Executive Overview

• Short-term rentals are allowed in Youngsville, LA. The city’s Hotel Occupancy Tax Ordinance (Ordinance No. 367-I-2025) explicitly treats short-term rentals as “hotel” businesses subject to a 4% Hotel Occupancy Tax on the rent or fee charged. This tax applies to all short-term rental occupancy within city limits, as defined by Louisiana Act No. 246 of the 2013 Regular Session.
• The city currently has no separate licensing, permitting, or zoning ordinance governing short-term rentals in the provided materials. In Lafayette (a separate jurisdiction), there has been discussion of prohibitions in certain zoning districts, but those proposals do not apply to Youngsville.
• City-level compliance primarily centers on collecting and remitting the 4% Hotel Occupancy Tax on gross revenues. There is no city business license or additional registration referenced in the provided ordinances.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Youngsville

1. Decide the STR model (entire home, room, or multiple units) and confirm compliance with any HOA or neighborhood restrictions (outside city ordinances).
2. Register and obtain a Louisiana Sales Tax Seller’s Permit from the Louisiana Department of Revenue if you will collect and remit state sales and use taxes (this is a general business requirement; provided materials do not show a city-level business license requirement).
3. Collect the Youngsville Hotel Occupancy Tax at 4% of the rent or fee charged for each stay, and remit per the city’s procedures. The tax covers “the rent or fee charged for the occupancy of hotel rooms within the city,” and the city code explicitly includes short-term rentals in that definition.
4. Maintain accurate records for city HOT remittances and prepare for potential future city-level reporting requirements.
5. Verify that the property meets building, fire, and safety standards applicable to residential use. The provided materials do not specify additional city-level requirements for STR units beyond occupancy tax.
6. Consider consulting with an accountant or tax professional to ensure proper classification, collection, and remittance of occupancy taxes.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Youngsville Hotel Occupancy Tax compliance
  • File returns and remit 4% of gross rental revenue per the city’s procedures (finance/tax administration). The tax is levied “without any term limit,” and proceeds are deposited in the city’s general fund for public purposes.
  • Use the definition of “hotel” in the city ordinance, which includes short-term rentals, in determining HOT applicability.
• Louisiana Sales Tax Seller’s Permit (for general tax compliance and state-level filings; verify with the Department of Revenue if short-term rentals in your structure are subject to state sales tax).
• Zoning and permits: No city-specific STR zoning, permit, or registration requirements are provided in the city documents reviewed. Proceed under standard residential use unless otherwise required by building or fire codes.
• Documentation and records: Maintain reservation ledgers, invoices, and remittance records consistent with municipal tax requirements.
• Tenant and guest compliance: Align house rules and local ordinances regarding noise, parking, and occupancy. While Youngsville’s provided materials do not include STR-specific occupancy limits, ensure compliance with applicable fire/safety codes and building occupancy standards.

City-Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals in Youngsville

• Hotel Occupancy Tax Ordinance (Ordinance No. 367-I-2025, adopted May 8, 2025)
  • 4% tax on rent or fees for transient occupancy; covers short-term rentals.
  • Short-term rentals are considered “hotel” establishments for HOT purposes.
  • Tax proceeds deposited into the city’s general fund and used for public purposes within the city.
  • The definition of “hotel” includes short-term rentals and is tied to the requirements of Louisiana Act No. 246 of the 2013 Regular Session.
• Other city ordinances
  • Sign regulations exist for all businesses and properties but do not impose restrictions or requirements unique to short-term rentals (provided sign ordinance).
• Lafayette context (not applicable to Youngsville; included for awareness)
  • Lafayette Parish/Lafayette City has discussed STR-related ordinances, including potential prohibitions in certain residential zoning districts (e.g., Residential Single-Family), and licensing frameworks outside Youngsville jurisdiction.

County-Level Context (Lafayette Parish)

• The provided materials do not include a Lafayette Parish-level occupancy tax or licensing requirements specific to Youngsville. Lafayette Parish governance is separate from Youngsville; investors should verify any parish-level requirements that may apply if properties are sited in parish (unincorporated) areas.

State-Level Regulations and Considerations (Louisiana)

• State statutory basis
  • The Youngsville HOT is grounded in Louisiana Act No. 246 of the 2013 Regular Session, which authorizes municipalities to levy occupancy taxes on hotels and similar establishments.
• Sales and Use Tax
  • Short-term rentals may be subject to state sales tax depending on structure, occupancy characteristics, and classification under Louisiana law. Verify with the Louisiana Department of Revenue whether your specific STR model requires sales tax collection and remittance.
• Local occupancy taxes
  • Many Louisiana parishes and cities impose local occupancy taxes. Youngsville’s HOT applies to properties within city limits.
• Future legislative changes
  • Monitor Louisiana legislation that may affect short-term rental classification, taxation, and local authority to regulate STRs.

Contact Information for Local Authority (Youngsville)

• City of Youngsville, Finance/Tax Administration
  • Address: City Hall (specific Finance Department address not provided in the reviewed materials)
  • Phone: Not provided in the reviewed materials
  • Email: Not provided in the reviewed materials
  • Website: www.youngsville.us
• Youngsville Mayor and City Clerk
  • Mayor: Ken Ritter
  • City Clerk: Nicole Guidry
• Lafayette Consolidated Government (for Lafayette jurisdiction only; not Youngsville’s authority)
  • Phone: Not provided
  • Website: Not provided in the reviewed materials

Links to Source Pages (if available)

• City of Youngsville Ordinance No. 367-I-2025 (Hotel Occupancy Tax addressing short-term rentals): mccmeetingspublic.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/youngsvila-meet-5eaa949ccd7143c0892b128ce20af135/ITEM-Attachment-001-5bb9b24940e04ca4845755fca50dd177.pdf
• City of Youngsville website: www.youngsville.us
• Youngsville Sign Regulations (Ordinance No. 280.6-2015): www.youngsville.us/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/OrdNo.280.6-2015SignRegulationsAmendedFINAL11-12-15.pdf
• Lafayette STR-related news article (context only; not binding on Youngsville): www.bylocalnews.com/news/naquin-defers-short-term-rental-ordinance/
• Youngsville City Council Meeting Document (access to agenda materials): meetings.municode.com/adaHtmlDocument/index?cc=YOUNGSVILA&me=1aaee08650a24ee888bf120fdcda2979&ip=true

Practical Steps for Compliance and Operation

• Confirm property location within Youngsville city limits; taxes and rules may differ in unincorporated Lafayette Parish.
• Collect and remit the 4% Youngsville HOT on gross rents; maintain auditable records.
• If renting through online platforms, determine whether platform collection applies to Youngsville HOT and clarify responsibilities under city/state rules.
• Adopt house rules that address occupancy, quiet hours, parking, and trash to reduce neighborhood friction, even absent formal city STR restrictions in the provided materials.
• Plan for potential changes in local or state STR regulations, as the broader Lafayette region has seen policy discussions and may continue to refine rules.

Conclusion Youngsville currently allows short-term rentals and subjects them to a 4% Hotel Occupancy Tax. There are no city-specific licensing or zoning requirements for STRs in the provided documents, though compliance with building and safety standards is assumed. Investors should prioritize HOT registration and remittance and monitor both city council actions and state legislation for future developments.