Is Laplace, Louisiana Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Laplace, Louisiana, begin by researching local regulations through St. John the Baptist Parish government offices, as Louisiana state law generally allows short-term rentals but parishes may have specific ordinances requiring business licenses or occupancy permits. Contact the parish clerk's office at (985) 652-9569 to determine if you need a home occupation permit or conditional use permit, and check if there are any zoning restrictions in residential areas. Find a suitable property by searching MLS listings, Zillow, or working with local realtors familiar with investment properties in the $150,000-$300,000 range typical for Laplace's market. Once you secure financing and purchase the property, obtain necessary permits including a business license from St. John Parish (approximately $50-100 annually) and ensure the property meets safety codes with working smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and proper egress windows. Furnish the space with quality basics including comfortable beds, linens, towels, kitchen essentials, WiFi, and local guidebooks, budgeting around $5,000-$15,000 for a complete setup. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting the property's proximity to New Orleans (30 minutes), local attractions like San Francisco Plantation, and amenities, 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 check-ins/check-outs, maintaining the property regularly, and considering hiring a local property management company if you live far away, while keeping detailed records for tax purposes as rental income is subject to Louisiana state taxes and federal income tax.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Laplace, Louisiana, focus on locations within 15-20 minutes of major attractions like New Orleans (30 miles southeast), industrial facilities along the Mississippi River, and near Highway 61 for easy access. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or duplexes built after 1980 with modern amenities, full kitchens, parking, and outdoor spaces that can accommodate 4-8 guests, as these appeal to families visiting nearby petrochemical plants or exploring the River Parishes. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and STR data platforms to identify properties priced 20-30% below comparable short-term rentals, aiming for purchase prices under $150,000-200,000 to maintain healthy profit margins. Research competition by analyzing existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 5-mile radius, identifying gaps in amenities or guest capacity, and studying occupancy rates and seasonal demand patterns driven by industrial work travel and tourism spillover from New Orleans. Utilize tools like Mashvisor, BiggerPockets calculators, and local MLS data through Louisiana Realtors, while connecting with St. John the Baptist Parish planning departments to understand zoning regulations and STR permit requirements, and leverage relationships with local property management companies familiar with the River Parishes market dynamics.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Laplace, Louisiana, you must first contact the St. John the Baptist Parish Planning and Zoning Department at the parish courthouse located at 1811 West Airline Highway in LaPlace to submit your application, as short-term rentals fall under parish jurisdiction rather than municipal control. Required documents typically include a completed short-term rental permit application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement with landlord consent, certificate of occupancy, fire safety inspection certificate from the St. John Parish Fire Department, liability insurance policy with minimum $1 million coverage naming the parish as additional insured, site plan showing parking arrangements and property layout, and business license from the Louisiana Secretary of State. Application fees generally range from $150-300 for the initial permit plus $75-150 for annual renewals, with additional inspection fees of approximately $100-200. The approval timeline typically takes 4-6 weeks from submission of complete application, including time for required inspections and neighbor notification period. Specific Laplace requirements include maintaining minimum two off-street parking spaces per rental unit, limiting occupancy to two persons per bedroom plus two additional guests, ensuring 24/7 local contact person availability within 30 minutes response time, posting permit number visibly on property, and adhering to parish noise ordinances with quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM, while properties in residential zones may face additional restrictions on rental frequency and guest vehicle limitations.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Laplace, Louisiana operate under St. John the Baptist Parish regulations, where they are generally permitted but subject to specific zoning restrictions and permit requirements. The parish requires STR operators to obtain a conditional use permit and business license, with properties typically allowed in residential zones but prohibited in certain historic or environmentally sensitive areas along the Mississippi River corridor. Current restrictions include occupancy limits based on property size, parking requirements of at least two spaces per unit, and noise ordinances with quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM. The parish implemented stricter regulations around 2019-2020 following community concerns about impacts on residential neighborhoods, requiring annual permit renewals and establishing complaint procedures for neighbors. Properties must meet safety standards including smoke detectors and emergency egress requirements, and operators face penalties for violations including permit revocation. Recent changes have focused on balancing tourism revenue with residential quality of life, particularly in areas near popular attractions like Oak Alley Plantation and Laura Plantation.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Laplace, Louisiana include the historic downtown district near the railroad museum and antique shops, which attracts heritage tourists and visitors exploring Louisiana's railroad history. The residential neighborhoods along the Mississippi River levee system offer scenic water views and appeal to guests seeking authentic Louisiana experiences while remaining close to New Orleans (30 minutes away). The areas near the Bonnet Carré Spillway provide access to outdoor recreation and fishing, drawing nature enthusiasts and sportsmen year-round. Properties near Highway 61 and Interstate 10 corridors capture business travelers working at nearby petrochemical facilities including Shell, Valero, and other River Parishes industrial complexes. The neighborhoods around East St. John High School and the civic center benefit from sports tournaments, graduations, and local events. Additionally, areas within walking distance of local Creole and Cajun restaurants along Main Street attract culinary tourists exploring authentic Louisiana cuisine outside the typical New Orleans tourist zones, while offering more affordable accommodation options for budget-conscious travelers visiting the greater New Orleans metropolitan area.

In Laplace, Louisiana, Airbnb hosts are subject to Louisiana state sales tax of 4.45% on lodging rentals, plus St. John the Baptist Parish sales tax which varies but is typically around 3-4%, resulting in a combined rate of approximately 7.45-8.45% on short-term rental income. Additionally, there may be a local occupancy tax of 2-3% imposed by St. John the Baptist Parish specifically on transient lodging accommodations. These taxes are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking for properties where automatic tax collection agreements are in place, which began around 2016-2017 for Louisiana. For properties not covered by automatic collection, hosts must register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue and remit sales taxes monthly if gross receipts exceed $1,500 per month, or quarterly if below that threshold, using Form R-1029. Local occupancy taxes may require separate registration and remittance to the parish tax collector's office. Exemptions generally apply to rentals of 30 days or longer, which are considered long-term leases rather than transient accommodations, and some exemptions may exist for certain types of guests such as government employees on official business, though specific exemption criteria should be verified with local tax authorities.

To start an Airbnb in Laplace, Louisiana, the total estimated costs would be approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs around $150,000-$180,000 based on median home prices in the area. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property would cost $8,000-$12,000 including furniture, appliances, linens, and decor. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations would be $2,000-$3,500. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and tax registration would total $500-$800. Insurance for short-term rental coverage would cost $1,200-$1,800 annually. Utility deposits and connections would be $300-$500. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($150/month), cleaning supplies ($100/month), maintenance reserves ($200/month), property management software ($50/month), and marketing ($100/month) would total approximately $3,600. Additional costs may include HOA fees if applicable ($100-$300/month) and initial marketing/advertising budget of $1,000-$2,000 to establish the listing.

Airbnb properties in Laplace, Louisiana typically generate modest returns with average daily rates ranging from $75-120 depending on property size and amenities, resulting in monthly revenues of $1,800-3,200 for well-managed properties with 60-70% occupancy rates. Operating expenses including cleaning fees ($40-60 per turnover), utilities ($150-250 monthly), property management (15-25% of revenue), insurance ($1,200-2,000 annually), and maintenance ($200-400 monthly) typically consume 45-60% of gross revenue. Properties near industrial facilities like Marathon Petroleum or Valero refineries perform better due to business traveler demand, with some hosts reporting 15-25% net profit margins after expenses. Success factors include proximity to major employers, competitive pricing against nearby hotels in LaPlace and Kenner, professional photography, and maintaining 4.8+ star ratings. A typical 3-bedroom home purchased for $180,000-220,000 can generate $20,000-35,000 annual revenue with net profits of $8,000-15,000 after all expenses, though seasonal fluctuations from hurricane season and industrial maintenance schedules can impact consistency. Properties offering amenities for extended-stay business travelers and those within 30 minutes of New Orleans International Airport tend to achieve higher occupancy rates and premium pricing in this market.

Based on Laplace, Louisiana market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% depending on property type and location within the area. Properties near the Mississippi River or with easy access to New Orleans (approximately 25 miles away) tend to perform better, achieving the higher end of these ranges. Initial profitability usually occurs within 18-24 months for well-positioned properties, with break-even on cash investment typically reached in 10-12 years. The market benefits from industrial workers visiting nearby petrochemical facilities, tourists exploring River Parishes, and overflow demand from New Orleans events, though seasonal fluctuations can impact occupancy rates by 15-25% between peak summer months and slower winter periods. Average daily rates in the area range from $75-120, with occupancy rates averaging 60-70% annually for well-managed properties.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties across markets including Laplace, Louisiana. Local real estate agents in the Laplace area who specialize in investment properties include Keller Williams Realty agents, RE/MAX professionals, and Century 21 brokers who understand the St. John the Baptist Parish market dynamics. National services like Awning, RedAwning, and Vacasa provide market analysis and property management services for Airbnb investors in the Greater New Orleans region including Laplace. BiggerPockets marketplace and Roofstock occasionally feature Louisiana investment properties, while AirDNA and Mashvisor offer market data and analytics for the Laplace short-term rental market. Local property management companies such as Louisiana Property Management Group and Gulf Coast Property Services can assist with Airbnb operations, and mortgage brokers like First National Bank of St. John and Regions Bank provide investment property financing in the area. Real estate investment groups through the New Orleans Real Estate Investors Association also network investors interested in the Laplace market, which benefits from proximity to New Orleans tourism while offering lower property acquisition costs.