New Orleans, LA Short-Term Rentals: Registration Rules (2026)

The New Orleans STR registration system was overhauled in 2023 and divides permits into three primary categories. Residential STR permits are limited to owner-occupants and require a homestead exemption. Small Commercial STR permits cover certain mixed-use buildings, and Commercial STR permits are reserved for larger commercial structures, generally those approved through conditional use processes.

The application process is handled through the One Stop App permitting portal operated by the Department of Safety and Permits. Required materials typically include proof of ownership, a copy of the deed and property tax bill, proof of homestead exemption (residential), proof of liability insurance with the required limits, a Louisiana Department of Revenue sales tax registration, and a parish lodging tax registration. Applicants must also provide a 24/7 operator contact who can respond to complaints within approximately one hour.

Permits are issued on an annual basis and must be renewed each year, with all listings required to display the permit number on every booking platform. Operating an STR without a valid permit is subject to substantial fines, sometimes calculated per night of unlicensed operation, and platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo are required to delist unpermitted units in response to city enforcement notices. The Department of Safety and Permits maintains a public database of approved STRs that residents and prospective guests can search.