

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Zoning Eligibility

Consult the Lafayette Planning & Zoning map to ensure your property is in an allowed zone.

1 dayFree

Official resource

Step 2

Gather Documentation

Prepare your site plan, floor plan with evacuation routes, and proof of $500,000 liability insurance.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Liability Insurance Certificate
Floor Plan
Site Plan

Step 3

Submit Application

Submit the Short-Term Rental Application via the Planning & Zoning online portal or in person.

1 day$100

Official resource

Step 4

Schedule Fire Inspection

The Lafayette Fire Department must inspect the property for safety compliance before a permit is issued.

7-14 daysFree

Step 5

Tax Registration

5 daysFree

Official resource

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Verify Zoning Eligibility

Gather Documentation

Submit Application

Schedule Fire Inspection

Tax Registration

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Lafayette?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Lafayette, LA?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Lafayette?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Lafayette?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Lafayette?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Verify Zoning Eligibility

Gather Documentation

Submit Application

Schedule Fire Inspection

Tax Registration

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Lafayette?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Lafayette, LA?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Lafayette?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Lafayette?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Lafayette?

Disclaimer