Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in New Orleans?

**Yes**, New Orleans requires a Short-Term Rental License. You need either a Residential (RSTR-O), Commercial (CSTR), or Guest Suite permit. The RSTR-O permit is limited to one per square block via lottery. Ensure you meet all eligibility criteria before applying to avoid penalties. *(52 words)*

What is the TOT tax rate in New Orleans?

**5% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in New Orleans. You need to collect this tax from guests and remit it to the city. Airbnb and VRBO may automatically collect a portion of this tax in certain jurisdictions, so you must verify. *(49 words)*

Are short-term rentals allowed in New Orleans?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in New Orleans, but with significant restrictions. Residential STRs are limited to one per square block and require the owner to be a local resident. Commercial STRs are allowed in many mixed-use zones, but carry higher annual fees. Always verify zoning. *(50 words)*

Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in New Orleans?

**Yes**, you need to live in the property to rent it on Airbnb in New Orleans if you are in a residential zone. This is because the city only allows residential STRs to operate as primary residences, and only one per square block is allowed. This is enforced via a lottery system. *(54 words)*

Can renters host on Airbnb in New Orleans?

**No**, renters cannot host on Airbnb in New Orleans. The city requires that the property owner be a local resident and obtain the permit. Tenants are not eligible to apply for a short-term rental license, thus preventing them from legally operating an Airbnb. *(45 words)*

New Orleans

Prohibited

STRs Allowed

LouisianaLast updated: February 10, 2026

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Forensically verified with 3+ official sources

Verified: Jan 30, 2026

5 Official Sources

Summary

New Orleans has some of the strictest STR regulations in the U.S., following a 2023 overhaul. Residential STRs are limited to one per square block via a lottery system and require the owner to be a local resident. Commercial STRs are allowed in many mixed-use zones but carry higher annual fees.

Restriction Level

🚫

Prohibited

Score: 100 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Primary residence required
•Owner-occupied required
•High permit fee: $500
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in New Orleans, you must first determine if you are in a Residential or Commercial zone. If you are in a Residential zone, you can only rent out your primary home, and you must win a 'lottery' because the city only allows one permit per square block. You must register to vote at the address to prove you live there. Once you have a permit, you must display the number on your listing and pay a nightly fee to the city on top of standard taxes.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$500

Processing Time

30-60 days

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Verify your Exact Jurisdiction: Rules apply to the City of New Orleans (Orleans Parish).
2.One Per Block Rule: Residential permits are capped at one per square block; if someone else has one, you cannot get one.
3.Natural Person Requirement: You cannot hold a Residential STR permit in an LLC or Corporate name.
4.Voter Registration: The city checks voter registration records to verify primary residency for RSTR-O permits.
5.French Quarter Ban: Stays under 30 days are strictly prohibited in most of the French Quarter (except VCC-2).
6.Nightly Fees: There is a mandatory $5 to $12 per night 'Equalization Fee' depending on the permit type.
7.Platform Remittance: While Airbnb collects the 5% tax, they do NOT always collect the nightly equalization fees or the $1 occupancy fee; hosts must remit these manually.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(12)

•New Orleans: Corporate ownership (LLCs) is generally prohibited for residential STR owner permits.
•New Orleans: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements(18)

•New Orleans: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.
•New Orleans: Short-term rentals are strictly BANNED in most of the French Quarter (Vieux Carré).
•New Orleans: Hosts must report their rental activity monthly to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.

Application Process(9)

•Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in New Orleans: Step 1: Verification of Eligibility - Confirm property has a Homestead Exemption and is not in a prohibited zone (e.g., French Quarter). Documents needed: Homestead Exemption proof. Estimated time: 1 week. More info: https://nola.gov/short-term-rental-administration/overview/ Step 2: Complete STR Owner Training - Attend the mandatory NSTR required lottery training via Microsoft Teams. Estimated time: 1 day. More info: https://nola.gov/short-term-rental-administration/permits-licenses/ Step 3: Submit Application via One Stop App - Submit floor plans, evacuation plans, and noise abatement plans during the open application window. Documents needed: Floor plan, Noise plan, Sanitation plan. Estimated time: 30 days. Cost: 250. More info: https://onestopapp.nola.gov/ Step 4: Enter the STR Lottery - If more than one owner per square block applies, a lottery determines the single permit winner. Estimated time: Varies.

Fees & Costs(1)

•New Orleans charges a registration fee of $250 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $500 ($250 for NSTR; $500 for CSTR. Operator permits (OSTR) are $150-$200.).

Taxes(4)

•New Orleans: Even if platforms collect your taxes, you are still required to file monthly tax returns with the city.
•New Orleans charges a Occupancy Tax + Gross Rental Tax of 11.75%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Note: 6.75% Occupancy + 5% Gross Rental + nightly fee

Limits & Restrictions(10)

•New Orleans limits STRs to a maximum of 6 guests. Formula: 2 per bedroom (Max 6)
•New Orleans occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom (Max 6). Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•New Orleans occupancy calculation: 2 guests per bedroom, up to 6 total for NSTR; 10 for CSTR.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety Requirements(1)

•New Orleans requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Noise monitoring device (required for CSTR), Compliance with International Property Maintenance Code, Posted evacuation plan.

Penalties(2)

•New Orleans enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500 per day. Second offense: Suspension of license. Third offense: Revocation of license. Daily fine: $500. Maximum fine: $15,000. Permit may be revoked for violations.
•New Orleans: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(3)

•New Orleans: You MUST have a Homestead Exemption; without it, you are ineligible for a residential STR permit.
•New Orleans: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•New Orleans exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched 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.

Other Louisiana Markets

Ruston

Louisiana

Permissive

The City of Ruston has no specific short-term rental ordinance; however, operators must comply with general business licensing, zoning, and tax requirements.

0.1% total tax

Breaux Bridge

Louisiana

Permissive

The City of Breaux Bridge does not currently have a dedicated short-term rental ordinance. As of 2024, STRs are unregulated at the municipal level but must comply with general occupational licensing and St. Martin Parish occupancy tax requirements (4%).

0.1% total tax

Baton Rouge

Louisiana

Moderate

Short-term rentals in Baton Rouge require registration and adherence to specific occupancy, parking, and insurance standards under Ordinance 16370.

Permit required

0.2% total tax

St. Martinville

Louisiana

Permissive

St. Martinville currently has no dedicated short-term rental ordinance. While the city does not have a specific permit system, hosts are generally expected to comply with Parish-level tax requirements and general city business licensing.

New Orleans

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(12)

Requirements(18)

Application Process(9)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(4)

Limits & Restrictions(10)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(2)

Exemptions(3)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other Louisiana Markets

Ruston

Breaux Bridge

Baton Rouge

St. Martinville

New Orleans

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in New Orleans?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in New Orleans?

4Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in New Orleans?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in New Orleans?

Related Content

Other Louisiana Markets

Ruston

Breaux Bridge

Baton Rouge

St. Martinville