Short-Term Rental Laws in Baton Rouge, LA (2026)
Baton Rouge (City-Parish of East Baton Rouge) allows short-term rentals in all residential zoning districts as 'limited' uses. Non-owner-occupied STRs require a $100 Short-Term Rental Permit from the Permits and Inspections Division, with occupancy capped at two people per bedroom plus two and one parking space per rented bedroom; owner-occupied STRs need no permit but the owner must be present during stays, keep one bedroom un-rented, and register to remit taxes. Any STR loses the right to operate for one year after three adjudicated violations in a calendar year.
Reviewed by the STR Rule Watch research team against 10 official sources. How we verify data
Baton Rouge STR rules at a glance
| Legal status | Allowed with permit |
|---|---|
| Permit required | Yes |
| Permit name | Short-Term Rental Permit (Non-Owner Occupied) |
| Permit fee | $100 |
| Renewal | No renewal required |
| Owner occupancy required | No |
| Primary residence only | No |
| Total occupancy taxes | ~16.5% of gross revenue |
| Enforcement | Permits are administered by the Department of Development, Permits and Inspections Division; violations are reported and adjudicated, and per UDC Secs. |
| Current rules effective | 2023-08-16 |
What will guests pay in taxes on a Baton Rouge stay?
Itemized occupancy taxes for Baton Rouge, LA — enter your nightly rate to see the real cost breakdown.
Baton Rouge occupancy tax calculator
| Gross rent | $450.00 |
| Louisiana state sales tax (5%)· collection varies | $22.50 |
| East Baton Rouge Parish / City of Baton Rouge local sales and use tax (5.5%)· collection varies | $24.75 |
| Hotel/Motel occupancy tax (Visit Baton Rouge + River Center levies) (6%)· collection varies | $27.00 |
| Total tax (16.5%) | $74.25 |
| Guest pays | $524.25 |
Estimate only. Platform collection varies by listing site and agreement; verify rates with the taxing authorities.
Permits & licensing
Baton Rouge requires Short-Term Rental Permit (Non-Owner Occupied) to operate a short-term rental — the fee is $100.
The $100 fee applies to the Non-Owner Occupied Short-Term Rental Permit issued by the Permits and Inspections Division (applied for via MyGovernmentOnline). Owner-occupied STRs are exempt from the permit but must register to remit sales, use and occupancy taxes (or use a registered platform) and must keep one bedroom un-rented with the owner present during stays.
Zoning & location rules
Under Unified Development Code Chapter 9 (Use Regulations), 'Short-Term Rental, Owner Occupied' and 'Short-Term Rental, Non Owner Occupied' are designated 'L' (limited) uses -- permitted by right subject to the standards of Sections 9.3.6 and 9.3.7 -- across all predominantly single-family residential districts (RE/A3, RE/A1, A1, R, A2 series) and most other residential and commercial districts, with no conditional-use hearing required. Non-owner-occupied STRs in Local Historic Districts appear as a distinct limited-use row subject to the same Sec. 9.3.7 standards. The UDC applies to the City of Baton Rouge and unincorporated East Baton Rouge Parish; Baker, Central and Zachary regulate separately.
Taxes
| Tax | Rate | Who collects |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana state sales tax5% on room rentals outside Orleans/Jefferson Parishes, effective 1/1/2025 through 12/31/2029 (scheduled to drop to 4.75% on 1/1/2030). Under Act 82 of 2025, accommodations intermediaries (Airbnb, Vrbo) are marketplace facilitators and must collect/remit state and local sales taxes effective 7/1/2025; hosts remit on direct bookings. | 5% | varies |
| East Baton Rouge Parish / City of Baton Rouge local sales and use taxCombined local rate is 5.50% in the City of Baton Rouge, St. George, and unincorporated EBR Parish (EBR School District); 6.00%-7.50% in Baker, Central and certain Economic Development Districts. Platforms collect for facilitated bookings (Act 82, eff. 7/1/2025); otherwise the host remits to the City-Parish Dept. of Finance, Revenue Division. | 5.5% | varies |
| Hotel/Motel occupancy tax (Visit Baton Rouge + River Center levies)Total 6.00% in the City of Baton Rouge and unincorporated EBR Parish (Visit BR 3% + 1%; River Center 1% + 1%); 4%-15.5% in other municipalities and EDD jurisdictions per the City-Parish rate table effective 7/1/2026. Airbnb collects 6% for EBR listings; accommodations intermediaries must remit occupancy taxes beginning 1/1/2026 (Act 82); direct-booking hosts file the City-Parish Hotel/Motel Tax Report monthly. | 6% | varies |
Enforcement & penalties
Permits are administered by the Department of Development, Permits and Inspections Division; violations are reported and adjudicated, and per UDC Secs. 9.3.6(E)/9.3.7(E) any short-term rental loses the ability to operate for one year after three violations are reported and adjudicated during one calendar year (resumption afterward requires meeting the base requirements). Enforcement of the STR regulations began 9 months after adoption (regulations adopted November 16, 2022; enforcement from roughly mid-August 2023). Hotel/Motel tax returns are due the 1st of the following month and delinquent if not postmarked prior to the 21st day, with a penalty of 5% of tax due per month (25% max) plus 12% per annum interest from the date delinquent until paid (per the City-Parish Hotel/Motel Tax Report form in effect from April 1, 2026).
Under UDC Sec. 6.7.1, any violation of the Unified Development Code (which contains the STR rules) is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $500, or up to 30 days imprisonment, with each day of continuing violation constituting a separate offense. Additionally, three adjudicated violations in one calendar year cause loss of the ability to operate the STR for one year.
⚠️ HOA/condo rules may prohibit STRs regardless of city law.
Getting legal in Baton Rouge: the playbook
Generated from this market's verified rules — each step traces to the sources at the bottom of this page.
- 1
Verify your zoning
Location rules apply: 7 -- across all predominantly single-family residential districts (RE/A3, RE/A1, A1, R, A2 series) and most other residential and commercial districts, with no conditional-use hearing required. Non-owner-occupied STRs in Local Historic Districts appear as a distinct limited-use row subject to the same Sec. Confirm your parcel's zoning with the city before applying — the full zoning rules are detailed above.
- 2
Check the covenant layer
HOA/condo rules may prohibit STRs regardless of city law.
- 3
Apply for the Short-Term Rental Permit (Non-Owner Occupied)
Budget $100. The $100 fee applies to the Non-Owner Occupied Short-Term Rental Permit issued by the Permits and Inspections Division (applied for via MyGovernmentOnline). Apply through the city — the official application page is linked in the sources below.
- 4
Set up tax collection & remittance
Platforms don't collect everything here: Louisiana state sales tax (5%), East Baton Rouge Parish / City of Baton Rouge local sales and use tax (5.5%), Hotel/Motel occupancy tax (Visit Baton Rouge + River Center levies) (6%) are remitted by the host. Register with the taxing authority before your first booking and calendar the filing deadlines.
- 5
Know the cost of getting it wrong
Under UDC Sec. 1, any violation of the Unified Development Code (which contains the STR rules) is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $500, or up to 30 days imprisonment, with each day of continuing violation constituting a separate offense. Full enforcement details and penalties are covered above.
Recent rule changes in Baton Rouge
July 1, 2026
New City-Parish hotel/motel tax form adds EDD occupancy levies
The City-Parish issued a new Occupancy (Hotel/Motel) rate table and return effective July 1, 2026, adding Economic Development District jurisdictions (Southern Univ, LSU, LSU Athletic Subdistrict, Old LNB, Bluebonnet, EBRATS, Third-Florida, Capitol House) with total hotel tax rates of 7%-15.5%; the base City of Baton Rouge rate remains 6.00%.
Official source →January 1, 2026material
Platforms must also remit hotel/motel occupancy taxes
Act 82 requires accommodations intermediaries remitting sales taxes as marketplace facilitators to also remit all hotel and motel occupancy taxes beginning January 1, 2026, shifting occupancy-tax remittance for platform bookings off hosts.
Official source →July 1, 2025material
Act 82: platforms must collect Louisiana sales taxes
Act 82 of the 2025 Regular Session made accommodations intermediaries (Airbnb, Vrbo, etc.) marketplace facilitators under La. R.S. 47:340.1, requiring them to collect and remit state and local sales and use taxes on facilitated bookings effective July 1, 2025.
Official source →January 1, 2025material
Louisiana state sales tax on accommodations rises to 5%
Under the 2024 tax-reform acts, the state sales tax on room rentals outside Orleans and Jefferson Parishes increased from 4.45% to 5%, effective January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2029 (scheduled to fall to 4.75% on January 1, 2030).
Official source →August 16, 2023material
STR enforcement begins
Per UDC Secs. 9.3.6(F)/9.3.7(F), enforcement of the STR regulations began 9 months after the November 16, 2022 adoption (mid-August 2023); hosts needed permits and tax registration by then.
Official source →November 16, 2022material
Metro Council adopts first STR regulations (UDC amendment)
The East Baton Rouge Metropolitan Council unanimously approved short-term rental regulations, adding Sections 9.3.6 (Owner Occupied) and 9.3.7 (Non Owner Occupied) to the Unified Development Code: tax registration for all STRs, a $100 permit for non-owner-occupied units, occupancy and parking standards, and a one-year operating ban after three adjudicated violations. A proposed conditional-use hearing requirement was dropped, making STRs permitted 'limited' uses.
Official source →
Frequently asked questions
›Is Airbnb legal in Baton Rouge?
Yes — Airbnb and other short-term rentals are legal in Baton Rouge, LA, but you must obtain a Short-Term Rental Permit (Non-Owner Occupied) before operating. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›Do I need a permit for a short-term rental in Baton Rouge?
Yes. Baton Rouge requires a Short-Term Rental Permit (Non-Owner Occupied) to operate a short-term rental, which costs $100. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›How much does a Baton Rouge short-term rental permit cost?
The Short-Term Rental Permit (Non-Owner Occupied) costs $100. The $100 fee applies to the Non-Owner Occupied Short-Term Rental Permit issued by the Permits and Inspections Division (applied for via MyGovernmentOnline). Owner-occupied STRs are exempt from the permit but must register to remit sales, use and occupancy taxes (or use a registered platform) and must keep one bedroom un-rented with the owner present during stays.
›Can I Airbnb a non-primary residence in Baton Rouge?
Yes — Baton Rouge does not limit short-term rentals to primary residences. Zoning and other restrictions may still apply. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›What taxes do short-term rental hosts pay in Baton Rouge?
Hosts in Baton Rouge are subject to: Louisiana state sales tax (5%), East Baton Rouge Parish / City of Baton Rouge local sales and use tax (5.5%), Hotel/Motel occupancy tax (Visit Baton Rouge + River Center levies) (6%) — roughly 16.5% total on gross rental revenue. Platforms like Airbnb collect some of these automatically; check each line's collection method on this page.
›Does Airbnb collect taxes automatically in Baton Rouge?
No — in Baton Rouge hosts are responsible for registering, collecting, and remitting the listed occupancy taxes themselves. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›What happens if I operate a short-term rental illegally in Baton Rouge?
Under UDC Sec. 1, any violation of the Unified Development Code (which contains the STR rules) is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $500, or up to 30 days imprisonment, with each day of continuing violation constituting a separate offense. See the enforcement section on this page for full details.
›When did Baton Rouge's current short-term rental rules take effect?
The current ordinance took effect on August 16, 2023. See the change timeline on this page for amendments since, and the sources section for the official text.
Baton Rouge's STR rules changed 4 times recently.
Get an email the moment Baton Rouge changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.
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More resources
- How to get a short-term rental permit in Baton Rouge
- Baton Rouge short-term rental taxes explained
- Can I Airbnb in Baton Rouge?
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Sources
- Short Term Rental Registration - City of Baton Rouge (official STR page)retrieved July 20, 2026
- Short-Term Rental Permits Information Sheet, Permits & Inspections Division (Rev. 8/10/23)retrieved July 20, 2026
- Unified Development Code, Chapter 9 - Use Regulations (September 2025 ed.), Secs. 9.3.6 & 9.3.7retrieved July 20, 2026
- Unified Development Code, Chapter 6 - Enforcement, Sec. 6.7 Violations and Penaltiesretrieved July 20, 2026
- City-Parish Occupancy (Hotel/Motel) Tax Rates Effective July 1, 2026retrieved July 20, 2026
- City-Parish Sales and Use Tax Rates Effective July 1, 2026retrieved July 20, 2026
- Louisiana Dept. of Revenue FAQ - State sales tax rate for sleeping rooms and similar accommodationsretrieved July 20, 2026
- Louisiana Dept. of Revenue, Revenue Information Bulletin 25-026 - Room Rentals Using Accommodations Intermediaries (Oct. 24, 2025)retrieved July 20, 2026
- Airbnb Help Center - Occupancy tax collection and remittance by Airbnb in Louisianaretrieved July 20, 2026
- City-Parish Hotel/Motel Tax Report (return form for use after April 1, 2026)retrieved July 21, 2026
This page is informational only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules change and enforcement varies — verify current requirements with Baton Rouge and a qualified professional before operating.