State Airbnb laws2026 22 sources cited
Louisiana Short-Term Rental Laws & Hotel Tax (2026)
Short-term rentals are legal in Louisiana where the city or parish allows them. Permits are local (New Orleans $500 plus $150, Baton Rouge $100) and every stay carries the 5% state sales tax, which Airbnb collects.11,12,15,16,17,18,19,22
From 19 official sources and 3 Airbnb help pages. Not legal advice.
The short answer
Louisiana Airbnb Laws in Brief
- Permits come from the city or parish: New Orleans $500 owner plus $150 operator, Baton Rouge $100, Lafayette $100, Jefferson Parish $750 a year.
- Lafayette bans short-term rentals in single-family (RS-1) zones and Jefferson Parish prohibits them in single-use residential districts; New Orleans non-commercial operators must live on the property during stays.
- State sales tax is 5% on every stay, collected by Airbnb; local sales tax (3.25% to 7.92%) and parish occupancy tax (1% to 12%) are added.
- New Orleans fines reach $1,000 per violation; Baton Rouge bars a rental for one year after three adjudicated violations in a calendar year.
At a glance
Louisiana Short-Term Rental Laws at a Glance
- State license required
- Yes
- Latest rule change
- Jan 1, 2026
The laws in brief
The rules a Louisiana host meets first, each linked to the ordinance, statute or official page it comes from. Details and exceptions follow below.
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Permit | Permits and zoning are set locally11,15,17,18,19,20 |
| Who can host | New Orleans: non-commercial operator lives on site11 |
| Where | Lafayette: no rentals in RS-1 single-family zones17 |
| Guests | New Orleans: up to 3 bedrooms and 6 guests12 |
| Listing display | New Orleans: permit numbers in the listing11,12 |
| Platforms | Booking platforms collect the state sales tax1,6 |
| Safety | New Orleans: fire extinguisher, smoke and CO alarms12 |
| Neighbors | Lafayette: notify neighbors, name a 24/7 contact17 |
Your home
Can You Host an Airbnb in Louisiana? It Depends on the Home
Whether you can host in Louisiana turns on whose home it is and whether you live there.
Your own home, rented whole while you're away
Allowed with conditionsBaton Rouge allows it with a $100 non-owner-occupied permit. New Orleans non-commercial permits require the operator to live at the property during stays, Lafayette bars it in RS-1 zones, and Jefferson Parish requires a primary residence outside single-use residential districts.11,15,16,17,19
A second home or investment property you don't live in
Allowed with conditionsPossible where the city issues a permit for non-owner-occupied rentals: Baton Rouge ($100) and Shreveport (Type B-1, $250). New Orleans non-commercial permits need an on-site operator and Jefferson Parish requires primary-residence documentation.11,15,16,18,19
Permit
Do You Need a License for Airbnb in Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana hosts need the Local short-term rental permit or license from the City or parish: for example the New Orleans Short Term Rental Administration, the Baton Rouge Permits and Inspections Division, the Lafayette Community Development and Planning Department, the Shreveport-Caddo Metropolitan Planning Commission or Jefferson Parish Code Compliance. It costs $500.11,12,15,16,17,18,19,22
- Who needs it
- Hosts in places that require one: every New Orleans short-term rental, non-owner-occupied rentals in Baton Rouge, every Lafayette rental, every Shreveport rental and every Jefferson Parish rental.11,12,15,16,17,18,19,22
- Issued by
- City or parish: for example the New Orleans Short Term Rental Administration, the Baton Rouge Permits and Inspections Division, the Lafayette Community Development and Planning Department, the Shreveport-Caddo Metropolitan Planning Commission or Jefferson Parish Code Compliance
- Valid for
- Set locally: New Orleans non-commercial permits run to June 30 (the current term ends June 30, 2027), Lafayette licenses expire each December 31, Baton Rouge permits stay valid until the rental stops operating for one year, and Jefferson Parish licenses renew every year.
- On listings
- The number must appear on every listing
- Platform checks
- Airbnb asks New Orleans hosts to enter both the owner permit and the operator permit on the listing; the other markets rely on city enforcement.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| New Orleans non-commercial owner permit (NSTR)Owner permit fee for a non-commercial short-term rental, in addition to the $50 application fee; the permit term runs to June 30. | $500 |
| New Orleans operator permit (single non-commercial unit)Operator permit for one non-commercial unit, plus the $50 application fee. | $150 |
| Baton Rouge non-owner-occupied permitValid unless the rental stops operating for one year; owner-occupied rentals need no permit. | $100 |
| Lafayette short-term rental licenseNew and renewal applications both cost $100; the license expires December 31 of each year. | $100 |
| Shreveport Type A permit (rooms and accessory units)Non-refundable; Type B (whole home) is $250, a Special Exception Use is $350 and renewal is $100. | $150 |
| Jefferson Parish lodging license processing feeDue with the lodging license application and again every year while the rental operates. | $750 |
Who qualifies
- New Orleans: the unit needs both an owner permit and an operator permit, and a non-commercial operator must live at the property during guest stays
- Baton Rouge: owner-occupied homes with a homestead exemption need no permit; other homes need a non-owner-occupied permit
- Lafayette: not allowed in RS-1 (single-family) residential zoning districts
- Jefferson Parish (including Metairie): not allowed in single-use residential zoning districts, and the home must be the applicant's primary residence
- Shreveport: Type A for rooms, Type B-1 for whole homes; Type B-2 needs a Special Exception Use approval
How to apply
- Check zoning and building eligibility with the city or parish planning office before applying.
- Apply to the local office: the New Orleans One Stop App, Baton Rouge MyGovernmentOnline, the Shreveport online portal, Lafayette Community Development and Planning, or Jefferson Parish MyGovernmentOnline.
- Register to remit sales, use and occupancy tax (Baton Rouge and Lafayette ask for proof with the application), or list only through a platform that remits them.
- Show the permit number in each listing where the city requires it (New Orleans and Shreveport do).
Permit rules
- Permits and zoning are set locally
- A host checks the city or parish before listing: New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Shreveport and Jefferson Parish each run their own permit or license system, and Airbnb tells hosts to look up the permitting, zoning, safety and health rules that apply.11,15,17,18,19,20
- New Orleans: owner permit and operator permit
- Every short-term rental unit in Orleans Parish needs both an owner permit and an operator permit; an owner may act as their own operator.11,14 Applies to: New Orleans
- New Orleans: $500 owner permit, $150 operator permit
- A non-commercial owner permit costs $500 and the operator permit $150, with a $50 non-refundable application fee for each owner and operator application.12 Applies to: New Orleans
- New Orleans: permit numbers in the listing
- Each New Orleans listing must show the owner permit number, the operator permit number, the permitted bedrooms and the maximum occupancy.11,12 Applies to: New Orleans
- Baton Rouge: $100 non-owner-occupied permit
- A non-owner-occupied rental in Baton Rouge needs a $100 permit from the Permits and Inspections Division, valid until the rental stops operating for one year.15,16 Applies to: Baton Rouge
- Lafayette: $100 license, renewed each year
- A Lafayette license costs $100 for a new application and $100 to renew, and it expires on December 31 of each calendar year.17 Applies to: Lafayette
- Jefferson Parish: $750 yearly lodging license fee
- The Jefferson Parish lodging license carries a $750 processing fee, paid with the application and every year, plus a background check and an interior inspection.19 Applies to: Jefferson Parish
- Shreveport: permit before operating
- Shreveport requires a short-term rental permit before any Airbnb or Vrbo operates, in three types: A for rooms, B-1 for whole homes and B-2 for homes near another rental or above ten adults.18 Applies to: Shreveport
- Shreveport: permit number on every ad
- Shreveport hosts display a copy of the permit on the property and show the permit number on all online advertisements.18 Applies to: Shreveport
- Booking platforms collect the state sales tax
- Since July 1, 2025, accommodations intermediaries such as Airbnb count as marketplace facilitators and must collect and remit the state sales tax on stays they book.1,6 In force since July 1, 2025
- Platforms also remit hotel and motel occupancy taxes
- From January 1, 2026, an accommodations intermediary that remits sales tax as a marketplace facilitator also remits hotel and motel occupancy taxes to the Louisiana Sales and Use Tax Commission for Remote Sellers.1,6 In force since January 1, 2026
- New Orleans: platforms itemize taxes and fees
- Since January 1, 2026, a platform booking a New Orleans short-term rental must show the guest a line-by-line list of all assessments, fees and taxes on its website and on the final bill.2 Applies to: New Orleans · In force since January 1, 2026
Who can host
What Louisiana Cities and Counties Can and Can't Regulate
- New Orleans: non-commercial operator lives on site
- For a non-commercial permit (NSTR), the operator must live at the property while guests stay, and must be reachable by phone and able to reach the unit within one hour.11 Applies to: New Orleans
- New Orleans: one non-commercial permit per square, by lottery
- New Orleans allows at most one non-commercial permit or bed and breakfast per city square; where several owners apply in the same quarterly window, a lottery decides.13,22 Applies to: New Orleans · In force since July 1, 2023
- Baton Rouge: owner-occupied rentals need no permit
- In Baton Rouge an owner who lives in the home with a homestead exemption, and is present during the stay, needs no permit and may rent one bedroom fewer than the total; any other rental needs a non-owner-occupied permit.15,16 Applies to: Baton Rouge
- Lafayette: no rentals in RS-1 single-family zones
- The City of Lafayette does not allow short-term rentals in RS-1 (single-family) residential zoning districts; they remain possible in other districts with a license.17 Applies to: Lafayette
- Jefferson Parish: not allowed in single-use residential districts
- Jefferson Parish, which includes Metairie and Grand Isle, prohibits short-term rental in single-use residential zoning districts and treats it as lodging in mixed-use and commercial areas.19 Applies to: Jefferson Parish
- Jefferson Parish: primary residence documentation
- A Jefferson Parish applicant provides documentation that the unit is their primary residence, for example a homestead exemption, before the parish issues the lodging license.19 Applies to: Jefferson Parish
- Shreveport: 500-foot spacing and ten-adult limit
- A Shreveport rental within 500 feet of another registered rental, or for more than ten adults, may need Special Exception Use approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals.18 Applies to: Shreveport
Local rules
Local Rules in Louisiana's 5 Largest Airbnb Markets
A state license doesn't replace local rules. Cities and counties still set registration, occupancy, parking and safety requirements. These are Louisiana's largest markets by active Airbnb listings, with the share of each market's listings that display a registration or license number.
1. New Orleans
Orleans Parish
New Orleans requires every short-term rental unit to hold an owner permit and an operator permit. A non-commercial owner permit costs $500 and the operator permit $150, permits are limited to one per city square and allocated by lottery, and the operator must live at the property during stays. Fines run to $1,000 per violation.10,11,12,13,22
- Owner permit and operator permit for every unit; $50 application fee for each
- Non-commercial owner permit $500, operator permit $150; permit term runs to June 30
- At most one non-commercial permit or bed and breakfast per square, by quarterly lottery
- Non-commercial operator must reside at the property during guest stays
2. Baton Rouge
East Baton Rouge Parish
Baton Rouge treats owner-occupied rentals and other rentals differently. An owner who lives in the home with a homestead exemption needs no permit, while any other rental needs a $100 non-owner-occupied permit, and the parish hotel and motel occupancy tax is 6%.15,16,21
- Owner-occupied with a homestead exemption and the owner present: no permit
- Non-owner-occupied rental: $100 permit, valid until the rental stops operating for one year
- Occupancy of two people per bedroom plus two; one parking space per bedroom rented
- Register to remit sales, use and occupancy tax, or use a registered platform
3. Lafayette
Lafayette Parish
The City of Lafayette requires a $100 short-term rental license that expires each December 31, and prohibits short-term rentals in RS-1 single-family zoning districts. Applicants notify adjacent owners, register for sales tax and name a local contact available around the clock.17,21
- License $100 for a new application and $100 to renew; expires December 31
- Not allowed in RS-1 (single-family) residential zoning districts
- Notice to adjacent property owners and a sales tax registration certificate with the application
- Local contact person available 24/7
4. Shreveport
Caddo Parish
Shreveport requires a short-term rental permit in three types: A for rooms and accessory units ($150), B-1 for whole homes ($250) and B-2 for homes within 500 feet of another rental or above ten adults, which also need a $350 Special Exception Use approval. The permit number must appear on every online advertisement.18
- Permit before operating: Type A $150, Type B $250, Special Exception Use $350, renewal $100
- 500-foot spacing from another registered rental and a ten-adult limit for Type B-1
- Application includes an occupational license, proof of ownership or owner's letter, and proof of insurance
- Permit number shown on all online advertisements
5. Metairie
Jefferson Parish
Metairie is in unincorporated Jefferson Parish, which prohibits short-term rentals in single-use residential zoning districts and licenses them as lodging in mixed-use and commercial areas. The lodging license costs $750 a year and requires primary-residence documentation, a background check and an interior inspection.19
- Prohibited in single-use residential zoning districts; lodging license required elsewhere
- Zoning clearance and primary-residence documentation such as a homestead exemption
- Lodging license processing fee $750, due every year
- Occupational license from the Sheriff's Office, background check and interior inspection
Taxes
Louisiana Short-Term Rental Taxes
The 5% state sales tax applies to every stay and local taxes are added on top. In New Orleans the percentage taxes Airbnb lists add up to 16.75% (5% state, 5% city sales tax, 6.75% occupancy tax), plus $12 a night in occupancy fee and $0.50 a night in privilege tax.
| Tax | Rate | Collected by |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana state sales tax on room rentals 5% of the listing price, including the cleaning fee and guest fees | 5%5,6,21 | Airbnb |
| Local sales tax 3.25% to 7.92% of the listing price, set by the parish and city | —21 | Airbnb |
| Parish hotel and occupancy tax 1% to 12% depending on the parish; for example East Baton Rouge 6%, Caddo 6%, Calcasieu 5% to 7%, Lafayette 4% and Ouachita 2% | —21 | Airbnb |
| New Orleans short-term rental occupancy tax 6.75% of the listing price for stays of 29 nights or fewer | 6.75%3,10,21 | Airbnb |
| New Orleans city sales tax 5% of the listing price for stays of 59 nights or fewer | 5%10,21 | Airbnb |
| New Orleans short-term rental occupancy fee $12 per night rented for every short-term rental; the City Council adopted an increase to $20 per night on October 15, 2026 | $12 a night4,21 | Airbnb |
| New Orleans hotel occupancy privilege tax $0.50 per night for properties with 1 to 299 rooms | $0.50 a night10,21 | Airbnb |
What the host still handles
- A local sales, use and occupancy tax registration where the booking does not go through a platform that remits (Baton Rouge asks for proof of registration or of an online platform registration with the permit application)
- A local occupational license, which the Baton Rouge and Shreveport permit processes tie to the rental
- A Louisiana sales tax registration certificate for a Lafayette license application
- In Jefferson Parish, an occupational license from the Sheriff's Office and the parish lodging license1,5,6,10,21
Operating rules
Operating Rules for Louisiana Short-Term Rentals
- New Orleans: up to 3 bedrooms and 6 guests
- A non-commercial New Orleans permit covers at most 3 bedrooms and 6 guests, with no more than 2 guests per bedroom.12 Applies to: New Orleans
- New Orleans: fire extinguisher, smoke and CO alarms
- Every New Orleans short-term rental needs a working fire extinguisher, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and must comply with the fire codes.12 Applies to: New Orleans
- Baton Rouge: two guests per bedroom plus two
- Total occupancy of a Baton Rouge short-term rental is two people per bedroom plus two additional people, with one parking space for each bedroom rented.15,16 Applies to: Baton Rouge
- Lafayette: notify neighbors, name a 24/7 contact
- A Lafayette application includes proof of notice to adjacent property owners, a sales tax registration certificate and a local contact person who is available around the clock.17 Applies to: Lafayette
- 5% state sales tax on every stay
- The state sales tax is 5% of the listing price, including the cleaning fee and guest fees, on every Louisiana reservation; the rate has been 5% since January 1, 2025 and is set through December 31, 2029.5,21 In force since January 1, 2025
- Stadium and exhibition hall taxes skip small rentals
- The domed stadium and New Orleans exhibition hall room taxes do not apply to properties with 9 or fewer rooms, which covers a typical short-term rental in Orleans and Jefferson Parishes.6 Applies to: Orleans and Jefferson Parishes
Fines
How to Avoid Airbnb Fines in Louisiana
Fines in Louisiana fall on hosting without the approvals described above, or outside the rules. With them in hand and the rules followed, none of the fines below apply.
- New Orleans: fines at an adjudication hearing are capped at $1,000 for each violation cited in a violation case, and a hearing officer can also revoke an owner or operator permit.10,14
- Baton Rouge: a short-term rental loses the ability to operate for one year after three violations are reported and adjudicated in one calendar year.15,16
- Jefferson Parish: a lodging operator without a timely license or renewal is cited by Code Compliance and Enforcement, with possible fines and penalties.19
Changes
What's Changed in Louisiana's Airbnb Rules
No change was scheduled when the rules were checked on October 17, 2026; the most recent are listed first.
- January 1, 2026Platforms remit occupancy taxes; New Orleans itemized billing
Accommodations intermediaries also remit hotel and motel occupancy taxes to the Louisiana Sales and Use Tax Commission for Remote Sellers, and platforms booking New Orleans short-term rentals must itemize assessments, fees and taxes under Act 387.1,2
- October 24, 2025Revenue Department guidance on separate reporting
Revenue Information Bulletin 25-026 explains how to report state sales tax and state-administered occupancy taxes when a platform reports the sales tax and forwards occupancy taxes to the property owner, pending the Commission's system update.6
- July 1, 2025
- May 27, 2025 LapsedSenate passes a state right to sue over unlicensed rentals; House does not act
Senate Bill 225 of 2025, which would have created a cause of action over short-term rentals operating without a required license, passed the Senate 29 to 7 on May 27, 2025 and was referred to a House committee on May 29, 2025 without a House vote.7
- April 14, 2025 LapsedState bill on local short-term rental regulation stays in committee
House Bill 469 of 2025, which addressed regulation of short-term rentals, was referred to the House Commerce Committee on April 14, 2025 and went no further.8
- January 1, 2025State sales tax on room rentals rises to 5%
The state sales tax on room rentals outside Orleans and Jefferson Parishes rose from 4.45% to 5%, a rate set through December 31, 2029.5
- May 22, 2024 LapsedState bill to fine platforms for non-compliant listings stalls
House Bill 518 of 2024, which would have set civil penalties for platforms booking rentals that break local ordinances, passed the House 70 to 28 on May 22, 2024 and stayed in a Senate committee.9
Earnings
What Could a Short-Term Rental in Louisiana Earn?
The rules shape the numbers: a permit that costs $500 a year. For a specific address, the Airbnb income calculator estimates revenue, occupancy and nightly rate from comparable listings, so you can test the numbers before applying.
FAQ
Louisiana Short-Term Rental Laws: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Airbnb legal in Louisiana?
Do I need a permit for Airbnb in Louisiana?
How much is a short-term rental license in Louisiana?
Can I rent a home I don't live in?
Can I list a single-family home in Lafayette or Metairie?
Does Airbnb collect hotel or occupancy tax in Louisiana?
What is the total lodging tax on an Airbnb stay in Louisiana?
What is the fine for an illegal short-term rental?
Do I need to show my permit number on my listing?
How many guests can stay?
Does Airbnb show taxes separately for New Orleans stays?
Yes. Since January 1, 2026 a platform booking a New Orleans short-term rental must give the guest a line-by-line itemization of all assessments, fees and taxes on its website and on the final bill.2
Do I still have to register for taxes if I host through Airbnb?
Airbnb collects the taxes it lists, but hosts remain responsible for the other tax obligations. Baton Rouge asks owners to register to remit sales, use and occupancy taxes or to use a registered online platform, and Lafayette asks for a sales tax registration certificate with the license application.15,17,21
Method
How These Rules Were Checked
Each rule on this page was checked in October 2026 against the official source cited beside it: the ordinance or statute, the permit office's own pages and the tax authority. Airbnb's help pages are cited on their own only for what Airbnb itself does, such as the taxes it collects and the permit checks it runs, and otherwise only beside an official source; news reports only for when a change was announced. Rules that could not be confirmed on an official page are left out. The Jefferson Parish page was read from an Internet Archive copy (22 March 2026) and the Shreveport-Caddo MPC page was read in a browser.
Rules change with council votes, court rulings and new state laws, so the page is rechecked every three months and whenever a scheduled change takes effect. It summarizes the rules for information and is not legal advice; the state agency and your city or county has the final word on any application.
Sources
Sources
Each rule above links to the source it comes from. Official ordinances, statutes and government pages come first, then Airbnb's own help pages.
- 1. R.S. 47:340.1 - Marketplace facilitators; collection and remittance of state and local sales and use tax · Louisiana State Legislature
- 2. Act 387 of the 2025 Regular Session (House Bill 610) · Louisiana State Legislature
- 3. R.S. 47:338.221 - City of New Orleans; short-term rental occupancy tax · Louisiana State Legislature
- 4. Code of Ordinances, Chapter 26, Article XI - Standards for Short-Term Rentals (Sec. 26-616 permit fees) · City of New Orleans (Municode Library)
- 5. What is the state sales tax rate for sleeping rooms, hotel rooms, motel rooms, and similar accommodations? · Louisiana Department of Revenue
- 6. Revenue Information Bulletin 25-026: Room Rentals Using Accommodations Intermediaries · Louisiana Department of Revenue
- 7. Senate Bill 225 (2025 Regular Session): cause of action for operation of short-term rentals · Louisiana State Legislature
- 8. House Bill 469 (2025 Regular Session): regulations for short-term rentals · Louisiana State Legislature
- 9. House Bill 518 (2024 Regular Session): civil penalties against platforms booking non-compliant short-term rentals · Louisiana State Legislature
- 10. STR Taxes, Fees, and Fine · City of New Orleans Short Term Rental Administration
- 11. STR Operator's Permit · City of New Orleans Short Term Rental Administration
- 12. Non-Commercial Short-Term Rental Renewal Application Training · City of New Orleans Department of Safety and Permits
- 13. Short Term Rental Permit Lotteries · City of New Orleans Short Term Rental Administration
- 14. Overview of Short Term Rentals in New Orleans · City of New Orleans Short Term Rental Administration
- 15. Short Term Rental Registration · City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge
- 16. Short-Term Rental Permits (information sheet) · City of Baton Rouge Permits and Inspections Division
- 17. Short-Term Rental License Application (City of Lafayette Only) · Lafayette Consolidated Government Community Development and Planning
- 18. Short-Term Rental: City of Shreveport · Shreveport-Caddo Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission
- 19. Hotel / Motel / Short Term Rental Permits and Licenses · Jefferson Parish Code Compliance and Enforcement Services
- 20. Responsible hosting in the United States · Airbnb Help Center
- 21. Occupancy tax collection and remittance by Airbnb in Louisiana · Airbnb Help Center
- 22. New Orleans, LA: hosting responsibly · Airbnb Help Center