Columbus vs New Orleans

Ohio Legal with Permit | Louisiana Restricted

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

Columbus, Ohio
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $75/year (primary residence); $150/year (non-primary)
Tax Rate 5.1% Columbus lodging excise tax + 7.5% Ohio sales tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Up to $250 fine and/or 30 days imprisonment per violation
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

Columbus has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Columbus charges $75/year (primary residence); $150/year (non-primary) for STR licensing, while New Orleans charges NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year. Columbus renewal is annual, and New Orleans renewal is annual. Overall, Columbus has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to New Orleans (Restricted).

Tax Obligations

In Columbus, hosts pay 5.1% Columbus lodging excise tax + 7.5% Ohio sales tax. In New Orleans, hosts pay 5% sales tax + 6.75% occupancy tax + $5–$12/night occupancy fee. Both cities benefit from automatic platform tax collection through Airbnb and similar services, simplifying compliance for hosts.

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 Columbus face penalties including Up to $250 fine and/or 30 days imprisonment per violation. 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.

Columbus Overview

Governed by Columbus Code Chapter 598; BCI background check required. Properties must be in eligible zoning district.

Contact: Dept. of Building and Zoning Services — (614) 645-8366

Full Columbus 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 Columbus or New Orleans?
Columbus is classified as "Legal with Permit" while New Orleans is "Restricted." Columbus's permit fee is $75/year (primary residence); $150/year (non-primary) compared to NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year in New Orleans. Overall, Columbus has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Columbus or New Orleans?
Columbus charges 5.1% Columbus lodging excise tax + 7.5% Ohio sales tax, while New Orleans charges 5% sales tax + 6.75% occupancy tax + $5–$12/night occupancy fee.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Columbus: Up to $250 fine and/or 30 days imprisonment per violation. 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 Columbus and New Orleans have day limits for Airbnb?
Columbus has no annual day limit. New Orleans has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Columbus or New Orleans?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Columbus charges $75/year (primary residence); $150/year (non-primary) for permits with 5.1% Columbus lodging excise tax + 7.5% Ohio sales tax 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 Columbus and New Orleans makes compliance easier for beginners.