Can I Airbnb in New Orleans, LA? (2026)

Short-term rentals are legal in New Orleans only with a city STR Owner permit plus a separate Operator permit: residential properties need a Non-Commercial (NSTR) owner permit ($500/yr plus $50 application fee), awarded by quarterly lottery with a hard cap of one NSTR or B&B per city square, and a permitted operator must live on site during every guest stay. STRs are banned in most of the French Quarter and in the Garden District, each owner may hold only one STR permit, and the city has accepted no new Commercial (CSTR) applications since June 8, 2023; since June 2025 platforms like Airbnb must verify a valid city permit before allowing bookings. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.

What’s required: a Non-Commercial Short-Term Rental (NSTR) Owner Permit (residential zones); Commercial Short-Term Rental (CSTR) Owner Permit (commercial/mixed-use zones); plus a separate STR Operator Permit ($500) is required; occupancy taxes apply; renew annual.