New Orleans Planning Commission Recommends Limits for Short-Term Rentals

The New Orleans Planning Commission this week made several recommendations regarding the regulation of short-term rentals. "The commission voted 8-1 to legalize owner-occupied short-term rentals and allow homeowners to rent out their whole homes for 30 days out of the year," reports Katherine Sayre, but "the commission rejected a controversial proposal to allow entire houses to essentially be converted to vacation rentals year-round."

"The Planning Commission considered creating four categories of short-term rentals," adds Sayre, "but the most controversial whole-home category was removed from the proposal before the vote." Instead the commission recommends categories of accessory (space in an owner-occupied home), temporary (entire home for up to 30 days a year), and commercial (houses and condos in commercial areas).

The City Council must still make a final decision.