Regulatory Overview
State STR LicenseNot Required
State Preemption LawNo
Permit RequiredLocal Level Only
Owner-Occupied RequiredNo
Last Verified2026-02
Official source: https://www.nola.gov/safety-and-permits/short-term-rentals/
Tax Breakdown
4.45%
State Sales Tax
4.45%
Lodging / TOT
Est. Total Tax Burden~16.45%
Total is an estimate. Local taxes, county surcharges, and platform fees vary. Always verify with your local tax authority.
Key Rule Summary
No state STR license. New Orleans has some of the strictest rules in the South: STR permit required, non-commercial areas require owner-occupancy, commercial districts have caps. Outside New Orleans, generally permissive.
Major City Rules
3 cities tracked
New Orleans
Highly Restricted
Two-tier permit system: commercial (no owner-occupancy req) vs non-commercial (owner must be present). Residential zones near-banned. $500-$1000 permit fees.
Baton Rouge
Host Friendly
No STR-specific ordinance
Lafayette
Host Friendly
Business license, state tax
Housing Market Data — US Census ACS
ACS 5-Year 2022
2,080,371
Total Housing Units
15.1%
Vacancy Rate
67.2%
Owner-Occupied
32.8%
Renter-Occupied
54,255
Seasonal/Vacation Units
2.6%
Seasonal Unit %
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · Seasonal/vacation units are a proxy for STR-receptive housing stock.