New Orleans vs Orlando: Short-Term Rental Rules Compared (2026)
New Orleans is currently "restricted" while Orlando is "primary residence only". The bigger difference is eligibility: Orlando restricts rentals to the host's own residence, while New Orleans permits dedicated rentals. On cost, Orlando is the cheaper market to license ($275 vs $500). Full verified details for both markets below — always confirm current requirements with each jurisdiction.
Side by side
| Rule | New Orleans, LA | Orlando, FL |
|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Restricted | Primary residence only |
| Permit required | Yes | Yes |
| Permit name | 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 | Home Sharing Registration |
| Permit fee | $500 | $275 |
| Renewal | Annual | Annual |
| Primary residence only | No | Yes |
| Owner occupancy required | No | Yes |
| Night cap / year | None found | None found |
| Minimum stay | None found | None found |
| Total occupancy taxes | ~16.75% | ~12.5% |
| Last verified | July 10, 2026 | July 10, 2026 |
Compare guest tax loads
Switch between the two markets to see itemized occupancy taxes on the same stay.
| Gross rent | $450.00 |
| Louisiana State Sales Tax (5%)· usually collected by platform | $22.50 |
| Orleans Parish Gross Rentals Tax (5%)· usually collected by platform | $22.50 |
| Orleans Parish Occupancy Tax (STR) (6.75%)· usually collected by platform | $30.38 |
| Occupancy Privilege Tax + city nightly STR fees (0%)· usually collected by platform | $0.00 |
| Total tax (16.75%) | $75.38 |
| Guest pays | $525.38 |
Estimate only. Platform collection varies by listing site and agreement; verify rates with the taxing authorities.
New Orleans, LA
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.
Full New Orleansrules, playbook & sources →Orlando, FL
Orlando only allows short-term rentals (under 30 days) as owner-occupied 'home sharing': the owner or a long-term tenant must live on-site and be present during every stay, only one booking at a time is allowed, and no more than half the bedrooms may be rented — renting out an entire home short-term is prohibited in residential zones (whole-unit 'Commercial Dwelling Units' are limited to O-3, MU and AC commercial districts). Hosts must obtain an annual Home Sharing Registration ($275 first year, $100-$125 renewals, with a yearly interior inspection), and guests pay roughly 12.5% in combined state and Orange County taxes, which Airbnb and Vrbo collect on platform bookings. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
Full Orlandorules, playbook & sources →Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules change frequently in both markets; verify current requirements with each jurisdiction before operating.