New Orleans vs Scottsdale

Louisiana Restricted | Arizona Legal with Permit

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
Scottsdale, Arizona
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $250/year
Tax Rate ~14.27% combined transient occupancy tax (state + county + city)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $500 first violation; $1,000 second; $3,500 third; license suspension after 3 in 12 months

Scottsdale has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

New Orleans charges NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year for STR licensing, while Scottsdale charges $250/year. New Orleans renewal is annual, and Scottsdale renewal is annual. Overall, Scottsdale has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) 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 Scottsdale, hosts pay ~14.27% combined transient occupancy tax (state + county + city). 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 Scottsdale, violations can result in $500 first violation; $1,000 second; $3,500 third; license suspension after 3 in 12 months. 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 →

Scottsdale Overview

Ordinance 4566 caps occupancy at 6 adults plus dependent children, requires 1 off-street parking space per bedroom, $500K liability insurance, and neighbor notification within 30 days. Special events and commercial uses prohibited.

Contact: Scottsdale Code Enforcement — (480) 312-2546

Full Scottsdale guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in New Orleans or Scottsdale?
New Orleans is classified as "Restricted" while Scottsdale is "Legal with Permit." New Orleans's permit fee is NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year compared to $250/year in Scottsdale. Overall, Scottsdale has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — New Orleans or Scottsdale?
New Orleans charges 5% sales tax + 6.75% occupancy tax + $5–$12/night occupancy fee, while Scottsdale charges ~14.27% combined transient occupancy tax (state + county + city).
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
New Orleans: $1,000/violation; platforms fined $1,000/day per illegal listing. Scottsdale: $500 first violation; $1,000 second; $3,500 third; license suspension after 3 in 12 months. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do New Orleans and Scottsdale have day limits for Airbnb?
New Orleans has no annual day limit. Scottsdale has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — New Orleans or Scottsdale?
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. Scottsdale charges $250/year with ~14.27% combined transient occupancy tax (state + county + city). Automatic tax collection in New Orleans and Scottsdale makes compliance easier for beginners.