Charleston vs New Orleans

South Carolina Restricted | Louisiana Restricted

Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.

Charleston, South Carolina
Status Restricted
Permit Fee $250 (24–72 nights/yr) or $1,500 (72+ nights/yr) + $200 zoning review fee
Tax Rate ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax No
Max Fine Up to $1,087/day or 30 days jail; criminal prosecution possible
New Orleans, Louisiana
Status Restricted
Permit Fee NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year
Tax Rate 5% sales tax + 6.75% occupancy tax + $5–$12/night occupancy fee
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $1,000/violation; platforms fined $1,000/day per illegal listing

Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments.

Permits & Licensing

Charleston charges $250 (24–72 nights/yr) or $1,500 (72+ nights/yr) + $200 zoning review fee for STR licensing, while New Orleans charges NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year. Charleston renewal is annual, and New Orleans renewal is annual. Both cities share a similar regulatory stance, classified as "Restricted."

Tax Obligations

In Charleston, hosts pay ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes). In New Orleans, hosts pay 5% sales tax + 6.75% occupancy tax + $5–$12/night occupancy fee. A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in New Orleans, but hosts in Charleston must collect and remit taxes themselves — a significant operational burden.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Neither city imposes an annual day limit on short-term rentals, giving hosts year-round flexibility.

Fines & Enforcement

Hosts operating without a permit in Charleston face penalties including Up to $1,087/day or 30 days jail; criminal prosecution possible. In New Orleans, violations can result in $1,000/violation; platforms fined $1,000/day per illegal listing. Both cities actively enforce their STR regulations, so securing proper licensing before listing is essential in either market.

Charleston Overview

Whole-house STRs are effectively banned; at least one full-time resident must sleep on-site each night. Max 4 adult guests. Charleston is one of the few U.S. cities that criminally prosecutes illegal STR operators. $1M liability insurance required.

Contact: Charleston Dept. of Planning, Preservation & Sustainability — (843) 724-7311

Full Charleston guide →

New Orleans Overview

Heavily restricted: French Quarter is banned (except parts of Bourbon St), permits limited to owner's primary residence via lottery, CSTR permits frozen since 2023, and one STR per block density cap applies.

Contact: New Orleans STR Administration — (504) 658-7144

Full New Orleans guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Charleston or New Orleans?
Charleston is classified as "Restricted" while New Orleans is "Restricted." Charleston's permit fee is $250 (24–72 nights/yr) or $1,500 (72+ nights/yr) + $200 zoning review fee compared to NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year in New Orleans. Both cities have comparable regulatory frameworks.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Charleston or New Orleans?
Charleston charges ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes), while New Orleans charges 5% sales tax + 6.75% occupancy tax + $5–$12/night occupancy fee. Notably, New Orleans benefits from automatic platform tax collection, while hosts in Charleston must handle taxes themselves.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Charleston: Up to $1,087/day or 30 days jail; criminal prosecution possible. New Orleans: $1,000/violation; platforms fined $1,000/day per illegal listing. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Charleston and New Orleans have day limits for Airbnb?
Charleston has no annual day limit. New Orleans has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Charleston or New Orleans?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Charleston charges $250 (24–72 nights/yr) or $1,500 (72+ nights/yr) + $200 zoning review fee for permits with ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes) in taxes. New Orleans charges NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year with 5% sales tax + 6.75% occupancy tax + $5–$12/night occupancy fee. Automatic tax collection in New Orleans makes compliance easier for beginners.