Saint Bernard, Louisiana Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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]

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Saint Bernard?

Saint Bernard hosts earn a median $27,064/year with $235 ADR and 42% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $44,667+ per year.

See the full Saint Bernard market breakdown

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]

Next step

Found a property in Saint Bernard?

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 Saint Bernard

Saint-Bernard is a small unincorporated community in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, situated in the broad Mississippi River delta just southeast of New Orleans. The community sits within a parish of roughly 47,000 residents and has a quiet, working-class character shaped by fishing, marshland, and a distinct blend of Cajun, Creole, and Isleño (Canary Island descendant) heritage. It lies only about 10 to 15 miles southeast of downtown New Orleans, generally a 20- to 30-minute drive depending on traffic, and is best known as a gateway to the bayous, marshes, and Civil War–era history of the lower Mississippi delta.

One of the area's most significant historic sites is Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve — Chalmette Battlefield, which preserves the site of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans and the nearby Chalmette Monument, just a short drive west along the river road. The park interprets the climactic engagement of the War of 1812 and offers walking trails, a visitor center, and views of the river levee, making it an easy half-day excursion from Saint-Bernard.

The Los Isleños Museum Complex in nearby St. Bernard Village celebrates the Canary Islanders who settled the bayou country in the late 1700s, with restored cottages, a cemetery, and exhibits on fishing, language, and folk traditions unique to the community. It is only a few minutes from Saint-Bernard and offers a focused look at a culture found almost nowhere else in the United States. For outdoor recreation, St. Bernard State Park provides campsites, a wave-shaped swimming pool, a playground, and a launch into the cypress-lined bayou that is popular for canoeing, crabbing, and birding.

Beyond these anchors, the parish is threaded with bayous, bayou-side landings, and marsh roads that lead to Shell Beach on Lake Borgne, where visitors commonly fish for speckled trout, redfish, and drum. Guided swamp and airboat tours depart from various points throughout the parish, offering a more intimate, less touristed alternative to the swamp experiences closer to the city itself.

Saint-Bernard's appeal as a short-term-rental base lies in this combination of proximity and contrast. Guests can be in the French Quarter or at a Saints game in roughly half an hour, then return to a quieter, distinctly south-Louisiana setting of bayous, historic villages, and seafood shacks, all without sacrificing the cultural draw of greater New Orleans. That balance of accessibility and local character makes the community a natural fit for travelers who want a New Orleans visit with a different backdrop.