New Orleans short-term rental applications open, due April 1

Nearly four months later, New Orleans’ finalized short-term rental regulations are expected to take effect next month.

According to the Mayor’s office, taxpayers can submit applications for Short-Term Rental Licenses beginning Monday, March 13. The deadline for the applications for all short-term rental property holders is April 1.

This past December, New Orleans City Council finalized regulation designed to limit and tax short-term rentals in the city. Decided on a 6-1 vote, the new regulations take place on April 1.

Beginning this April, three types of permits will be utilized and recognized by the short-term rental administration. Permits are necessary for all types of short-term rentals.

Photo Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Permit types

• Accessory permits allow a property owners to rent out spare bedrooms or half a double on a full-time basis.
• Temporary permits allow property owners to rent a whole home 90 days per calendar year, up to five bedrooms.
• Commercial permits allow property owners to operate short term rentals in nonresidential zones, up to five bedrooms.

Requirements

The Short-Term Rental Administration, under New Orleans’ Department of Safety and Permits, has listed the following requirements to apply for a Short-Term Rental License:

• The property has current, valid liability insurance of $500,000 or more
• Each licensed dwelling has working smoke detectors in every bedroom, outside of sleeping areas, and on all habitable floors
• Each licensed dwelling has a properly maintained and charged fire extinguisher
• Each dwelling will provide a posting which provides emergency contact information and a floor plan indicating fire exits and escape routes, which shall be posted in a prominent location
• Certification that the property is in compliance with the City's Minimum Property Maintenance, Building, Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing Codes
• Certification that the property does and will continue to comply with all Use Standards of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for the specific license type
• That the owner/operator has made best efforts to notify immediately adjoining properties of an application for a STR license
• Certification that the property has no outstanding taxes or liens

The new branch

In November of 2016, the Landrieu administration allocated $619,000 to hire administrators for the city’s proposed short-term rental enforcement branch. The new administration is responsible for distributing short-term rental licenses, enforcing the city’s regulations on rentals, and managing data provided by Airbnb and other rental agencies.

The city hired a program manager, four inspectors and two information technology specialist for its new administrative branch, according to the 2017 budget.

Starting April 1, addresses and permit identification numbers will be accessible from the City of New Orleans’ website, according to the Office of the Mayor.

To learn more about short-term rental permits, click here.

• Short-term rentals approved in New Orleans after council vote [Curbed NOLA]
• New Orleans to enforce short-term rentals in Spring 2017 [Curbed NOLA]
• Short-Term Rental Permits [City of New Orleans]
• Applications for Short-Term Rental Licenses Available Starting Monday, March 13 [Curbed NOLA]