New Orleans vs Philadelphia
Louisiana Restricted | Pennsylvania Legal with Permit
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | New Orleans, Louisiana | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Restricted | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year | $50 Limited Lodging license |
| Tax Rate | 5% sales tax + 6.75% occupancy tax + $5–$12/night occupancy fee | 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit | 180 days/year |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Annual |
| Platform Remits Taxes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $1,000/violation; platforms fined $1,000/day per illegal listing | $300/day for unlicensed rental |
| Verdict | Philadelphia has more favorable STR regulations overall. | |
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
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $50 Limited Lodging license
Tax Rate 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax
Day Limit 180 days/year
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $300/day for unlicensed rental
Philadelphia has more favorable STR regulations overall.
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 →Philadelphia Overview
Limited Lodging license required. Primary residence only, capped at 180 days/year for unhosted rentals. Hosted (owner-present) stays have no day cap. Must carry liability insurance.
Full Philadelphia guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in New Orleans or Philadelphia?
New Orleans is classified as "Restricted" while Philadelphia is "Legal with Permit." New Orleans's permit fee is NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year compared to $50 Limited Lodging license in Philadelphia.
Which city has higher STR taxes — New Orleans or Philadelphia?
New Orleans charges 5% sales tax + 6.75% occupancy tax + $5–$12/night occupancy fee, while Philadelphia charges 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax. Compare the full breakdown in the table above.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
New Orleans: $1,000/violation; platforms fined $1,000/day per illegal listing. Philadelphia: $300/day for unlicensed rental.