NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – After six long hours, the New Orleans City Planning Commission voted Tuesday to keep “whole-home” short-term rentals illegal, but decided to legalize some short-term rentals.
The group unanimously decided to allow homeowners to list a spare room in a home to tourists, but “entire house” rentals should remain illegal.
One primary concern is how the new rules would be enforced.
Right now, it is illegal for residents to rent their property for less than 30 days, or 60 days if you live in the French Quarter.
But enforcement of the rule is essentially non-existent, and thousands of homeowners still advertise their apartments on short-term rental sites, especially during Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest.
Currently, there are more than 1,000 listings active in New Orleans on Airbnb, 300 “entire home” listings. On HomeAway, another short-term rental site, there are more than 1,350 active listings in New Orleans.
Tuesday night’s recommendations now go to the full City Council.