Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in St. Martinville?

**No**, there is currently no local STR-specific license required in St. Martinville, though state and county regulations may still apply. You should check with City Hall to see if they require a standard Occupational License for your specific property. Always be mindful of local noise ordinances.

Are short-term rentals allowed in St. Martinville?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are generally allowed in St. Martinville, as the city does not currently have a dedicated ordinance prohibiting or restricting them. However, hosts should be mindful of local noise ordinances and be respectful of neighbors to avoid any potential code enforcement complaints. Always check with the city for updates.

What happens if I operate an illegal STR in St. Martinville?

**Penalties vary** depending on the specific violation, but operating without required licenses or failing to collect and remit taxes can result in fines. Always check with City Hall to see if they require a standard Occupational License for your specific property. Be mindful of local noise ordinances and neighbors.

How much does an STR permit cost in St. Martinville?

**No**, there is currently no local STR-specific permit required in St. Martinville. However, it is important to check with the City Hall to determine if a standard Occupational License is required for your specific property type. You are still legally required to register for a sales tax account with St. Martin Parish.

St. Martinville

Permissive

STRs Allowed

LouisianaLast updated: February 10, 2026

Baseline Verification

80%

Basic verification complete

Verified: Jan 30, 2026

3 Official Sources

Summary

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.

Restriction Level

✅

Permissive

Score: 3 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Reporting required
•No STR-specific permit required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement
•No STR-specific fee

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in the City of St. Martinville, you won't find a specific 'STR permit' to apply for because the city hasn't passed any laws just for vacation rentals. However, you are still legally required to register for a sales tax account with St. Martin Parish to ensure the 4% Hotel/Motel tax is handled. You should also check with City Hall to see if they require a standard Occupational License for your specific property. Since there are no strict city rules yet, always be mindful of local noise ordinances and neighbors to avoid general code enforcement complaints.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

Varies

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Verify your property is within the 'City of St. Martinville' limits and not 'Unincorporated St. Martin Parish'.
2.There is no specific STR ordinance, which means the city could potentially use 'permissive zoning' to argue the use is not allowed if complaints arise.
3.A 4% Hotel/Motel tax applies to all stays under 30 days and must be remitted to the Parish Sales Tax Department.
4.State sales tax (4.45%) and local sales taxes also apply to the total rental price.
5.Short-term rentals are currently unregulated but not explicitly banned, placing them in a 'gray area'.
6.Always check with your Homeowners Association (HOA), as they can prohibit STRs even if the city does not.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(1)

•St. Martinville: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements(11)

•Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in St. Martinville: 1. Verify if your property is within the 'Historic District' as additional design or signage reviews may apply. 2. Operating without an Occupational License carries a stiff $500 fine and immediate shutdown threat. 3. Occupancy tax is remitted to the School Board, not the City Hall directly. 4. The city is 'cashless' as of 2026; only checks or credit cards are accepted for permit fees. 5. Long-term stays (30+ days) are exempt from the 4% Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax. 6. Property must meet 2021 International Residential Code standards even if not explicitly inspected for STR use.

Application Process(8)

•Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in St. Martinville: Step 1: Register with State - Obtain a State Sales Tax Registration Certificate from the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Estimated time: 1-2 weeks. More info: https://revenue.louisiana.gov/SalesTax Step 2: Apply for City Occupational License - Visit the Planning & Zoning Department to apply for a business license under the 'Leasing/Renting' category. Documents needed: Occupational License Application, Copy of ID. Estimated time: 7-14 days. Cost: 50. More info: https://www.stmartinville.gov/planning-and-zoning Step 3: Register with Parish Tax Collector - Create an account with the St. Martin Parish School Board Sales Tax Department to remit occupancy taxes. Documents needed: Sales Tax Application. Estimated time: 3-5 days. More info: https://www.saintmartinschools.org/departments/sales-tax

Fees & Costs(2)

•St. Martinville charges a registration fee of $50 (one_time).
•St. Martinville: The city is 'cashless' as of 2026; only checks or credit cards are accepted for permit fees.

Taxes(3)

•St. Martinville: Occupancy tax is remitted to the School Board, not the City Hall directly.
•St. Martinville charges a Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax of 4%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb collects 4% Parish Hotel/Motel Tax and 5% State Sales Tax. Total tax is 14% (5% State + 5% City Sales + 4% Parish Occupancy).

Limits & Restrictions(1)

•St. Martinville enforces quiet hours: Nuisance ordinance applies (Chapter 8, Article III).

Safety Requirements(1)

•St. Martinville requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, Compliance with 2021 International Residential Code (IRC).

Penalties(3)

•St. Martinville: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
•St. Martinville enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500 citation. Second offense: Immediate shutdown of unauthorized sales/business. Maximum fine: $500. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions(3)

•St. Martinville: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•St. Martinville exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).
•St. Martinville: Long-term stays (30+ days) are exempt from the 4% Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax.

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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

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

Shreveport

Louisiana

Permissive

Shreveport requires all short-term rental operators to obtain an annual permit from the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC) and adhere to zoning-specific use requirements.

Permit required

0.2% total tax

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

St. Martinville

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(1)

Requirements(11)

Application Process(8)

Fees & Costs(2)

Taxes(3)

Limits & Restrictions(1)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(3)

Exemptions(3)

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St. Martinville

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in St. Martinville?

2What is the TOT tax rate in St. Martinville?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in St. Martinville?

4What happens if I operate an illegal STR in St. Martinville?

5How much does an STR permit cost in St. Martinville?

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