Airbnb & Short-Term Rental Rules in New Orleans, LA (2026)

New Orleans, LA allows short-term rentals — commonly listed on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO — subject to local regulations that have evolved significantly since 2015. Hosts must register with the city (Non-Commercial or Commercial Short Term Rental Permit) before listing their property. New Orleans regulates STRs to balance tourism revenue with neighborhood quality of life. Key rules cover primary residence requirements, nightly limits, occupancy caps, and tax collection obligations. Hosts who operate without required registration or in violation of city rules face substantial fines. Below are the current registration requirements, rules, platform-specific notes, and penalties for New Orleans.

Statewide Preemption

Registration Requirements

Registration Required: Non-Commercial or Commercial Short Term Rental Permit. Registration fee: varies. Annual renewal: annually. Register through the local building department or local planning department. Your registration number must be displayed on all platform listings. Failure to register before hosting is a violation subject to fines.

Registration Type

Non-Commercial or Commercial Short Term Rental Permit · Verified May 31, 2026 · Source

Registration Fee

$150

Annual Renewal

$150

Operational Rules

No specific operational rules listed for short-term rentals in New Orleans beyond standard property codes.

• •IMPORTANT: New Orleans STR regulations are subject to ongoing legal challenges and City Council amendments — verify current rules before listing
• •Residential STR permits require the property to be the operator's primary residence (owner-occupied requirement applies to most residential zones)
• •Commercial STR permits available only in designated commercial and mixed-use zones
• •Maximum of 1 STR permit per property
• •Residential STRs may rent the entire unit or a portion, subject to primary residence requirement
• •STR operators must display permit number in all listings and on the property
• •Must comply with New Orleans noise ordinance — quiet hours 10pm-7am weekdays, 11pm-9am weekends
• •Occupancy limit: 2 guests per bedroom, maximum of 8 guests total
• •Must provide 24-hour contact number for neighbor complaints
• •Annual safety inspection required for renewal
• •New Orleans collects Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) — platforms collect on qualified rentals

Penalties for Violations

Specific penalty amounts for STR violations in New Orleans are not listed. Contact the local planning department for enforcement information.

• ⚠$500 per day for operating without a permit
• ⚠$500–$2,000 per violation for compliance failures
• ⚠Permit revocation for repeat violations
• ⚠2-year ban from reapplying after permit revocation

Frequently Asked Questions