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.
Chapter 73 of the LCG Code of Ordinances requires every short-term rental (defined as a dwelling unit or portion rented for fewer than 30 days) to obtain an STR license from Lafayette Consolidated Government and a parallel Sales and Use Tax license from the Lafayette Parish School System Sales Tax Division. The application fee is $100 (non-refundable, non-transferable) and the license term is two years. Additional core rules: (1) the dwelling must be the operator's primary residence (operator need not be on-site during rentals); (2) a 24/7 local responsible agent must be designated to respond to complaints; (3) all advertisements must display the license number; (4) a basic life-safety inspection is required before licensure; and (5) written notice must be mailed to adjacent neighbors before a license will be issued. Following City Ordinance CO-135-2024 (effective October 6, 2024), STRs are prohibited in all RS Single-Family zoning districts (covering roughly 75% of the city's residential area) with no grandfathering of existing operations. STRs remain permitted in mixed-use and commercial zoning districts; they are also prohibited in Industrial, Development Resource, and Public districts. State and local taxes (Louisiana 4.45% sales + 4% state hotel occupancy + Lafayette parish ~3% combined) apply to gross rental receipts. Confirm zoning eligibility for a specific address before applying via LCG Development & Planning.
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.
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