Is Scott, Louisiana Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Scott, Louisiana, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the City of Scott Planning Department, as Lafayette Parish requires short-term rental permits and business licenses for properties rented less than 30 days. Contact Scott City Hall at 337-233-3870 to obtain necessary permits including a business license ($25-50 annually) and short-term rental permit, while ensuring your property meets fire safety codes and has proper smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors as required by Louisiana state law. Find a suitable property in Scott's residential areas, focusing on neighborhoods near the Evangeline Thruway or Ambassador Caffery Parkway for accessibility to Lafayette attractions, ensuring the property allows short-term rentals per HOA or lease agreements. Furnish the space with essential amenities including high-speed internet, cable TV, full kitchen appliances, quality linens, and local touches like Cajun-themed decor to appeal to tourists visiting Acadiana. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting proximity to Lafayette (10 minutes), University of Louisiana at Lafayette (15 minutes), and local attractions like Vermilionville Historic Village, setting competitive rates around $80-120 per night based on Scott's market. Manage your property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, maintaining 24/7 communication availability, coordinating key exchanges or installing smart locks, and ensuring compliance with Scott's noise ordinances and parking regulations while building relationships with local cleaning services and maintenance contractors for ongoing property management.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Scott, Louisiana, focus on locations within 15-20 minutes of Lafayette's downtown core, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and major employers like CGI and Stuller Inc, as these areas generate consistent business and leisure travel demand. Target 3-4 bedroom single-family homes or townhomes built after 1990 with modern amenities, full kitchens, dedicated parking, and outdoor spaces that appeal to families visiting for UL Lafayette events, Mardi Gras celebrations, or oil and gas industry business trips. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify properties where potential STR revenue (typically $80-150/night in Scott's market) exceeds traditional rental income by 40-60%, while accounting for 65-75% occupancy rates and operating expenses of 25-35% of gross revenue. Research competition by analyzing existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 3-mile radius, identifying gaps in amenities or property types, and monitoring seasonal demand patterns around UL Lafayette's academic calendar, festival seasons, and energy sector activity. Utilize tools like Rabbu, BiggerPockets calculators, and local MLS data through Realtor.com, while connecting with Lafayette-area property managers and STR management companies to understand market dynamics, and verify Scott's municipal regulations and any HOA restrictions before purchasing.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Scott, Louisiana, you must first contact the City of Scott Planning and Zoning Department at City Hall located at 215 Lions Club Road to determine specific short-term rental regulations, as requirements vary by municipality. You'll typically need to submit a completed STR permit application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of occupancy, general liability insurance policy (minimum $1 million coverage), fire safety inspection certificate, and a site plan showing parking availability. Required documents also include a business license from Louisiana Secretary of State, sales tax permit from Louisiana Department of Revenue, and potentially a conditional use permit depending on zoning. Application fees generally range from $150-$300 for the initial permit plus $50-$100 annual renewal fees, with additional costs for inspections ($75-$150) and business license fees ($25-$50). The approval timeline typically takes 30-60 days from submission of complete application, including time for fire department and building inspections. Scott-specific requirements likely include compliance with residential zoning restrictions, adequate off-street parking (minimum 2 spaces), maximum occupancy limits based on bedrooms, quiet hours enforcement, and maintaining a local contact person available 24/7 for guest issues, though you should verify current regulations directly with Scott's municipal offices as ordinances may have been updated since 2023.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Scott, Louisiana, but operate under regulations established by both the city and Lafayette Parish. Scott requires STR operators to obtain a business license and comply with zoning restrictions that typically limit rentals to certain residential areas while prohibiting them in some neighborhoods to preserve residential character. Properties must meet safety standards including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and proper egress requirements. The city has implemented occupancy limits based on property size and requires adequate parking for guests. Recent changes around 2022-2023 have included stricter enforcement of noise ordinances and neighbor complaint procedures, with some areas seeing increased scrutiny due to community concerns about housing availability and neighborhood disruption. Operators must also comply with Louisiana state tax requirements and may face additional parish-level regulations, with violations potentially resulting in fines or license revocation.

The most promising Airbnb investment areas in Scott, Louisiana include the historic downtown district near the Scott Boudin Festival grounds, which attracts thousands of visitors annually for the famous April festival and other cultural events throughout the year. The residential neighborhoods along Ambassador Caffery Parkway offer excellent potential due to proximity to Lafayette's business district, accommodating corporate travelers working with companies like CGI, Stuller Inc., and various oil and gas firms operating in the region. Areas near the Acadiana Regional Airport provide strong opportunities for business travelers and tourists flying into the Lafayette metropolitan area. The neighborhoods surrounding Girard Park and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus, though technically in Lafayette, are within easy reach and benefit from university events, graduation ceremonies, and academic conferences. Properties near the Interstate 10 corridor offer convenience for travelers exploring Louisiana's Cajun Country, including nearby attractions like Vermilionville, Acadian Village, and the numerous festivals held throughout Acadiana including Festival International de Louisiane and Downtown Alive concerts that draw visitors year-round to the greater Lafayette area.

Airbnb properties in Scott, Louisiana are subject to multiple lodging and occupancy taxes including the Louisiana state sales tax of 4.45%, Lafayette Parish sales tax of approximately 5%, and potential municipal hotel/motel taxes that typically range from 2-4% in Louisiana municipalities. The Louisiana Department of Revenue requires short-term rental operators to register for a sales tax account and collect the combined state and local sales tax on all rental transactions, with monthly remittance due by the 20th of the following month for properties generating over $1,000 in monthly revenue. Lafayette Parish may impose additional transient occupancy taxes collected through their local tax collector, while Scott may have its own municipal lodging tax ordinance requiring separate registration and collection. Properties rented for 30 days or longer are generally exempt from occupancy taxes, and some jurisdictions provide exemptions for rentals to permanent residents or government employees. Airbnb may collect and remit certain taxes automatically through their platform in some Louisiana parishes, but hosts remain responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable local tax requirements and should verify current rates and collection procedures with the Louisiana Department of Revenue, Lafayette Parish Tax Assessor, and Scott city officials.

To start an Airbnb in Scott, Louisiana, expect total costs around $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at approximately $150,000-$180,000 based on median home prices in the Lafayette metropolitan area where Scott is located. Furnishing costs typically range $8,000-$15,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom setup including furniture, appliances, linens, and décor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $2,000-$4,000. Permits and fees vary but expect around $500-$1,500 for business licenses, short-term rental permits, and city registration requirements. Insurance costs approximately $1,200-$2,000 annually for landlord and short-term rental coverage. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, internet, and cable typically cost $300-$600 initially. First six months operating costs including utilities ($150-$250 monthly), cleaning services ($75-$125 per turnover), maintenance reserves, property management software, and marketing expenses total approximately $3,000-$6,000. Additional considerations include potential HOA fees, property taxes, and emergency repair funds which could add another $2,000-$5,000 to initial capital requirements.

Airbnb properties in Scott, Louisiana typically generate annual revenues between $15,000-$35,000 for entire homes, with average daily rates ranging from $80-$150 depending on property size and amenities. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($30-50 per turnover), property management (10-20%), utilities ($150-300 monthly), insurance ($1,200-2,000 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $2,000-4,000 yearly. Profit margins in Scott typically range from 15-35%, with successful properties near the Acadiana region achieving higher occupancy rates of 60-75% due to proximity to Lafayette's business district and cultural attractions. A typical 3-bedroom home in Scott generating $28,000 annually might incur $16,000 in expenses, yielding a net profit of $12,000 or 43% margin. Success factors include strategic pricing during festival seasons like Festival International de Louisiane, maintaining authentic Cajun décor, offering local experience packages, and targeting both business travelers to Lafayette and tourists exploring Acadiana's cultural heritage. Properties within 15 minutes of Lafayette's downtown core and those featuring unique Louisiana architectural elements consistently outperform generic listings by 20-30% in both occupancy and nightly rates.

Airbnb investments in Scott, Louisiana typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, primarily driven by the area's proximity to Lafayette and steady demand from business travelers visiting local oil and gas companies like Chevron and ExxonMobil. Properties in Scott generally reach profitability within 18-24 months, with average daily rates of $85-120 and occupancy rates around 65-75% annually. The market benefits from consistent demand due to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette nearby and industrial activity in the region, though seasonal fluctuations occur with lower occupancy during summer months when university demand decreases. Investment properties typically require initial capital of $150,000-250,000 for suitable 3-4 bedroom homes, with monthly gross revenues averaging $2,500-4,200 depending on property size and amenities, while operating expenses including cleaning, utilities, and platform fees typically consume 35-45% of gross revenue.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for Airbnb investors in Scott, Louisiana and surrounding areas. Local real estate agents like Coldwell Banker Ingle Safari Realty and RE/MAX Acadiana have agents experienced in investment properties who understand the Scott market dynamics and can identify properties with strong rental potential. Awning provides nationwide Airbnb property management and investment analysis services, helping investors evaluate potential returns in the Scott area. Mashvisor offers data-driven property analysis tools that can help investors identify the most profitable Airbnb opportunities in Lafayette Parish where Scott is located. Local property management companies like Acadiana Property Management and Red River Property Management can assist with ongoing operations once properties are acquired. BiggerPockets marketplace and forums connect investors with local Scott-area professionals who specialize in short-term rental investments. AirDNA provides market data and analytics specifically for short-term rental performance in the Scott and Lafayette metropolitan area, helping investors make informed purchasing decisions based on occupancy rates and average daily rates from 2020-2024.