Short-Term Rental Laws in New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans operates a strict residential prohibition framework: Type A (Owner-Occupied) STRs allowed in most residential zones with primary-residence test; Type B (Commercial Hotel Substitute) restricted to specific commercial/mixed-use zones AND requires Conditional Use Permit (CUP) approval with public hearing. The famous French Quarter (VCC overlay) categorically prohibits STR. Marigny + Bywater residential zones have additional density limits. The 2023 ordinance update (post a 2022 federal court case overturning earlier prohibitions) is the binding text — much stricter than pre-2023 New Orleans STR rules.

Type A (Owner-Occupied) allowed in HU-RD1/2, HU-RM1/2, S-RM, and most residential zones with primary-residence verification. Type B (Commercial) restricted to HMC-2, HU-MU, HU-B1A/B, HU-B2/B3/B4, MU-1, MU-2, S-LM, and CBD commercial zones — also requires CUP with public hearing. French Quarter (VCC-1, VCC-2) and parts of Marigny + Bywater (HMR-2/3) categorically prohibit STR. Confirm parcel-specific zoning AND any overlay district before any acquisition.

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

STRs are limited to the operator's primary residence.

New Orleans Department of Safety and Permits administers the program with annual renewal. Primary-residence verification required annually for Type A. CUP renewal for Type B requires re-petition with neighborhood notice. Operating without permit: $500-$2,000 first violation + escalating + back Hotel Occupancy Tax. NOLA's STR enforcement is among the most active in the US Gulf Coast — platform-data integration + complaint hotline + Code Enforcement field inspections.

Combined short-term lodging tax in New Orleans is approximately 17.450% of gross nightly revenue (state sales + state TRT + local TRT + applicable resort/city options).

Louisiana State sales tax 4.45% + Orleans Parish + New Orleans city sales tax 5% + Hotel Occupancy Tax 6.75% + Tourism marketing assessment — combined ~17.45% on transient lodging

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