Is Carencro, Louisiana Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Carencro, Louisiana, begin by researching local regulations through the City of Carencro Planning and Zoning Department, as the city requires short-term rental permits and compliance with residential zoning laws, typically allowing STRs in R-1 and R-2 zones with proper registration. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from Carencro City Hall (approximately $50-100), a short-term rental permit (estimated $150-300 annually), and ensure compliance with Lafayette Parish health and safety codes. Find a suitable property by searching residential areas near the Carencro Historic District or properties with easy access to I-49 for guest convenience, considering purchase prices ranging from $120,000-250,000 for typical 3-bedroom homes. Furnish the property with essential amenities including quality bedding, kitchen appliances, WiFi, and local Louisiana-themed decor, budgeting approximately $8,000-15,000 for complete furnishing. List your property on Airbnb and VRBO platforms with professional photography highlighting proximity to Lafayette attractions, Cajun culture experiences, and local festivals, setting competitive rates around $80-150 per night based on local market analysis. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, responding promptly to inquiries, coordinating key exchanges or installing smart locks, maintaining the property regularly, and ensuring compliance with Carencro's noise ordinances and occupancy limits, while building relationships with local cleaning services and maintenance contractors for efficient operations.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Carencro, Louisiana, focus on locations within 15-20 minutes of Lafayette's downtown area, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and major employers like Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center, as these drive consistent demand from business travelers, visiting families, and university guests. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or duplexes built after 1990 with modern amenities, full kitchens, dedicated parking, and outdoor spaces, as these appeal to families visiting the Cajun cultural attractions and festivals throughout Acadiana. Analyze comparable properties using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify average daily rates of $80-150 and occupancy rates of 60-75%, while ensuring your all-in costs including mortgage, insurance, and management stay below 70% of gross rental income. Research competition by examining existing STRs within a 5-mile radius, noting their pricing strategies, amenities, and guest reviews to identify gaps in the market such as pet-friendly options or properties catering to festival-goers during events like Festival International or Mardi Gras. Utilize Rabbu and STR Helper for market analysis specific to Lafayette Parish, monitor the Carencro city regulations for STR permits and zoning requirements, and leverage local Facebook groups and real estate agents familiar with the Acadiana market to identify off-market opportunities near popular attractions like Vermilionville or within easy access to Interstate 10 for business travelers.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Carencro, Louisiana, you must first contact the Carencro City Hall at 210 E St. Peter Street or call (337) 896-7541 to obtain the short-term rental application form, as the city implemented STR regulations around 2020-2021. Submit the completed application along with required documents including proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of occupancy, general liability insurance policy (minimum $1 million coverage), floor plan showing maximum occupancy, contact information for a local property manager within 30 miles, and a $150 application fee plus $100 annual renewal fee. The city requires properties to be owner-occupied or have an on-site manager, maintain a guest registry, provide adequate parking (minimum 2 spaces), install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in all bedrooms, and comply with all zoning requirements including a maximum occupancy of 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests. After submitting your application, the city will conduct an inspection within 15-20 business days, and if approved, you'll receive your permit within 30-45 days total. You must also register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue for sales tax collection and remit the 4% state sales tax plus 5% local occupancy tax monthly, and renew your permit annually by December 31st with proof of continued insurance and compliance.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Carencro, Louisiana, as the city has not enacted specific prohibitions against them, though they must comply with state regulations and local zoning ordinances. Louisiana state law allows municipalities to regulate STRs, and Carencro follows Lafayette Parish guidelines where applicable, requiring operators to obtain proper business licenses and comply with occupancy limits, parking requirements, and noise ordinances. The city typically restricts STRs to residential zones but may require conditional use permits in certain areas, and properties must meet safety standards including smoke detectors and emergency exits. Recent changes around 2022-2023 have seen increased enforcement of existing regulations rather than new restrictions, with the city focusing on ensuring compliance with tax collection requirements and neighbor complaint procedures. Operators must register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue for tax purposes and may need to collect and remit local occupancy taxes, while maintaining compliance with homeowners association rules where applicable.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Carencro, Louisiana include the historic downtown district near the Carencro Cultural Center and Festival Grounds, which attracts visitors during the annual Carencro Mardi Gras celebrations and local festivals throughout the year. The residential neighborhoods along Highway 182 (Gloria Switch Road) offer proximity to Lafayette's business district, making them attractive for business travelers working in the oil and gas industry or at Lafayette General Medical Center. Properties near Carencro High School and the sports complexes draw families visiting for athletic events and tournaments. The areas close to Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino (approximately 15 minutes away) benefit from gaming tourism, while neighborhoods with easy access to Interstate 49 provide convenient connections to Lafayette's downtown business district, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and the Cajun Heartland State Fair grounds, making them ideal for both leisure and business travelers exploring Acadiana's cultural attractions and attending corporate events.

Airbnb properties in Carencro, Louisiana are subject to Louisiana state sales tax of 4.45% and Lafayette Parish sales tax of approximately 5%, totaling around 9.45% on short-term rental accommodations. The Louisiana Department of Revenue requires hosts to register for a sales tax account and collect these taxes from guests at the time of booking or check-in, with monthly remittance due by the 20th of the following month for properties generating over $1,000 in monthly revenue. Carencro itself does not impose a separate municipal occupancy tax as of 2023, though hosts must comply with city business licensing requirements. Airbnb may collect and remit these taxes automatically through their platform for participating hosts, but property owners remain ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance. Exemptions typically apply to stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, which are considered long-term rentals rather than short-term accommodations, and certain government or non-profit related bookings may qualify for tax exemptions with proper documentation.

To start an Airbnb in Carencro, Louisiana, the total initial costs would be approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at $150,000-$180,000 based on median home prices in the area. Furnishing costs typically range $15,000-$25,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom setup including furniture, appliances, linens, and decor. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $2,000-$4,000. Permits and fees in Louisiana generally cost $500-$1,500 including business license, occupancy permits, and potential HOA approvals. Insurance for short-term rentals runs $1,200-$2,400 annually, with upfront costs of $600-$1,200 for six months coverage. Utility deposits and setup fees total approximately $500-$800 for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable. First six months operating costs including utilities ($900-$1,200), cleaning supplies ($300-$500), maintenance reserves ($1,000-$2,000), marketing ($200-$400), and platform fees on bookings ($800-$1,500) add another $3,200-$5,600 to startup expenses.

Airbnb properties in Carencro, Louisiana typically generate modest profitability with average nightly rates ranging from $75-120 for standard 2-3 bedroom homes, translating to monthly revenues of $1,800-3,200 assuming 60-70% occupancy rates common in smaller Louisiana markets. Operating expenses typically consume 40-50% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($40-60 per turnover), property management (15-25%), utilities ($150-250/month), insurance ($200-300/month), and maintenance costs ($100-200/monthly average). Net profit margins generally range from 15-25% after expenses, with successful properties near the Evangeline Downs Racetrack or those targeting Lafayette business travelers achieving higher occupancy rates. Properties featuring Cajun cultural themes, outdoor spaces for crawfish boils, or proximity to local festivals like the Carencro Mardi Gras tend to command premium rates and maintain 75-80% occupancy. A typical 3-bedroom home purchased for $180,000 and generating $2,400 monthly revenue with $1,680 in expenses (including mortgage) yields approximately $720 monthly profit, representing a 30% profit margin, though success heavily depends on effective marketing to Lafayette-area visitors and maintaining authentic Louisiana hospitality standards that differentiate properties from standard hotel accommodations.

Based on Carencro, Louisiana market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14%. Properties in the $150,000-$250,000 range can expect gross rental yields of 15-22% annually, with net returns after expenses (property management, utilities, maintenance, insurance) settling around 10-16%. The proximity to Lafayette (15 minutes) drives demand from business travelers, oil industry workers, and University of Louisiana visitors, supporting average daily rates of $85-$120 and occupancy rates of 65-75%. Initial profitability typically occurs within 8-14 months, with full investment recovery expected in 6-8 years. Properties near the Vermilion River or historic downtown Carencro command premium rates, while single-family homes with 2-3 bedrooms perform strongest in this market, benefiting from lower competition compared to Lafayette proper and appealing to families visiting the region.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental investment opportunities in Carencro, Louisiana, providing comprehensive market analysis and property recommendations. Local real estate agents in the Lafayette Parish area who focus on investment properties include Coldwell Banker Pelican Real Estate, RE/MAX Acadiana, and Keller Williams Realty Acadiana, with agents like those at Century 21 Bono Realty having experience in the Carencro market since the early 2010s. National services that assist Airbnb investors include Mashvisor (founded 2014), which offers rental property analytics, BiggerPockets marketplace connecting investors with local professionals, and AirDNA providing short-term rental market data for the Lafayette-Carencro area. Specialized investment companies like Awning (established 2017) and RedAwning offer full-service Airbnb property management and acquisition services in Louisiana markets. Local property management companies such as Acadiana Property Management and Lafayette-based STR management firms have emerged since 2018 to serve the growing short-term rental market in Carencro and surrounding areas, while national platforms like Vacasa and AvantStay also operate in the region to help investors maximize their rental income potential.