Denver vs New Orleans

Colorado Legal with Permit | Louisiana Restricted

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

Denver, Colorado
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $100 license fee
Tax Rate 10.75% Lodger's Tax (combined city/county/state)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Every 2 years
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $999/day for unlicensed operation
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

Denver has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Denver charges $100 license fee for STR licensing, while New Orleans charges NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year. Denver renewal is every 2 years, and New Orleans renewal is annual. Overall, Denver has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to New Orleans (Restricted).

Tax Obligations

In Denver, hosts pay 10.75% Lodger's Tax (combined city/county/state). 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 Denver face penalties including $999/day for unlicensed operation. 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.

Denver Overview

Only primary residences may be used as STRs. Hosts must obtain a Short-Term Rental license. No cap on rental days. Accessory dwelling units on the same lot are also eligible.

Contact: Denver Excise & Licenses — (720) 913-1311

Full Denver 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 Denver or New Orleans?
Denver is classified as "Legal with Permit" while New Orleans is "Restricted." Denver's permit fee is $100 license fee compared to NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year in New Orleans. Overall, Denver has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Denver or New Orleans?
Denver charges 10.75% Lodger's Tax (combined city/county/state), 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?
Denver: $999/day for unlicensed operation. 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 Denver and New Orleans have day limits for Airbnb?
Denver has no annual day limit. New Orleans has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Denver or New Orleans?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Denver charges $100 license fee for permits with 10.75% Lodger's Tax (combined city/county/state) 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 Denver and New Orleans makes compliance easier for beginners.