Plaquemine, Louisiana Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Executive Summary

Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Plaquemine, LA. The city has not enacted specific prohibitions or comprehensive regulations targeting short-term rental operations. Louisiana HB354, which authorizes Plaquemine to levy a hotel occupancy tax, specifically excludes "stays of less than 30 days" from the definition of "hotel," effectively recognizing and exempting short-term rentals from this tax regime.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Plaquemine?

Plaquemine hosts earn a median $22,030/year with $170 ADR and 55% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $26,863+ per year.

See the full Plaquemine market breakdown

Market Entry Strategy for Short-Term Rentals

1. Initial Market Assessment

No zoning restrictions identified: Current zoning ordinances (Chapter 23) do not contain specific provisions prohibiting short-term rental operations
Bed and breakfast allowances: The zoning code specifically permits bed and breakfast establishments in multiple residential districts (R-10, R-9, R-6, R-4), with occupancy limits of 3 rooms and 6 guests
Home occupation provisions: The city allows home offices/home occupations with proper compliance

2. Property Acquisition Considerations

Verify property is in an approved zoning district for your intended STR operation
Consider proximity to residential areas and potential neighborhood compatibility
Review any homeowners association restrictions if applicable
Ensure compliance with basic residential use standards

3. Business Structure Recommendations

Establish proper business entity structure
Obtain federal EIN and state tax identification
Consider short-term rental insurance policies
Implement professional property management if not self-managing

Required Documentation and Permits

Business Licensing

Current Status: No specific STR licenses identified

Monitor city hall for any new ordinance developments
Check with Iberville Parish for any parish-level requirements
Standard business registration with Louisiana Secretary of State may be required

Property Standards

Building compliance: Ensure property meets International Building Code standards adopted by Louisiana
Safety requirements: Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors where applicable
Occupancy limits: Follow residential zoning occupancy standards unless specifically superseded
Parking compliance: Adequate parking for anticipated guests

Tax Considerations

Hotel occupancy tax: Not applicable to STRs (specifically excluded under HB354)
Sales tax: Standard Louisiana sales tax may apply to STR transactions
Income tax: STR income subject to federal and state income taxes
Property tax: Standard residential property tax assessment applies

Regulatory Framework Analysis

City of Plaquemine Regulations

Current Status: No specific STR ordinances

The City of Plaquemine's current Code of Ordinances Chapter 23 (Zoning) does not contain specific short-term rental provisions. However, the following general regulations apply:

Zoning Compliance

Residential uses: STR operations must comply with underlying residential zoning requirements
Bed and breakfast precedent: Specifically permitted in R-10, R-9, R-6, R-4 districts as principal use
Accessory use potential: May qualify as accessory use under home occupation provisions

General Municipal Compliance

Nuisance standards: Properties must comply with nuisance abatement procedures
Condemnation standards: Properties must meet housing code requirements
Building permits: Any renovations or alterations require proper permits

Iberville Parish Regulations

Current Status: No specific parish STR regulations identified in provided materials

Louisiana State Regulations

State-level considerations:

Occupancy tax: HB354 excludes STRs from hotel occupancy tax
Building codes: Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code applies
Health department: Any food service components may require health permits
Alcohol service: Separate licensing required for any alcohol service

Contact Information

City of Plaquemine - Primary Authority

Address: City Hall, 23640 Railroad Avenue, Plaquemine, LA 70764
Phone: [Contact city hall for current number]
Website: www.plaquemine.org
Key Departments:

Building/Zoning Department: For property compliance questions
City Clerk's Office: For business license inquiries
Mayor's Office: For policy questions

Iberville Parish Government

Address: Iberville Parish Courthouse, [Specific address needed]
Phone: [Contact parish for current number]
Website: [ Iberville Parish website needed]

Louisiana State Resources

Louisiana Secretary of State Business Services: For business entity formation
Louisiana Department of Revenue: For tax questions
Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control: If alcohol service planned

Compliance Monitoring and Future Developments

Recommended Monitoring

City Council meetings: Regular attendance or monitoring for STR-related ordinances
Planning Commission agenda: Watch for zoning amendments
Parish government meetings: Monitor for parish-level regulations
Industry associations: Louisiana Short-Term Rental Association updates

Potential Regulatory Developments

Based on regional trends, consider future requirements for:

Registration requirements: Similar to other Louisiana cities
Safety inspections: Fire safety, occupancy compliance
Tax remittance: Municipal hospitality taxes
Occupancy limits: Guest caps and parking requirements
Noise and nuisance standards: Guest conduct regulations

Sources and References

Louisiana HB354 (2023) - Hotel Occupancy Tax Authorization
- Bill Text: https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1308102
- Bill Summary: https://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1308111
- Bill Detail: https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1614530
City of Plaquemine Code of Ordinances Chapter 23 (Zoning)
- Source: Plaquemine City Council Meeting Minutes, April 9, 2019
- Available through: https://www.plaquemine.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_04092019-88
Additional Resources for Ongoing Research:
- Plaquemine Municipal Code: https://library.municode.com/la/plaquemine
- Louisiana Legislature: https://www.legis.la.gov

Important Disclaimers

This analysis is based solely on the provided source materials. The regulatory landscape for short-term rentals can change rapidly. Investors should:

Verify current regulations with city and parish authorities before making investment decisions
Consult with local legal counsel familiar with Louisiana short-term rental law
Monitor municipal meetings and proposed ordinances regularly
Consider that neighboring jurisdictions may have different regulatory approaches

Last Updated: Based on materials provided through 2023-2025 period Next Review Recommended: Quarterly monitoring of municipal developments

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult with qualified local professionals before making investment decisions.

Next step

Found a property in Plaquemine?

Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.

Ask the AI Advisor about Plaquemine

Plaquemine is a small historic city in Iberville Parish, Louisiana, situated on the western bank of the Mississippi River and serving as the parish seat. With a population of roughly 7,000 residents, it carries the unhurried pace of a Southern river town while remaining closely tied to the broader Baton Rouge metropolitan economy just upstream. The community is best known for its storied connection to the Mississippi River and as a gateway to the surrounding plantation country, the Atchafalaya Basin, and the industrial corridor that defines much of south Louisiana. It lies about fifteen miles south of Baton Rouge, making it a quiet counterpoint to the capital city's bustle without being far from its amenities, universities, and medical centers.

A defining landmark in town is the Plaquemine Lock State Historic Site, a once-mighty structure on the Mississippi River that, when it opened in 1909, was the largest lock of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. Visitors can climb to the top of the original lock walls, walk along the historic catwalks, and learn about the ambitious engineering project that aimed to connect the Mississippi to the Intracoastal Waterway via Bayou Plaquemine. The site offers a striking view of working river traffic and is only a few minutes from the center of town.

Just a short drive south of Plaquemine sits Nottoway Plantation, one of the South's most photographed antebellum estates and reputedly the largest surviving antebellum mansion in the region. Set along the River Road in nearby White Castle, the white-columned Greek Revival and Italianate mansion sits among ancient live oaks and manicured grounds, and operates as both a museum and an inn. It draws visitors interested in Louisiana's complicated plantation history, and many combine a tour here with day trips to other River Road plantations further south.

Northwest of Plaquemine, the vast Atchafalaya Basin spreads across more than a million acres of cypress swamp, bayous, and bottomland hardwood forest, representing the largest wetland area in the United States. Within about an hour's drive, visitors can board guided swamp tours, fish for bass and crawfish, or paddle through the bayous at places like the Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge. The basin offers an immersive look at the wild side of Louisiana that complements the more genteel attractions along the River Road.

Plaquemine appeals to short-term rental investors because it offers a genuinely authentic Louisiana experience within easy reach of Baton Rouge, the plantation corridor, and the Atchafalaya wilderness. Visitors who choose to stay here can pair a quiet, walkable small-town atmosphere with day trips to nationally significant historic estates and one of the country's most distinctive ecosystems, giving the area a depth of appeal that goes well beyond what its modest size might suggest.