Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals (STRs) Allowed in St. Bernard, LA?

Yes. Short-term rentals are allowed in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. The parish government explicitly permits “Short-Term Rental (STR) Primary Structures” that are rented for periods of less than 30 consecutive days. The operation may be subject to hotel tax. STRs are regulated at the parish level (there is no separate city-level framework in St. Bernard Parish), and hosts must obtain a local permit before operating. The parish’s Department of Community Development administers the permitting process under Ordinance Chapter 22-5-4. [Source: www.sbpg.net/DocumentCenter/View/3482/Short-Term-Rental-Application]

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in St. Bernard, LA

• Confirm your property’s zoning allows STR use and determine the number of sleeping rooms.
• Identify and designate a local contact for the STR (name, address, phone, email).
• Prepare the required submittals: recorded title, proposed site and floor plans, home inspection report, proof of insurance, and an occupational license.
• Complete the Short-Term Rental Application (St. Bernard Parish Ordinance Chapter 22-5-4) and submit it with the submittals and the $500 annual fee.
• Maintain compliance: operating without a permit is prohibited; the parish may suspend or revoke a permit if issued in error or based on false information.
• Monitor state and local tax obligations (including hotel occupancy tax) and obtain any necessary state registrations. [Sources: www.sbpg.net/DocumentCenter/View/3482/Short-Term-Rental-Application; www.sbpg.net/207/Community-Development; www.lodgecompliance.com/states/louisiana]

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Short-Term Rental Application (Form) [Required]
• Annual Fee: $500 [Required]
• Recorded Title (copy of recorded deed or title documentation) [Required]
• Proposed Site Plan [Required]
• Floor Plan [Required]
• Home Inspection [Required]
• Proof of Insurance [Required]
• Occupational License [Required]
• STR Contact Information (local contact name, address, phone, email) [Required]
• Property Owner Information (name, address, phone, email) [Required]
• Compliance with parish ordinances; any scope or cost change must be reported and may require additional permits. [Source: www.sbpg.net/DocumentCenter/View/3482/Short-Term-Rental-Application]

Notes:

• The application may be submitted via the parish’s online portal (MyPermitNow). See the department’s “How To” instructions under Building Permits on the Community Development page. [Source: www.sbpg.net/207/Community-Development]

Specific Regulations (Parish, County, and State)

• St. Bernard Parish Ordinance Chapter 22-5-4 governs STRs. “Primary structures” rented for less than 30 consecutive days are defined as STRs; they may be subject to hotel tax.
• The Department of Community Development administers STR permits and enforces zoning and building code compliance.
• State of Louisiana:
  • Statewide sales tax applies (generally 4.45%). State safety standards are overseen by the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office (e.g., smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, egress signage, hazard elimination, occupancy limits).
  • Local lodging/hotel occupancy taxes often apply; hosts are responsible for registering and remitting applicable taxes to state and local authorities.
  • Hosts should obtain a sales tax registration certificate and any other local tax registrations required by the parish or municipality. [Sources: www.lodgecompliance.com/states/louisiana; www.sbpg.net/DocumentCenter/View/3482/Short-Term-Rental-Application; www.sbpg.net/207/Community-Development]

What is not clearly defined in the provided sources:

• Zoning restrictions (which zoning districts permit STRs) and any occupancy caps.
• Local hotel occupancy tax rate and filing cadence in St. Bernard Parish.
• Advertising requirements, neighbor notification rules, noise restrictions, parking limits, guest recordkeeping, and cap on number of STRs.

Action item: Consult the St. Bernard Parish Code of Ordinances via Municode and the parish website for additional operational rules and tax specifics. [Sources: library.municode.com/la/st._bernard_parish/codes/code_of_ordinances; www.sbpnola.com/]

Contact Information for Local STR Authority

• Department: St. Bernard Parish Government — Department of Community Development
• Address: 8201 W Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette, LA 70043
• Office Phone: 504-278-4200 (general)
• Direct/Community Development (from application form): 504-278-4310
• Fax: 504-278-4298
• Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Online portal (permits/applications): MyPermitNow customer portal (see department’s “Apply Online – Pay Online” guidance)

Sources: www.sbpg.net/207/Community-Development; www.sbpg.net/DocumentCenter/View/3482/Short-Term-Rental-Application

Links to Source Pages

• St. Bernard Parish Government — Short-Term Rental Application: www.sbpg.net/DocumentCenter/View/3482/Short-Term-Rental-Application
• St. Bernard Parish Government — Community Development (permits and guidance): www.sbpg.net/207/Community-Development
• Louisiana Short-Term Rental Regulations (state-level overview): www.lodgecompliance.com/states/louisiana
• St. Bernard Parish Code of Ordinances (Municode): library.municode.com/la/st._bernard_parish/codes/code_of_ordinances
• St. Bernard Parish Official Website: www.sbpnola.com/

Final Compliance Checklist for St. Bernard Parish STR Operators

• Confirm zoning allows STR use; determine number of sleeping rooms.
• Complete and submit the STR application with all required submittals and the $500 annual fee.
• Designate a local contact; ensure contact information is current and accessible to guests and authorities.
• Obtain and maintain required insurance; keep proofs on file.
• Obtain an occupational license.
• Conduct a home inspection; keep the report available for inspection.
• Prepare and maintain site and floor plans.
• Register for state sales tax and any applicable local lodging taxes; set up remittance processes.
• Maintain ongoing compliance with all parish ordinances and state safety requirements; report any project changes to the Department of Safety and Permits.
• Monitor parish code updates and official guidance to avoid lapses. [Sources: www.sbpg.net/DocumentCenter/View/3482/Short-Term-Rental-Application; www.sbpg.net/207/Community-Development; www.lodgecompliance.com/states/louisiana]