Louisiana · Short-Term Rental Compliance
New Orleans Short-Term Rental Permit Guide
New Orleans rewrote its STR ordinance in 2023 after a federal lawsuit. Residential STRs now require a natural-person operator (no LLCs), one permit per square block (lottery in oversubscribed areas), and on-site presence during rental periods. Commercial STRs (CBD, Marigny commercial frontages) are allowed without the residency requirement. Hosts must remit a combined ~16.45% in state, parish, NOLA hotel-motel, and tourism support taxes plus a $1/night Neighborhood Housing Improvement Fund fee.
⚠ This summary is preliminary — we’re still verifying it against the current New Orleans ordinance. Treat every line as a starting point and confirm with the city before filing or accepting bookings.
Informational only — not legal advice. Our information can be wrong or out of date. Always confirm with New Orleans directly before applying, paying, or accepting bookings. We do not file applications or returns on your behalf.
What the city requires
Requirements checklist
- 1Residential STR permit$500/yr. Available only to natural persons (LLCs/corporations ineligible for residential). One STR per applicant. One permit per square block in residential zones — lottery system if oversubscribed.
- 2On-site owner presence ruleResidential STRs require the permit holder to physically reside at the property during rental periods. Property managers and remote owners do not satisfy this.
- 3Commercial STR permit$500/yr base + escalating per-unit fee. Available in CBD, French Quarter buffer, and certain Marigny/Bywater commercial frontage zones. No residency requirement.
- 4Combined occupancy tax + fees4.45% LA state + 5% Orleans Parish + 6.75% NOLA hotel-motel + 0.25% NOTMC = 16.45% combined, plus $1/night Neighborhood Housing Improvement Fund fee. Airbnb collects most; NHIF fee usually owed direct.
- 5Zoning + French Quarter banSTRs prohibited in the Vieux Carré (French Quarter) outside specific exempt parcels. Garden District and other historic-residential zones face additional density caps.
2023 ordinance overhaul is being aggressively enforced — the city's STR Administration unit pulls Airbnb data weekly. Residential permits in oversubscribed blocks are decided by lottery; reapplication after denial requires waiting for the next cycle.
Official filing portal: https://nola.gov/short-term-rentals/
Other jurisdictions
Operating in more than one city?
- GAAtlantaShort-Term Rental License (STRL) — Type 1 (owner present) / Type 2 (whole-home with on-site owner)
- TXAustinShort-Term Rental Operating License (Type 1 / Type 2 / Type 3)
- CODenverShort-Term Rental Business License (primary residence only) + Lodger's Tax License
- NVLas VegasShort-Term Rental Business License + Conditional Use Verification
- FLMiamiCertificate of Use (Vacation Rental) + Florida DBPR Vacation Rental License
- FLMiami BeachBusiness Tax Receipt + Resort Tax Registration (STR-eligible zones only)
- TNNashvilleShort-Term Rental Property (STRP) Permit — Type 1 (owner-occupied) / Type 2 (non-owner-occupied)
- FLOrlandoHome Share Registration (city) + Florida DBPR Vacation Rental License
- AZScottsdaleVacation Rental / Short-Term Rental License