Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Saint Francisville?

Yes — short-term rentals are allowed in Saint Francisville, but they are tightly regulated and limited to specific commercial zones. As of March 2023, the town adopted a new ordinance that prohibits STRs in purely residential areas and restricts them to two designated locations:

• The pre‑existing Commercial Town Center zone in part of the Historic District
• The newly created Commerce Street Overlay District (along Commerce Street from Wilcox Street south to U.S. 61)

There is also a strict permit cap (one permit per person, nontransferable), occupancy and bedroom limits (up to 12 guests and 4 bedrooms), and a prohibition on commercial/social events at STR properties. Affected existing operators in nonconforming residential areas were required to cease operations by July 1, 2023, after honoring pre‑existing reservations.

If you are targeting the Saint Francisville market, you must:

• Locate your STR inside the permitted zones
• Apply for and hold a town STR permit (one per owner, nontransferable)
• Comply with occupancy, bedroom, and operational limits
• Collect and remit applicable sales and occupancy taxes
• Avoid hosting commercial events

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

The city’s regulatory framework encourages compliant investment within the designated commercial corridors. Use this sequence to set up:

1. Confirm zoning eligibility

• Confirm the property is inside either:
  • Commercial Town Center (Historic District area), or
  • Commerce Street Overlay District (Commerce Street from Wilcox Street south to U.S. 61)
• If outside these zones, an STR use is not permissible.

2. Secure the business prerequisites

• Business license/registration with the Town of Saint Francisville
• Louisiana sales tax registration (for collecting/remitting state sales tax)
• Occupancy tax compliance per town/state guidance (see Taxes section)

3. Apply for the STR permit

• Submit the town STR permit application (one permit per owner; nontransferable)
• Expect inspection/verification as part of the approval process

4. Prepare the property to code

• Meet safety and building standards consistent with short‑term lodging use
• Confirm the property can accommodate the maximums (up to 12 guests and 4 bedrooms)

5. Launch compliant operations

• Display the STR permit number on listings and within the property
• Collect all applicable taxes and file on schedule
• Prohibit commercial/social events
• Maintain records in case of audits or inspections

6. Manage renewals and changes

• Track permit renewal cycles and any updates to the ordinance
• Keep tax registrations current

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Town STR Permit
  • Application required; issuance subject to zoning verification and inspection
  • Permit cap: one per person; permits are nontransferable
• Business License/Registration
  • Obtain from the Town of Saint Francisville before operating
• Louisiana Sales Tax Registration
  • Register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue to collect/remit state sales tax (state rate is 4.45%; parish/local rates may apply)
• Occupancy Tax Compliance
  • Ensure compliance with state/parish occupancy taxes and any town transient occupancy reporting requirements
• Safety/Building Readiness
  • Prepare the property to meet health, safety, and lodging standards for STR use; comply with posted limits (4 bedrooms; up to 12 guests)
• Operational Guidelines
  • No commercial/social events; no short‑term rental in residential zones; display permit number on listings

Note: Specific application forms, timelines, and fees should be confirmed directly with the Town of Saint Francisville, as these details were not fully provided in the source materials.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals (City, Parish/County, State)

City of Saint Francisville (Town) — 2023 STR Ordinance

• Zoning eligibility:
  • Allowed in the Commercial Town Center zone (Historic District area)
  • Allowed in the new Commerce Street Overlay District (Commerce Street from Wilcox Street south to U.S. 61)
• Zoning prohibition:
  • STRs are not permitted in residential zones
• Permit cap:
  • One permit per person; permits are nontransferable
• Operational limits:
  • Maximum of 4 bedrooms
  • Maximum of 12 guests
  • No commercial or social events
• Tax obligations:
  • Owners must pay all sales and occupancy taxes (consistent with other lodging providers)
• Nonconforming use phase‑out:
  • Existing STRs operating in residential areas had to cease by July 1, 2023 (honoring existing reservations)
• Notes:
  • The ordinance was adopted to prevent wholesale conversion of residential properties into STRs and to ensure fair competition with licensed lodging (e.g., B&Bs, motels), which collect hotel/motel taxes

West Feliciana Parish (County‑Level)

• The sources provided do not include parish‑specific STR requirements beyond city zoning and general state tax obligations

State of Louisiana

• Sales tax:
  • State sales tax rate is 4.45%
  • Additional parish/local sales taxes may apply
• Occupancy tax:
  • Transient occupancy taxes exist at the state level and/or through parish/local mechanisms; specific Saint Francisville occupancy tax requirements should be verified with the Town of Saint Francisville
• Business registration:
  • Hosts operating as a business should register for sales tax with the Louisiana Department of Revenue and maintain compliance

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

Town of Saint Francisville (Mayor, Board of Aldermen, Planning)

• Phone: (225) 635‑3282
• Address: Saint Francisville Town Hall (confirm current address with Town Hall)
• Online: Visit the Town of Saint Francisville website for STR permit forms, zoning maps, and application guidance

Additional context (for reference and direct inquiry):

• Mayor Robert Leake (as referenced in local reporting)
• Planning Official Laurie Walsh (as referenced in local reporting)

Because local processes can evolve, investors should contact the Town Hall directly to:

• Confirm the Commerce Street Overlay District boundaries
• Obtain the current STR permit application, fees, inspection checklist, and renewal cycle
• Confirm occupancy tax reporting requirements and current rates

Source Links

• New short‑term rental rules in St. Francisville — The Advocate (Mar 16, 2023) www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/communities/st_francisville/new-short-term-rental-rules-in-st-francisville/article_dfb59464-c3ff-11ed-8cd3-4323f7489aec.html
• WAFB coverage of new STR restrictions (Mar 16, 2023) www.wafb.com/2023/03/16/new-law-restricting-short-term-rentals-st-francisville/
• STRisker regulatory update referencing the 2023 ordinance (Sept 16, 2025) writing.strisker.com/daily-regulatory-notes-09-16-2025/
• AirROI market report (indicating low regulatory environment; helpful for context) www.airroi.com/report/world/united-states/louisiana/saint-francisville

Investor Takeaways

• STRs are explicitly allowed in Saint Francisville, but only within two specific commercial zones; residential‑only properties are not permitted
• The one‑permit‑per‑owner cap and nontransferability限制 consolidation; small, compliant operators are the intended model
• Occupancy caps (12 guests) and bedroom limits (4) constrain large‑scale event usage and multi‑unit conversions
• The July 1, 2023 cutoff eliminated nonconforming residential STRs; any remaining operators outside the designated areas are operating illegally
• Collect and remit applicable state and local taxes; unlike legacy “non‑regulated” operators, you must align with the tax obligations of traditional lodging providers
• If you already own residential property outside the permitted zones, consider converting to traditional long‑term rentals, which the mayor explicitly suggested as a compliant alternative

Always confirm the latest local forms, fees, and inspection steps with the Town of Saint Francisville before investing or launching a listing.