New OrleansShort-term rental rules

Vacation market / Louisiana

STR licenses are nontransferable. Residential and commercial applications follow different approval paths.

Research reviewed Oct 31, 2026. Primary sources linked.

Compare this market What changed Start a property worksheet

Does the operating permit transfer?: New application
The city expressly says STR licenses are nontransferable. A buyer must establish eligibility for a new license under the applicable NSTR or CSTR process.
Can the land-use approval continue?: Verify the property approval
The operating-permit rule does not establish whether this parcel’s zoning approval, variance or older-use protection continues. Obtain the actual approval and its conditions.
Can this buyer obtain approval?: NSTR licensing uses a one-per-square limit and lotteries. CSTR applicants must obtain zoning review and conditional-use approval before submitting the license application. A property's commercial zoning alone does not supply a license.
License or registration: The Department of Safety and Permits administers Non-Commercial STR (NSTR) and Commercial STR (CSTR) licenses, with renewal requirements.
Application availability: NSTR lottery schedule published
The city publishes residential lottery dates through January 2027. Commercial applications follow a separate zoning and conditional-use process.
Timing to verify: No sale-specific deadline was established in this summary. Ask the issuing office about filing, renewal and any interruption in operation.
Changes and uncertainty: On August 5, 2026, the Fifth Circuit affirmed dismissal of the claims before it in Bodin, including the hosts' takings claim and Airbnb's Section 230 claim. The city continues to publish NSTR lottery dates through January 2027.

What this means for the appraisal

Obtain the buyer application requirements and confirm the earliest approved operating date before assuming continuity of rental income.
Verify the property’s land-use approval and continuation conditions. Research finding: Verify the property approval.
Check the proposed buyer against the recorded requirements: NSTR licensing uses a one-per-square limit and lotteries. CSTR applicants must obtain zoning review and conditional-use approval before submitting the license application. A property's commercial zoning alone does not supply a license.
In the assignment analysis, identify the evidence supporting the proposed rental use, any operating interruption and any unresolved assumptions.

Use these prompts to plan the property review. The appraiser must evaluate the evidence and reach the assignment-specific conclusions.

Record the property evidence in a worksheet

Request documents from the owner or agent

Copy this market-specific request, add the property address and edit it for the assignment.

Read or select the document request

Document request for New Orleans

Subject: STR property document request | New Orleans, LA

Please provide the following documents for the property under review. Identify any item that is unavailable or does not apply.

1. Property address, parcel ID and confirmation of the governing jurisdiction.
2. Current operating permit or registration, named holder, expiration date and renewal history, if applicable.
3. Written ownership-change instructions from the issuing office. Guide finding: The city expressly says STR licenses are nontransferable. A buyer must establish eligibility for a new license under the applicable NSTR or CSTR process.
4. Zoning approval, conditional-use permit, variance or grandfathering record, including conditions and evidence of continued use. Guide finding: The operating-permit rule does not establish whether this parcel’s zoning approval, variance or older-use protection continues. Obtain the actual approval and its conditions.
5. Documents addressing the proposed buyer and property requirements: NSTR licensing uses a one-per-square limit and lotteries. CSTR applicants must obtain zoning review and conditional-use approval before submitting the license application. A property's commercial zoning alone does not supply a license.
6. Current confirmation of application availability, including any cap, waitlist, lottery or separation rule. Guide finding: The city publishes residential lottery dates through January 2027. Commercial applications follow a separate zoning and conditional-use process.
7. Recorded covenants, HOA or condominium rental restrictions and applicable lease restrictions.
8. Rental operating statements and booking records, with the periods covered and any anticipated interruption at closing.

Market research reviewed: 2026-10-31. These requests need property-specific verification.
Official research sources:
STR Administration: license paths, renewals and lotteries: https://nola.gov/next/short-term-rental-administration/home/
Bodin v. New Orleans, No. 25-30524, August 5, 2026: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/25/25-30524-CV0.pdf

Subject: STR property document request | New Orleans, LA

Please provide the following documents for the property under review. Identify any item that is unavailable or does not apply.

1. Property address, parcel ID and confirmation of the governing jurisdiction.
2. Current operating permit or registration, named holder, expiration date and renewal history, if applicable.
3. Written ownership-change instructions from the issuing office. Guide finding: The city expressly says STR licenses are nontransferable. A buyer must establish eligibility for a new license under the applicable NSTR or CSTR process.
4. Zoning approval, conditional-use permit, variance or grandfathering record, including conditions and evidence of continued use. Guide finding: The operating-permit rule does not establish whether this parcel’s zoning approval, variance or older-use protection continues. Obtain the actual approval and its conditions.
5. Documents addressing the proposed buyer and property requirements: NSTR licensing uses a one-per-square limit and lotteries. CSTR applicants must obtain zoning review and conditional-use approval before submitting the license application. A property's commercial zoning alone does not supply a license.
6. Current confirmation of application availability, including any cap, waitlist, lottery or separation rule. Guide finding: The city publishes residential lottery dates through January 2027. Commercial applications follow a separate zoning and conditional-use process.
7. Recorded covenants, HOA or condominium rental restrictions and applicable lease restrictions.
8. Rental operating statements and booking records, with the periods covered and any anticipated interruption at closing.

Market research reviewed: 2026-10-31. These requests need property-specific verification.
Official research sources:
STR Administration: license paths, renewals and lotteries: https://nola.gov/next/short-term-rental-administration/home/
Bodin v. New Orleans, No. 25-30524, August 5, 2026: https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/25/25-30524-CV0.pdf

Research and guide updates

Oct 31, 2026 Research record: Research recorded for this market. Primary sources linked. See the findings, open questions and official sources below.
Nov 1, 2026 Guide tools: Added assignment prompts, a document request and consistent research questions. This tool update does not change the market research date.

Changes and uncertainty to verify

On August 5, 2026, the Fifth Circuit affirmed dismissal of the claims before it in Bodin, including the hosts' takings claim and Airbnb's Section 230 claim. The city continues to publish NSTR lottery dates through January 2027.

Sources and research limits

The sale summary cites official code, program guidance or a court record. Read its scope and any remaining questions; it is not a parcel determination.

Use this summary to identify the documents and questions for a property review. A seller's rental history alone does not establish a buyer's permission to operate.

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