New Orleans vs Portland

Louisiana Restricted | Oregon Legal but Limited

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

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
Portland, Oregon
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $65 (Type A single dwelling); $105 (Type A multi-dwelling)
Tax Rate 11.5% Transient Lodging Tax (6% city + 5.5% county) + 3% TID + 1.5% state
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Every 2 years
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Up to $26,201 across five violation types; permit revocation with 2-year ban

Portland has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

New Orleans charges NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year for STR licensing, while Portland charges $65 (Type A single dwelling); $105 (Type A multi-dwelling). New Orleans renewal is annual, and Portland renewal is every 2 years. Overall, Portland has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal but Limited) compared to New Orleans (Restricted).

Tax Obligations

In New Orleans, hosts pay 5% sales tax + 6.75% occupancy tax + $5–$12/night occupancy fee. In Portland, hosts pay 11.5% Transient Lodging Tax (6% city + 5.5% county) + 3% TID + 1.5% state. 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 New Orleans face penalties including $1,000/violation; platforms fined $1,000/day per illegal listing. In Portland, violations can result in Up to $26,201 across five violation types; permit revocation with 2-year ban. Both cities actively enforce their STR regulations, so securing proper licensing before listing is essential in either market.

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 →

Portland Overview

Only accessory (hosted) short-term rentals allowed; resident must occupy the dwelling at least 270 days/year. Type A permits allow up to 2 bedrooms and 5 guests. Whole-home unhosted rentals are prohibited.

Contact: Portland Permitting & Development — (503) 823-2633

Full Portland guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in New Orleans or Portland?
New Orleans is classified as "Restricted" while Portland is "Legal but Limited." New Orleans's permit fee is NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year compared to $65 (Type A single dwelling); $105 (Type A multi-dwelling) in Portland. Overall, Portland has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — New Orleans or Portland?
New Orleans charges 5% sales tax + 6.75% occupancy tax + $5–$12/night occupancy fee, while Portland charges 11.5% Transient Lodging Tax (6% city + 5.5% county) + 3% TID + 1.5% state.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
New Orleans: $1,000/violation; platforms fined $1,000/day per illegal listing. Portland: Up to $26,201 across five violation types; permit revocation with 2-year ban. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do New Orleans and Portland have day limits for Airbnb?
New Orleans has no annual day limit. Portland has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — New Orleans or Portland?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: New Orleans charges NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year for permits with 5% sales tax + 6.75% occupancy tax + $5–$12/night occupancy fee in taxes. Portland charges $65 (Type A single dwelling); $105 (Type A multi-dwelling) with 11.5% Transient Lodging Tax (6% city + 5.5% county) + 3% TID + 1.5% state. Automatic tax collection in New Orleans and Portland makes compliance easier for beginners.