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Short-term rental rules

Running an Airbnb in New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans permits residential short-term rentals through a restrictive scheme that allows only one permit per city square, allocated by lottery. The city layers several occupancy taxes and per-night fees on top of state and parish sales tax.

9 of 13 fields confirmedLast checked 18 Jul 2026 Lodging tax in New Orleans

The rules

Every field, with its source

Anything not confirmed on an official source shows as Verify with jurisdiction rather than a guess.

Licence or permit required
YesReported

A residential or commercial STR permit is required; renewed annually.

Source
Primary residence required
YesReported

Residential STR permits require the operator to hold a homestead exemption at the property; 2025 changes eliminated prior exemptions.

Source
Annual night cap
Verify with jurisdictionUnverified
Zoning restricted
Yes, limited to certain zonesReported

Only one STR permit is allowed per city square; a lottery decides among competing applications.

Source
Permit number shown on listing
Verify with jurisdictionUnverified
Register or apply
https://nola.gov/str-taxes-and-fees/Reported
Source
Enforcement notes
The City Council tightened rules in 2025 by eliminating exemptions; permits are capped to one per square and allocated by lottery.Reported
Source

Check eligibility

Can you run each type of STR in New Orleans?

A deterministic read of the cited rules for each common use type. When a governing rule is unknown, the verdict says so rather than guessing.

My primary residence (home-share)

Allowed with a permit

Short-term rentals are allowed in New Orleans once you obtain the required licence and follow the rules below.

  • A short-term rental licence or registration is required before you list.
  • Register or apply here: https://nola.gov/str-taxes-and-fees/
  • This city ties short-term rentals to a primary residence. Non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are limited or barred.
  • Short-term rentals are restricted to certain zones. Confirm your property's zoning allows it.
  • The City Council tightened rules in 2025 by eliminating exemptions; permits are capped to one per square and allocated by lottery.

Confidence: high. You live there and rent it while away or rent a room.

A whole second home / investment property

Restricted

In New Orleans, an STR that is not your primary residence is restricted. A home-share of your own residence is the usual path.

  • A short-term rental licence or registration is required before you list.
  • Register or apply here: https://nola.gov/str-taxes-and-fees/
  • This city ties short-term rentals to a primary residence. Non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are limited or barred.
  • Short-term rentals are restricted to certain zones. Confirm your property's zoning allows it.
  • The City Council tightened rules in 2025 by eliminating exemptions; permits are capped to one per square and allocated by lottery.

Confidence: high. A dedicated STR that is not your primary residence.

An ADU, basement or garage unit

Allowed with a permit

Short-term rentals are allowed in New Orleans once you obtain the required licence and follow the rules below.

  • A short-term rental licence or registration is required before you list.
  • Register or apply here: https://nola.gov/str-taxes-and-fees/
  • This city ties short-term rentals to a primary residence. Non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are limited or barred.
  • Short-term rentals are restricted to certain zones. Confirm your property's zoning allows it.
  • The City Council tightened rules in 2025 by eliminating exemptions; permits are capped to one per square and allocated by lottery.

Confidence: high. An accessory dwelling on your property.

Unhosted, whole-unit, no owner on site

Restricted

In New Orleans, an STR that is not your primary residence is restricted. A home-share of your own residence is the usual path.

  • A short-term rental licence or registration is required before you list.
  • Register or apply here: https://nola.gov/str-taxes-and-fees/
  • This city ties short-term rentals to a primary residence. Non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are limited or barred.
  • Short-term rentals are restricted to certain zones. Confirm your property's zoning allows it.
  • The City Council tightened rules in 2025 by eliminating exemptions; permits are capped to one per square and allocated by lottery.

Confidence: high. The strictest category in most cities.

LodgeDeck reports publicly available short-term rental rules and lodging tax rates and cites the source of each field. It is not legal or tax advice and it does not replace your own review. Ordinances and tax rates change often and automated collection can lag, so every field shows the source it came from and a confidence flag, and unconfirmed values are marked Unverified. Confirm with the jurisdiction before you rely on a rule or rate.

FAQ

Common questions about New Orleans

Do I need a licence to run an Airbnb in New Orleans?

Yes. New Orleans requires a short-term rental licence or registration before you list. A residential or commercial STR permit is required; renewed annually.

Does a short-term rental have to be my primary residence in New Orleans?

Yes. New Orleans ties short-term rentals to a primary residence, so non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals are limited or barred. Residential STR permits require the operator to hold a homestead exemption at the property; 2025 changes eliminated prior exemptions.

Is there a night cap on short-term rentals in New Orleans?

No annual night cap is confirmed for New Orleans in our data. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Do I have to show my permit number on the listing in New Orleans?

Not confirmed on an official source for New Orleans. Verify with the jurisdiction before you rely on it.

What lodging tax will my guest pay in New Orleans?

The combined lodging tax for New Orleans is not confirmed as a single figure in our data. See the lodging-tax page for the components we do have.

See the lodging tax a guest pays in New Orleans

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