Chicago vs New Orleans
Illinois Legal but Limited | Louisiana Restricted
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Chicago, Illinois | New Orleans, Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal but Limited | Restricted |
| Permit Fee | $250 annual registration fee | NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year |
| Tax Rate | 10.5% combined city tax (4.5% Hotel Accommodations + 6% Shared Housing Surcharge) + 1% Cook County | 5% sales tax + 6.75% occupancy tax + $5–$12/night occupancy fee |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Annual |
| Platform Remits Taxes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $1,500–$5,000 per offense; each day is a separate offense | $1,000/violation; platforms fined $1,000/day per illegal listing |
| Verdict | Chicago has more favorable STR regulations overall. | |
Chicago, Illinois
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $250 annual registration fee
Tax Rate 10.5% combined city tax (4.5% Hotel Accommodations + 6% Shared Housing Surcharge) + 1% Cook County
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $1,500–$5,000 per offense; each day is a separate offense
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
Chicago has more favorable STR regulations overall.
Chicago Overview
Must be host's primary residence; buildings with 5+ units limited to no more than 6 STR units; Restricted Residential Zones and Prohibited Buildings List apply. $1M commercial general liability insurance required.
Full Chicago 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.
Full New Orleans guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Chicago or New Orleans?
Chicago is classified as "Legal but Limited" while New Orleans is "Restricted." Chicago's permit fee is $250 annual registration fee compared to NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year in New Orleans.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Chicago or New Orleans?
Chicago charges 10.5% combined city tax (4.5% Hotel Accommodations + 6% Shared Housing Surcharge) + 1% Cook County, while New Orleans charges 5% sales tax + 6.75% occupancy tax + $5–$12/night occupancy fee. Compare the full breakdown in the table above.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Chicago: $1,500–$5,000 per offense; each day is a separate offense. New Orleans: $1,000/violation; platforms fined $1,000/day per illegal listing.