Gatlinburg vs New Orleans

Tennessee Legal with Permit | Louisiana Restricted

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

Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $200 (2-bedroom or fewer); $75 per additional bedroom
Tax Rate 12.75% combined (7% state sales + 2.75% local sales + 3% hotel/motel tax) + 3% Sevier County lodging tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $50/day per violation; permit suspension/revocation 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

Gatlinburg has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Gatlinburg charges $200 (2-bedroom or fewer); $75 per additional bedroom for STR licensing, while New Orleans charges NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year. Gatlinburg renewal is annual, and New Orleans renewal is annual. Overall, Gatlinburg has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to New Orleans (Restricted).

Tax Obligations

In Gatlinburg, hosts pay 12.75% combined (7% state sales + 2.75% local sales + 3% hotel/motel tax) + 3% Sevier County lodging 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 Gatlinburg face penalties including $50/day per violation; permit suspension/revocation 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.

Gatlinburg Overview

Tourist Residency Permit required with annual inspection. STRs prohibited in R-1A and R-2A zones. Properties over 3 stories or 12+ occupants require sprinkler systems.

Contact: Building & Planning Department — (865) 436-7792

Full Gatlinburg 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 Gatlinburg or New Orleans?
Gatlinburg is classified as "Legal with Permit" while New Orleans is "Restricted." Gatlinburg's permit fee is $200 (2-bedroom or fewer); $75 per additional bedroom compared to NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year in New Orleans. Overall, Gatlinburg has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Gatlinburg or New Orleans?
Gatlinburg charges 12.75% combined (7% state sales + 2.75% local sales + 3% hotel/motel tax) + 3% Sevier County lodging 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?
Gatlinburg: $50/day per violation; permit suspension/revocation 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 Gatlinburg and New Orleans have day limits for Airbnb?
Gatlinburg has no annual day limit. New Orleans has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Gatlinburg or New Orleans?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Gatlinburg charges $200 (2-bedroom or fewer); $75 per additional bedroom for permits with 12.75% combined (7% state sales + 2.75% local sales + 3% hotel/motel tax) + 3% Sevier County lodging 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 Gatlinburg and New Orleans makes compliance easier for beginners.