Short-Term Rental Laws in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Baton Rouge (operating under the Unified Government with East Baton Rouge Parish) requires STR permits with a zoning-based tier system: Owner-occupied STRs are permitted in A1 (Single Family Residential), A2.1 (Limited Residential), A3 (Low Density Multi-Family), and higher-density residential zones via registration. Non-owner-occupied STRs in single-family zones (A1, A2.1) require a Use Permit through Planning; non-owner-occupied STRs are by right in C1 (Light Commercial), C2 (Heavy Commercial), GOH (General Office High), and Mixed Use zones. The LSU football season + Louisiana state legislative session drive concentrated demand cycles.

Owner-occupied: A1, A2.1, A3, A4 residential zones permit by right with registration. Non-owner-occupied: Use Permit required in A1, A2.1 single-family zones; by right in A3, A4 (higher-density residential), C1, C2 (commercial), GOH, and MU (Mixed Use). Use Permit applications evaluated by the Planning Commission against neighborhood-impact criteria. East Baton Rouge Parish unincorporated areas have separate parish-level STR rules.

Operators must hold a short-term rental permit before listing. See the official permit portal.

Baton Rouge Planning Commission administers STR permits + Use Permit applications. Application requires designated 24/7 local responsible-party, life-safety self-certification, parking plan, insurance, and Use Permit (where applicable). Annual renewal. Operating without permit: $500+ per violation + back-tax + tourism-tax assessment + permit revocation.

Combined short-term lodging tax in Baton Rouge is approximately 14.950% of gross nightly revenue (state sales + state TRT + local TRT + applicable resort/city options).

Louisiana State sales 4.45% + East Baton Rouge Parish sales 5% + Baton Rouge city tax + hotel occupancy tax 4% + supplemental tourism tax 1.5% — combined ~14.95% on transient lodging

Verify the current combined rate via the Utah State Tax Commission before remitting — rates drift quarterly.