Lafayette's Short-Term Rentals: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles short-term rentals a little differently. In Lafayette, Louisiana, there are 8 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Permit Requirements

Lafayette City Council approved STR regulations in September 2023; effective January 1, 2024 every short-term rental requires a Short-Term Rental license and a Sales and Use Tax license. STR defined as stays under 30 days.

Key details: Approved: September 2023. Effective: January 1, 2024. Definition: Stays under 30 days. Licenses: STR + Sales/Use Tax.

Operating without permit/registration: $100 to $500/day. Safety violations: correction notice and fines.

Taxes & Fees

Louisiana state sales tax of 4.45% plus parish/local taxes apply to lodging. Lafayette levies additional occupancy taxes. Total rates typically 11 to 16%.

Key details: State Tax: 4.45% sales. Local Tax: Varies by parish. Platforms: Auto-collect state tax. Total: 11 to 16% typical.

Non-remittance: penalty + interest. Louisiana Department of Revenue audit. Tax evasion: criminal charges possible.

Parking Rules

Lafayette may require designated parking for STR guests. Parking plan may be part of STR permit. Street parking varies by parish and municipality.

Key details: Off-Street: Check city requirements. Street Limit: Per city code. HOA: May have restrictions. Flood Zones: Note parking elevation.

Parking plan non-compliance may affect permit renewal. Street parking violations per city code.

Noise Rules

Lafayette STRs must comply with general noise ordinance. Many municipalities impose stricter quiet hours for rentals. Complaints can trigger permit review.

Key details: Quiet Hours: Per city noise ordinance. Parties: Prohibited at most STRs. Response: Host must respond promptly. Consequence: Permit revocation possible.

Noise violation: $100 to $500. Multiple complaints: permit review/revocation. Host responsible for guest behavior.

Occupancy Limits

Lafayette limits the number of guests allowed in short-term rental properties. Occupancy caps are typically based on bedroom count or square footage to protect neighborhood quality of life.

Key details: Typical Limit: 2 per bedroom + 2. Listing: Must state max occupancy. Enforcement: Complaint-driven. Penalty: Permit revocation possible.

First offense: warning. Repeated overcrowding: fines of $250 to $1,000. Permit suspension or revocation for chronic violations.

Insurance Requirements

Lafayette may require hosts to carry liability insurance for short-term rental properties. Minimum coverage amounts vary by jurisdiction.

Key details: Coverage: $500K to $1M typical. Homeowner Policy: May not cover STR. Platform Insurance: May not satisfy local rules. Proof: May be required at renewal.

Operating without required insurance may result in permit denial or revocation. Hosts may face personal liability for uninsured claims.

Registration Rules

Lafayette Consolidated Government adopted Chapter 73 (Short-Term Rentals) effective January 1, 2024, with licensing required from April 1, 2024. Each STR must obtain a $100 STR license plus a Sales and Use Tax license; licenses are valid for two years. The property must be the operator's primary residence, and STRs are prohibited in Residential Single-Family (RS) zoning districts under amendments effective October 6, 2024.

Key details: Code: LCG Code Chapter 73. License Fee: $100 (2-year term). Effective: Jan 1, 2024 (licensing Apr 1, 2024). RS Zone Ban: Effective Oct 6, 2024 (CO-135-2024). Primary Residence: Required.

Operating without a valid STR license, advertising without displaying the license number, or operating in a prohibited RS zone can trigger code enforcement citations, license revocation, and civil penalties under Chapter 73. Tax non-compliance is enforced separately by the Lafayette Parish School System Sales Tax Division and the Louisiana Department of Revenue.

This is one of the stricter rules in Lafayette's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Night Caps

Lafayette Consolidated Government does not impose an annual cap on the number of rental nights for licensed short-term rentals. Chapter 73 instead defines an STR as any rental of a dwelling for fewer than 30 days and regulates STRs through licensing, primary-residence rules, occupancy limits (two persons per bedroom plus two), and zoning restrictions (prohibited in RS Single-Family districts).

Key details: Annual Night Cap: None — no per-year limit. STR Definition: Rental under 30 days. Occupancy: 2 per bedroom + 2. Single-Party Rule: Whole-structure to one party. Primary Residence: Required.

Any rental of fewer than 30 days without an LCG STR license violates Chapter 73. Operating a non-primary-residence STR, exceeding the two-per-bedroom-plus-two occupancy formula, or running concurrent room rentals can trigger citations, license revocation, and civil penalties.

The Bottom Line

Lafayette's short-term rentals rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Lafayette is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Lafayette's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.