Is Breaux Bridge, Louisiana Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the St. Martin Parish Planning Commission, as Breaux Bridge typically requires short-term rentals to comply with residential zoning restrictions and may require a business license from the city clerk's office. Obtain necessary permits including a Louisiana sales tax permit from the Department of Revenue, register for local occupancy taxes with St. Martin Parish, and ensure compliance with fire safety codes through the State Fire Marshal's office. Find a suitable property in residential areas that allow short-term rentals, focusing on locations near the Bayou Teche or historic downtown area which attract tourists interested in Cajun culture and swamp tours. Purchase essential furnishings including quality bedding, kitchen appliances, air conditioning (crucial for Louisiana's humid climate), and Cajun-themed decor to appeal to cultural tourists. Create your listing on Airbnb with professional photos highlighting unique Louisiana features, set competitive pricing around $80-150 per night based on local market rates, and emphasize proximity to attractions like Lake Martin Wildlife Refuge and Atchafalaya Basin. Manage your property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services, maintenance contractors familiar with Louisiana's climate challenges, and consider hiring a property management company if you're not local, while maintaining responsive communication with guests and providing recommendations for local Cajun restaurants and cultural experiences.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, focus on locations within walking distance of downtown's historic district, near the Bayou Teche waterfront, or close to popular Cajun restaurants and cultural attractions, as these areas attract tourists seeking authentic Louisiana experiences. Target properties with 2-3 bedrooms, unique architectural features like Creole cottages or Acadian-style homes, outdoor spaces for crawfish boils, and parking availability, as guests value authentic local character and convenience. Analyze pricing by researching comparable Airbnb listings in nearby Lafayette (20 minutes away) and St. Martinville, adjusting for Breaux Bridge's smaller market size, with typical rates ranging $80-150 per night depending on property size and amenities. Study competition by monitoring existing STR listings on Airbnb and VRBO within a 5-mile radius, noting occupancy patterns during peak seasons like Mardi Gras, crawfish season (March-June), and fall festivals. Utilize tools like AirDNA for market analysis, STR Helper for revenue projections, and local resources including the Breaux Bridge Chamber of Commerce for event calendars, St. Martin Parish tourism data, and networking with local real estate agents familiar with properties suitable for conversion to short-term rentals.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, you must first contact the Breaux Bridge City Hall at 300 Rees Street to inquire about short-term rental regulations and obtain the necessary application forms, as the city likely requires a business license and may have specific STR ordinances. Required documents typically include a completed business license application, property deed or lease agreement, certificate of occupancy, liability insurance policy (minimum $1 million coverage), floor plan of the rental property, and valid Louisiana state ID or driver's license. The application fee is estimated at $50-150 for the business license plus potential additional STR permit fees of $100-300 annually. You must also register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue for sales tax collection and remit the required 4% state sales tax plus local occupancy taxes. The approval timeline is typically 2-4 weeks after submitting complete documentation. Breaux Bridge likely requires compliance with zoning regulations (confirming residential properties can operate as STRs), parking requirements (usually one space per bedroom), occupancy limits based on property size, noise ordinances, and regular safety inspections. Contact St. Martin Parish for any additional parish-level requirements, and ensure compliance with Louisiana fire safety codes and ADA accessibility standards where applicable.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, as the city has not enacted specific prohibitions against vacation rentals, though they operate under broader Louisiana state regulations and St. Martin Parish guidelines. The city requires STR operators to obtain proper business licenses and comply with local zoning ordinances, with most residential areas allowing short-term rentals provided they meet safety and occupancy standards. Properties must adhere to Louisiana's fire safety codes, maintain adequate parking, and respect noise ordinances, while some historic district areas may have additional architectural preservation requirements. Recent changes in 2022-2023 have seen increased enforcement of tax collection requirements, with platforms like Airbnb and VRBO now required to collect and remit local occupancy taxes to St. Martin Parish. The city has implemented a complaint-driven enforcement system for noise and parking violations, and while there are no specific prohibited zones, properties in flood-prone areas must meet additional insurance and disclosure requirements, with the planning commission reviewing applications on a case-by-case basis for compliance with local land use regulations.

The most promising Airbnb investment areas in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana include the Historic Downtown District along Main Street, which attracts tourists visiting the antique shops, Cajun restaurants, and the famous Crawfish Festival held annually in May, generating significant seasonal demand. The Bayou Teche waterfront area offers scenic properties that appeal to nature tourists and fishing enthusiasts year-round, with proximity to swamp tours and wildlife viewing. The area near the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival grounds sees high occupancy during major events including the Crawfish Festival and various Cajun music festivals throughout the year. Properties within walking distance of Poche's Market and Restaurant benefit from culinary tourism, as food enthusiasts visit this renowned Cajun establishment. The residential neighborhoods along Berard Street and Rees Street offer affordable investment opportunities while remaining close to downtown attractions, making them ideal for budget-conscious travelers exploring Acadiana's cultural heritage, with additional demand from business travelers visiting local agricultural and oil industry operations in the broader St. Martin Parish area.

In Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, Airbnb hosts are subject to multiple lodging taxes including the Louisiana state sales tax of 4.45% on short-term rentals, St. Martin Parish occupancy tax of approximately 3%, and potentially a municipal lodging tax of around 2-3% imposed by the City of Breaux Bridge. These taxes are typically collected from guests at the time of booking through Airbnb's automatic tax collection system for state and some local taxes, though hosts may need to manually collect and remit certain local taxes depending on agreements between Airbnb and local jurisdictions. Remittance procedures generally require monthly or quarterly filing with the Louisiana Department of Revenue for state taxes and separate filings with St. Martin Parish and Breaux Bridge city offices for local taxes, with due dates typically falling on the 20th of the following month. Most jurisdictions require registration and tax permits before beginning operations, and while there are generally no exemptions for standard short-term rentals under 30 days, stays exceeding 30 consecutive days may be exempt from occupancy taxes but still subject to regular sales tax. Hosts should verify current collection agreements between Airbnb and local authorities as these arrangements change periodically, and may need to collect taxes directly from guests if automatic collection is not in place for all applicable jurisdictions.

To start an Airbnb in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, expect total costs around $180,000-220,000. Property purchase costs approximately $150,000 based on median home prices in this small Cajun town. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property runs $15,000-20,000 including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and décor. Initial setup costs $3,000-4,000 covering professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic renovations. Permits and fees total $500-800 including business license, short-term rental permit from the city, and tax registration. Insurance adds $2,000-2,500 annually for landlord and short-term rental coverage. Utility deposits and connections cost $500-800 for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable. First six months operating expenses run $6,000-9,000 covering utilities ($200/month), cleaning services ($100/booking with 50% occupancy), maintenance ($300/month), Airbnb fees (3% host fee), marketing ($200/month), and supplies ($150/month). Additional considerations include potential HOA fees if applicable and emergency fund for unexpected repairs or low occupancy periods during slower tourism seasons.

Airbnb properties in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana typically generate annual revenues between $15,000-$35,000 for well-positioned properties, with average daily rates ranging from $85-$150 depending on property size and amenities. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($25-$40 per turnover), property management (15-25% of revenue), insurance ($800-$1,500 annually), utilities ($150-$300 monthly), and maintenance costs ($2,000-$4,000 annually). Properties near the Bayou Teche or historic downtown areas command premium rates, particularly during crawfish season (March-June) and fall festivals when occupancy rates can reach 80-90% compared to the annual average of 55-65%. Success factors include authentic Cajun décor, proximity to local attractions like Poche's Market and Restaurant or Lake Martin wildlife preserve, and catering to fishing and cultural tourism markets. A typical 3-bedroom Creole cottage purchased for $180,000 with $25,000 in renovations can achieve net profit margins of 15-25% after the first year, with properties featuring unique amenities like boat launches or outdoor kitchens performing 20-30% better than standard offerings. The market benefits from limited hotel inventory in the area and strong demand from visitors to nearby Lafayette and the Atchafalaya Basin.

Airbnb investments in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14%, driven by the area's proximity to Lafayette and growing tourism interest in authentic Cajun culture experiences. Properties in historic downtown areas or near the Bayou Teche can achieve occupancy rates of 65-75% with average daily rates of $85-120, while investors should expect initial profitability within 18-24 months after accounting for renovation costs and marketing expenses. The market benefits from festivals like the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival and year-round cultural tourism, with successful properties typically requiring $15,000-25,000 in initial improvements to meet vacation rental standards, resulting in break-even points occurring between months 20-28 depending on financing structure and property acquisition costs.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, using data analytics and market insights. Local real estate agents in the area who specialize in investment properties include Coldwell Banker Ingle Safari Realty, Re/Max Acadiana, and Century 21 Bono Realty, with agents like those at Keaty Real Estate and Latter & Blum having experience with vacation rental investments. National services that can assist include Mashvisor for property analysis, AirDNA for market data and revenue projections, and BiggerPockets for investor networking and resources. RedAwning and Vacasa provide property management services for Airbnb investments, while companies like RentSpree and Awning offer market analysis tools. Local property management companies such as Acadiana Property Management and regional firms like Gulf Coast Property Management can help investors manage their short-term rental properties in the Breaux Bridge market, which benefits from tourism related to Cajun culture and proximity to Lafayette.