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Metairie, LA

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STR Regulations for Metairie, Louisiana

Overview: Are short-term rentals allowed in Metairie?

Short-term rentals (STRs) are allowed in Metairie, but only under strict conditions. Jefferson Parish prohibits STRs in single‑use residential zoning districts. They are permitted in mixed‑use and commercial zoning districts, subject to the parish’s lodging licensing, zoning clearance, safety and operational standards, and annual renewals. Importantly, STRs remain prohibited within 300 feet of residential zones even when located in a commercial/mixed‑use district.

  • Definition in Jefferson Parish: rental for fewer than 45 days.
  • STRs in residential single‑use districts: prohibited.
  • STRs in mixed‑use/commercial districts: allowed only if compliant with distance, licensing, and safety standards.
  • Licensing is required and must be renewed annually by November 1.

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Metairie hosts earn a median $20,969/year with $101 ADR and 74% occupancy.

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See the full Metairie market breakdown

How to start an STR business in Metairie (Jefferson Parish)

The parish requires a multi‑step process that must be completed before operation:

  1. Zoning Clearance (Primary Residence Required)
  • Apply for a zoning clearance using My Government Online.
  • Provide documentation that the unit is your primary residence (for example, a homestead exemption for the property).
  • Confirm that your zoning district allows STRs (mixed‑use or commercial). Residential single‑use districts do not qualify.
  1. Occupational License
  • Take your zoning clearance to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office (JPSO) to obtain an occupational license.
  1. Lodging License and STR Permit Application
  • Log back into My Government Online and submit:
    • Completed lodging license application and the Short‑Term Rental Application.
    • Applicable ownership affidavit (Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, or Corporation).
    • Processing fee of $750.00 (due at application; this is an annual fee while operating).
  • After submission, the parish will:
    • Conduct a criminal background check via JPSO.
    • Perform an interior inspection by Code Compliance and Enforcement to verify compliance with safety and operational standards.
    • Issue the STR Lodging Accommodation License upon approvals.
  1. Annual Renewal (Due by November 1)
  • Renew your lodging license and pay the $750 annual processing fee on or before November 1 each year to avoid citations and fines.

Key application forms are available via the parish’s Document Center. Submit the application, affidavit, and fee online through My Government Online.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

  • Zoning Clearance (via My Government Online).
  • Proof of primary residence (e.g., homestead exemption).
  • Occupational license from JPSO.
  • Short‑Term Rental Application (PDF).
  • Lodging License Application (PDF).
  • Ownership affidavit (choose one):
    • Hotel‑Motel Corporation Affidavit (PDF)
    • Hotel‑Motel Partnership Affidavit (PDF)
    • Hotel‑Motel Proprietorship Affidavit (PDF)
  • Processing fee: $750.00 (annual).
  • Hotel/Motel application fee (if also operating a traditional lodging business): $50 (note: STRs use the $750 processing fee specifically).
  • Compliance with Chapter 17.5 of the Jefferson Parish Code of Ordinances (lodging accommodation standards) and JPCO Section 33‑5.3.12.5(7) (zoning and use standards for STRs).
  • Successful interior inspection verifying safety and operational compliance.

Specific regulations (Jefferson Parish and Louisiana context)

  • Zoning:
    • STRs are prohibited in single‑use residential zoning districts.
    • STRs are allowed in mixed‑use and commercial districts, but are prohibited within 300 feet of residential zones even when in a commercial/mixed‑use area.
  • Licensing:
    • Lodging license required prior to operation.
    • Annual renewal required by November 1.
    • Processing fee of $750 due at application and each renewal year while operating.
    • A zoning clearance confirming STR‑eligible zoning and proof of primary residence must be obtained before applying for the lodging license.
  • Operational standards:
    • STRs must meet lodging accommodation standards under Chapter 17.5 and use standards under Section 33‑5.3.12.5(7).
    • Interior inspection is required; properties must conform to safety and operational standards.
  • Enforcement:
    • The parish issues citations for operating without proper licensing and for non‑compliance with Chapter 17.5 and Section 33‑5.3.12.5(7). Potential fines and penalties may be incurred.
  • State context (Louisiana):
    • There is no statewide STR licensing regime. Oversight is localized.
    • STR operators must collect and remit applicable state sales taxes and local lodging taxes. Combined rates in Jefferson Parish (including sales and lodging taxes) typically fall within the 10–11% range.

Important note on municipal rules: Metairie is an unincorporated area of Jefferson Parish. If you are evaluating New Orleans (Orleans Parish) listings separately, be aware that New Orleans’ rules are distinct (for example, separate categories for Non‑Commercial and Commercial STRs, strict zoning restrictions, permit lotteries, and as of June 2023, no new Commercial STR applications accepted). This guide addresses Jefferson Parish only.

Contact information (local authority in charge of STRs)

  • Jefferson Parish Code Compliance and Enforcement (for licensing/inspection questions, and to report violations):
    • Phone: 504‑364‑3560
  • Online applications and document submissions:
    • My Government Online portal
  • Physical addresses for parish offices:
    • East Bank: Joseph S. Yenni Building, 1221 Elmwood Park Boulevard, Jefferson, LA 70123
    • West Bank: General Government Building, 200 Derbigny Street, Gretna, LA 70053

Links to source pages

Practical takeaways for investors:

  • Verify zoning first; only mixed‑use or commercial districts are viable, and the 300‑foot buffer from residential zones applies.
  • Prepare your primary‑residence documentation early to streamline the zoning clearance.
  • Budget for the $750 annual processing fee and set a renewal calendar with November 1 as the deadline.
  • Anticipate an interior inspection and ensure the property meets Chapter 17.5 safety and operational standards before listing.
  • Track parish updates to zoning and enforcement practices to protect your investment.

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Metairie

Market Saturation Score

036912
High Saturation
8/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
8–10 declining months: high saturation - supply likely outpacing demand.
View Full Metairie Market Analysis

Photos of Metairie

Overview of Metairie

Metairie is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, situated along the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain just west of New Orleans. With a population of roughly 140,000 residents, it functions as the commercial and retail heart of the New Orleans metropolitan area outside the city proper, drawing visitors with its dense concentration of restaurants, shopping centers, hotels, and entertainment venues. The community is best known as a convenient, suburban gateway to New Orleans, offering easier parking and a calmer base than the French Quarter while remaining within a short drive of the city's most famous attractions. Metairie sits only about five to eight miles west of downtown New Orleans, typically reachable in fifteen to twenty minutes by car depending on traffic, and it shares the metro area's deep ties to Mardi Gras, jazz, and Creole and Cajun culture.

Just north of the community's main commercial corridor, Lafreniere Park spreads across several hundred acres of green space and offers a welcome change of pace from the urban density of the surrounding neighborhoods. The park features walking and biking trails, picnic areas, a lagoon system popular for birdwatching, a disc golf course, and a seasonal splash pad, making it a favorite of both locals and visiting families looking for an easy outdoor outing close to their rental.

A short drive through the heart of Metairie brings visitors to the Metairie Cemetery, a historic above-ground burial ground that reflects the distinctive funerary architecture of the greater New Orleans region. Established in the nineteenth century, the cemetery is known for its ornate family tombs, mausoleums, and the stories of the prominent Louisiana families interred within, offering a quieter, more contemplative alternative to the busier cemeteries across the parish line in New Orleans.

The shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain defines the northern edge of Metairie and serves as a major recreational anchor for the community. The lake, one of the largest inland bodies of water in the United States, supports boating, sailing, kayaking, and fishing, while the surrounding levee-top paths draw joggers and cyclists with wide-open water views. The neighboring New Orleans Lakefront area adds marinas, seafood restaurants, and the long curve of the southern end of the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, which stretches across the lake toward the North Shore communities.

Metairie's appeal for short-term rental investors lies in the combination of suburban convenience and immediate access to one of the South's most visited destinations. Guests can stay in a quieter, more spacious setting with abundant dining and shopping within walking distance, while still being only minutes from the French Quarter, the Garden District, and the broader cultural calendar of the New Orleans region.

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