Fort Lauderdale vs New Orleans
Florida Legal with Permit | Louisiana Restricted
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | New Orleans, Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal with Permit | Restricted |
| Permit Fee | $350 initial registration; $80–$160/year renewal | NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year |
| Tax Rate | ~13% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1% surtax) | 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 | $250/uncontested violation; up to $15,000/day during suspension | $1,000/violation; platforms fined $1,000/day per illegal listing |
| Verdict | Fort Lauderdale has more favorable STR regulations overall. | |
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $350 initial registration; $80–$160/year renewal
Tax Rate ~13% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1% surtax)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $250/uncontested violation; up to $15,000/day during suspension
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
Fort Lauderdale has more favorable STR regulations overall.
Fort Lauderdale Overview
Annual registration and Certificate of Compliance required. Occupancy capped at 2 persons per bedroom. Florida DBPR state license also required.
Full Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale or New Orleans?
Fort Lauderdale is classified as "Legal with Permit" while New Orleans is "Restricted." Fort Lauderdale's permit fee is $350 initial registration; $80–$160/year renewal compared to NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year in New Orleans.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Fort Lauderdale or New Orleans?
Fort Lauderdale charges ~13% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1% surtax), 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?
Fort Lauderdale: $250/uncontested violation; up to $15,000/day during suspension. New Orleans: $1,000/violation; platforms fined $1,000/day per illegal listing.