Is Marigny, Louisiana Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Marigny, Louisiana, begin by researching New Orleans' short-term rental regulations, which require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) from the City Planning Commission and a short-term rental license from the Department of Safety and Permits, with applications typically taking 60-90 days and costing around $500-800 in fees. Find a suitable property in the historic Marigny neighborhood, ensuring it meets zoning requirements for short-term rentals and is located outside the French Quarter's restricted zones, with typical investment costs ranging from $200,000-400,000 for a Creole cottage or shotgun house. Obtain necessary permits including the CUP, business license, and fire safety inspection, while ensuring compliance with occupancy limits (typically 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional) and parking requirements. Furnish the property with period-appropriate décor reflecting Marigny's bohemian character, including essential amenities like WiFi, air conditioning, and kitchen supplies, budgeting approximately $15,000-25,000 for complete furnishing. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photography highlighting the neighborhood's proximity to Frenchmen Street's music scene and the French Quarter, setting competitive rates around $150-300 per night depending on property size and season. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, maintaining 24/7 guest communication, coordinating key exchanges, and ensuring compliance with New Orleans' noise ordinances and neighbor notification requirements, while considering hiring local property management companies like RedAwning or Vacasa if managing remotely.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Marigny, Louisiana, focus on properties within 3-4 blocks of Frenchmen Street's live music venues and restaurants, as proximity to nightlife drives higher occupancy rates and premium pricing of $150-250 per night. Target 2-3 bedroom Creole cottages or shotgun houses built between 1880-1920 with original architectural details like exposed brick, hardwood floors, and high ceilings, as these authentic features command 20-30% higher rates than generic properties. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify properties generating $3,000-5,000 monthly revenue, while analyzing comparable listings within a 0.5-mile radius to ensure your property can compete at similar price points. Research competition by monitoring occupancy rates of similar properties on Airbnb and VRBO, noting that successful Marigny STRs typically maintain 70-85% occupancy during peak seasons (February-May, October-November) and 50-65% during summer months. Utilize local resources like the New Orleans Short-Term Rental Alliance for regulatory updates, partner with property management companies like RedAwning or Vacasa familiar with the area's unique challenges, and leverage neighborhood-specific Facebook groups and local real estate agents specializing in investment properties to identify off-market opportunities before they hit major listing platforms.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Marigny, Louisiana (part of New Orleans), you must first register with the City of New Orleans Department of Safety and Permits by visiting their office at 1340 Poydras Street or applying online through the city's permit portal. Required documents include a completed short-term rental application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of occupancy, fire safety inspection certificate, liability insurance policy ($500,000 minimum), floor plan showing maximum occupancy, and a $150 application fee plus $50 annual renewal fee. The Marigny district has specific zoning requirements limiting STRs to owner-occupied properties or those in commercial zones, with a maximum occupancy of 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, and properties must be at least 600 feet apart from other STRs. You'll need to schedule inspections with the Fire Department ($75 fee) and Building Department ($100 fee), obtain a business license from Louisiana Secretary of State, and register for city taxes with the Bureau of Revenue. The entire process typically takes 60-90 days from application submission to permit approval, and you must display your permit number in all online listings and maintain a 24-hour contact person for neighbor complaints.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in the Marigny neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana, but operate under strict city regulations implemented around 2019-2020. The City of New Orleans requires STR operators to obtain proper permits, pay occupancy taxes, and comply with zoning restrictions that limit the density of STRs in residential areas. In the Marigny, which includes both commercial corridors along Frenchmen Street and residential blocks, STRs face particular scrutiny due to neighborhood concerns about over-tourism and housing displacement. The city has implemented caps on new STR permits in certain residential zones, requires operators to maintain liability insurance, and enforces noise ordinances strictly given the area's proximity to entertainment districts. Recent legal changes have included stricter enforcement mechanisms and higher penalties for unpermitted operations, with the city conducting regular compliance checks. Properties must meet safety standards, provide adequate parking where required, and operators cannot exceed occupancy limits, with violations potentially resulting in permit revocation and significant fines.

The Marigny neighborhood in New Orleans, Louisiana offers several prime areas for Airbnb investment, with the Faubourg Marigny being the most attractive due to its proximity to the French Quarter and vibrant nightlife scene centered around Frenchmen Street, which draws tourists year-round for live music venues, jazz clubs, and authentic New Orleans culture. The area near Washington Square Park is particularly desirable as it provides a quieter residential feel while remaining walkable to major attractions, appealing to families and longer-stay visitors. Properties closer to the Mississippi River and the Marigny Opera House benefit from cultural tourism and special events throughout the year, including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Mardi Gras celebrations. The section between Elysian Fields Avenue and Franklin Avenue offers excellent investment potential due to lower property costs while still maintaining easy access to the French Quarter via streetcar or short walk, attracting budget-conscious travelers and business visitors to the nearby Bywater district's growing restaurant and arts scene. The area around the Healing Center and various music venues provides consistent demand from festival-goers and music tourists, particularly during peak seasons from October through May when weather is optimal and major events occur.

Airbnb properties in the Marigny neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana are subject to multiple lodging taxes totaling approximately 16.75% of the rental rate. This includes the Louisiana state sales tax of 4.45%, Orleans Parish sales tax of 5%, New Orleans hotel occupancy tax of 6%, and a tourism marketing district tax of 1.25%. The taxes are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking and remitted to the appropriate tax authorities on behalf of hosts, though hosts remain ultimately responsible for compliance. Airbnb began collecting and remitting these taxes automatically for Louisiana properties in 2017. Properties renting for less than 30 consecutive days are generally subject to all applicable taxes, while stays of 30 days or longer may be exempt from certain occupancy taxes but still subject to sales tax. Hosts must register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue and may need to obtain a New Orleans short-term rental permit, and should maintain detailed records of all bookings and tax collections even when Airbnb handles remittance, as they may need to file periodic returns or handle any gaps in the platform's collection system.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Marigny, Louisiana is approximately $385,000-$485,000. Property purchase costs range from $300,000-$400,000 based on median home prices in the historic Marigny neighborhood. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $15,000-$25,000 for quality furniture, appliances, linens, and décor that appeals to tourists. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and marketing materials total $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees in New Orleans include short-term rental permits ($150 annually), business licenses ($75), and potential zoning compliance costs totaling $1,500-$3,000. Insurance specifically for short-term rentals costs $2,500-$4,000 annually. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable average $500-$800 initially. First six months operating costs including utilities ($1,800), cleaning services ($3,600), maintenance ($2,000), platform fees ($4,500 assuming 15% occupancy revenue), supplies ($1,200), and marketing ($1,500) total approximately $14,600. Additional considerations include potential HOA fees, property management software subscriptions, and emergency repair funds that could add $2,000-$5,000 to initial costs.

Airbnb properties in the Marigny neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana, demonstrate strong profitability potential with average nightly rates ranging from $120-180 for typical 2-bedroom Creole cottages and shotgun houses, generating monthly revenues of $3,600-5,400 assuming 70% occupancy rates common to the area. Operating expenses typically include 25-30% for cleaning and maintenance ($900-1,620 monthly), property management fees of 15-20% ($540-1,080), insurance costs around $200-300 monthly, and utilities averaging $150-250, resulting in total monthly expenses of $1,790-3,250. This yields net profit margins of 35-45%, with successful properties earning $1,810-2,150 monthly profit. Success factors include proximity to French Quarter attractions (10-minute walk), authentic historic architecture dating to the 1800s, vibrant local music scene on Frenchmen Street, and unique neighborhood character that commands premium rates. Properties within 3 blocks of Frenchmen Street consistently outperform others by 20-25%, while those featuring original architectural details like exposed brick, cypress floors, and Creole balconies achieve occupancy rates exceeding 75%. The neighborhood's recovery post-Hurricane Katrina and growing popularity among tourists seeking authentic New Orleans experiences outside the crowded French Quarter has driven consistent demand, with peak season (February-May, October-November) rates reaching $200-250 nightly for well-positioned properties.

Airbnb investments in Marigny, Louisiana typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14%, driven by the neighborhood's proximity to the French Quarter and strong tourism demand. Properties in this historic district, particularly shotgun houses and Creole cottages priced between $200,000-$400,000, can achieve average daily rates of $120-$180 with occupancy rates of 65-75% annually. Initial profitability usually occurs within 18-24 months, factoring in renovation costs of $30,000-$60,000 for most properties to meet short-term rental standards. The market benefits from year-round tourism, Mardi Gras season premiums, and Jazz Fest bookings, with successful operators reporting gross rental yields of 15-22% before expenses, though investors should account for New Orleans' 13.75% short-term rental tax and potential regulatory changes affecting the STR market.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market data for the Marigny area in Louisiana. Local New Orleans real estate agents specializing in short-term rental investments include Keller Williams Realty New Orleans with agents like Sarah Tran and Michael Rodriguez who focus on Marigny properties, while Latter & Blum has dedicated STR specialists including Jennifer Dubois and Mark Hebert. National services include Awning (property management and acquisition consulting), RedAwning (vacation rental investment platform), and Mashvisor (real estate analytics platform) which all provide Marigny market analysis. Local property management companies that also assist with acquisitions include French Quarter Management Company, Big Easy Vacation Rentals, and Crescent City Connection Property Management. Additional national platforms serving the Marigny market include AirDNA for market analytics, Vacasa for full-service property management and investment guidance, and AvantStay for luxury short-term rental investments, with most of these services expanding their Louisiana operations between 2019-2023 to capitalize on New Orleans' strong tourism market.