How to get a short-term rental permit in Baton Rouge, LA (2026)
Baton Rouge requires Short-Term Rental Permit (Non-Owner Occupied) — the fee is $100. Here's how to get and keep it.
Permit at a glance
| Permit required | Yes |
|---|---|
| Permit name | Short-Term Rental Permit (Non-Owner Occupied) |
| Permit fee | $100 |
| Renewal | No renewal required |
Step by step
- 1
Confirm your property is eligible
Confirm the property's zoning allows short-term rentals. 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.
- 2
Apply for the Short-Term Rental Permit (Non-Owner Occupied)
Submit the Short-Term Rental Permit (Non-Owner Occupied) application to Baton Rouge and pay the $100 fee. 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.
- 3
Register for occupancy taxes
Register to collect and remit the applicable lodging/occupancy taxes for Baton Rouge. Some are collected automatically by the booking platform and some you may need to remit yourself.
STR rules change without warning.
Get an email the moment Baton Rouge changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.
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Verified July 21, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Permit requirements and fees change; confirm current requirements with Baton Rouge before applying.