Baton Rouge, Louisiana Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are STRs allowed in Baton Rouge, LA?

Yes—short-term rentals are allowed in East Baton Rouge Parish (which includes the City of Baton Rouge but excludes the municipalities of Baker, Central, and Zachary). The City-Parish adopted a two‑track framework:
- Owner‑occupied STRs: allowed without a permit, but with strict occupancy limits and owner‑presence requirements; must register to remit lodging/sales/occupancy taxes.
- Non‑owner‑occupied STRs: allowed with a Short‑Term Rental permit (valid until operation ceases for 1 year), fee $100, safety and parking standards, and tax registration.
Definitions and rules are set by the City‑Parish and enforced via the Permits & Inspections Division. A private HOA or subdivision covenant can prohibit STRs even if zoning allows them.

How to Start a Short‑Term Rental Business in Baton Rouge

Owner‑occupied STR (no permit required):
- You may rent up to one bedroom less than the total number of bedrooms in the unit.
- The property must be your primary residence (Homestead Exemption required) and you must be present during any STR stays.
- Register for sales/use/occupancy taxes or use an online platform registered to remit them.
Non‑owner‑occupied STR (permit required):
- Obtain a Short‑Term Rental permit from the Permits & Inspections Division before listing or hosting.
- Submit application, documents, fee ($100), and a parking plan.
- Maintain an occupational license or proof of an online platform registration for tax remittance.

Register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue for state sales tax and related obligations.
Register locally to remit lodging/occupancy taxes and any applicable sales/use taxes, or use a platform (e.g., Airbnb, Vrbo) that is registered to remit on your behalf. Do not rely solely on platform remittance—verify which taxes they collect and ensure all obligations are met.

Non‑owner‑occupied: comply with safety requirements verified during permitting; follow maximum occupancy rules (2 per bedroom + 2).
Owner‑occupied: comply with bedroom‑limit rule and owner‑presence requirement.

Provide one parking space for each bedroom used as an STR. An alternative parking arrangement approved by the Planning Commission may be accepted; submit a parking plan with your application.

Ensure your listing, booking, guest communications, and house rules are consistent with local rules (occupancy, parking, noise, trash, etc.).
Maintain records for taxes and inspections; be responsive to code enforcement.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines Owner‑occupied STRs (no permit)

Homestead Exemption proof (to confirm owner‑occupancy).
Tax registration proof or proof of platform registration for lodging/sales/occupancy taxes.
Compliance with bedroom limit: rent up to one bedroom less than total bedrooms.
Documentation showing owner is present during guest stays.

Non‑owner‑occupied STR (permit required)

Short‑Term Rental application (submitted online via MGO Connect; you need a City‑Parish user account).
$100 permit fee.
Parking plan (detailing one space per bedroom or approved alternative).
Tax registration proof or proof of an online platform registration.
Safety documentation consistent with city standards (as required by the permitting checklist/inspection process).
Proof of ownership and property details.
Compliance with occupancy limits: two people per bedroom plus two additional people.
Any other documents required by the application portal or inspector.

Notes on insurance and safety

Standard homeowner’s policies often exclude short‑term rental activity. Hosts should consider a specialized short‑term rental or commercial general liability policy that meets or exceeds typical municipal standards.
Common safety measures include working smoke and CO detectors, fire extinguishers, posted emergency information, and adherence to occupancy limits. Always follow the city’s current safety/inspection checklist.

Regulations Specific to Baton Rouge (City and Parish) Definition

A short‑term rental is the rental of all or any portion of a residential dwelling for dwelling/lodging/sleeping purposes to one party for less than 30 consecutive days.

Owner‑occupied STRs

No permit required.
Must register for lodging/sales/occupancy taxes or use an online platform registered to remit.
Must be owner‑occupied (Homestead Exemption required) and owner present during rentals.
Renting limitation: up to one bedroom less than the total number of bedrooms in the unit.
Violation policy: operating privileges suspended for one year if three violations are reported and adjudicated during one calendar year.

Non‑owner‑occupied STRs

Permit required prior to operation; fee $100.
Permit remains valid while the STR is in continuous operation; it becomes invalid if operation ceases for one year.
Tax registration or platform proof required to submit the application.
Occupancy: two people per bedroom plus two additional people.
Parking: one space per bedroom used as an STR, or an alternative plan approved by the Planning Commission.
Violation policy: operating privileges suspended for one year if three violations are reported and adjudicated during one calendar year.

Zoning and private restrictions

The City‑Parish zoning ordinance does not expressly prohibit short‑term rentals in single‑family residential zones; however, they are subject to local regulations and permitting.
Private restrictive covenants or HOA rules may prohibit short‑term rentals even if zoning allows them. Review your subdivision’s covenants carefully before investing or listing.

State‑level framework (Louisiana)

The state delegates most STR regulation to local governments. There is no statewide STR license or uniform ordinance.
State tax obligations apply:
- State sales/use taxes and local lodging/occupancy taxes are generally required.
- Typical combined rates in Baton Rouge approximate 11–12% (lodging/occupancy plus state/local sales taxes), but exact rates depend on your specific location and should be confirmed with the Louisiana Department of Revenue and East Baton Rouge Parish tax authorities.
Platforms like Airbnb/Vrbo may collect some taxes in certain jurisdictions, but hosts are responsible for ensuring all applicable taxes are collected and remitted.

Links to Source Pages (Official and Informational)

Disclaimer and guidance

This guide synthesizes publicly available City‑Parish materials and authoritative resources. Because local rules can evolve, always confirm current requirements and tax rates with the City‑Parish and the Louisiana Department of Revenue before applying or listing. If your property is in Baker, Central, or Zachary, those municipalities have their own rules and are not governed by the City‑Parish permit summarized above.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana