New Orleans vs San Francisco
Louisiana Restricted | California Legal but Limited
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | New Orleans, Louisiana | San Francisco, California |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Restricted | Legal but Limited |
| Permit Fee | NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year | $450 registration fee |
| Tax Rate | 5% sales tax + 6.75% occupancy tax + $5–$12/night occupancy fee | 14% Transient Occupancy Tax |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit | 90 days/year |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Every 2 years |
| Platform Remits Taxes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $1,000/violation; platforms fined $1,000/day per illegal listing | $1,000/day for illegal hosting |
| Verdict | San Francisco 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
San Francisco, California
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $450 registration fee
Tax Rate 14% Transient Occupancy Tax
Day Limit 90 days/year
Renewal Every 2 years
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $1,000/day for illegal hosting
San Francisco 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 →San Francisco Overview
Primary residence only, with a 90-day cap on unhosted stays (unlimited for hosted stays). Hosts must register, carry $500K liability insurance, and pass a fire/safety inspection. Rent-controlled units face additional restrictions.
Full San Francisco guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in New Orleans or San Francisco?
New Orleans is classified as "Restricted" while San Francisco is "Legal but Limited." New Orleans's permit fee is NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year compared to $450 registration fee in San Francisco.
Which city has higher STR taxes — New Orleans or San Francisco?
New Orleans charges 5% sales tax + 6.75% occupancy tax + $5–$12/night occupancy fee, while San Francisco charges 14% Transient Occupancy 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. San Francisco: $1,000/day for illegal hosting.