Nashville vs New Orleans
Tennessee Legal but Limited | Louisiana Restricted
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Nashville, Tennessee | New Orleans, Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Legal but Limited | Restricted |
| Permit Fee | $313 permit fee | NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year |
| Tax Rate | 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax | 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 | $50/day for operating without permit; civil penalties up to $500,000 for repeated violations | $1,000/violation; platforms fined $1,000/day per illegal listing |
| Verdict | Nashville has more favorable STR regulations overall. | |
Nashville, Tennessee
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $313 permit fee
Tax Rate 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $50/day for operating without permit; civil penalties up to $500,000 for repeated violations
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
Nashville has more favorable STR regulations overall.
Nashville Overview
Owner-occupied permits allowed in all zones. Non-owner-occupied permits frozen — no new applications accepted in most residential zones since 2015. Existing non-owner permits are non-transferable.
Full Nashville 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 Nashville or New Orleans?
Nashville is classified as "Legal but Limited" while New Orleans is "Restricted." Nashville's permit fee is $313 permit fee compared to NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year in New Orleans.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Nashville or New Orleans?
Nashville charges 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax, 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?
Nashville: $50/day for operating without permit; civil penalties up to $500,000 for repeated violations. New Orleans: $1,000/violation; platforms fined $1,000/day per illegal listing.