Miami vs New Orleans

Florida Restricted | Louisiana Restricted

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

Miami, Florida
Status Restricted
Permit Fee $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee
Tax Rate 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort tax)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual (city); Biennial (state)
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $20,000 lien per violation by code enforcement
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

Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments.

Permits & Licensing

Miami charges $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee for STR licensing, while New Orleans charges NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year. Miami renewal is annual (city); biennial (state), and New Orleans renewal is annual. Both cities share a similar regulatory stance, classified as "Restricted."

Tax Obligations

In Miami, hosts pay 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort 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 Miami face penalties including $20,000 lien per violation by code enforcement. 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.

Miami Overview

STRs restricted to commercially zoned or mixed-use areas. Single-family residential neighborhoods generally prohibit STRs. State preemption law limits some local regulations. Both city Certificate of Use and state DBPR license required.

Contact: Miami Planning & Zoning — (305) 416-1400

Full Miami 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 Miami or New Orleans?
Miami is classified as "Restricted" while New Orleans is "Restricted." Miami's permit fee is $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee compared to NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year in New Orleans. Both cities have comparable regulatory frameworks.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Miami or New Orleans?
Miami charges 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort 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?
Miami: $20,000 lien per violation by code enforcement. 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 Miami and New Orleans have day limits for Airbnb?
Miami has no annual day limit. New Orleans has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Miami or New Orleans?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Miami charges $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee for permits with 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort 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 Miami and New Orleans makes compliance easier for beginners.