Is Shreveport, Louisiana Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Shreveport, Louisiana, begin by researching local regulations as the city requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business license from the City of Shreveport and comply with zoning ordinances that may restrict rentals in certain residential areas. Contact the Shreveport Planning Department to verify your property's zoning allows short-term rentals and obtain necessary permits including a Certificate of Occupancy if required. Find a suitable property in popular areas like the Highland neighborhood, downtown district, or near Louisiana State University Shreveport, considering factors like proximity to attractions, safety, and parking availability. Furnish the space with quality basics including comfortable bedding, essential appliances, Wi-Fi, and local touches that reflect Shreveport's culture and history. Ensure compliance with Louisiana fire safety codes by installing smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. List your property on Airbnb with professional photos highlighting unique features and proximity to attractions like the Red River, casinos, and cultural sites. Set competitive pricing based on local market rates, typically ranging from $60-150 per night depending on size and location. Manage your listing by responding promptly to inquiries, maintaining cleanliness standards, providing local recommendations, and considering hiring a local property management company if you live out of area, while keeping detailed records for tax purposes as Louisiana requires collection of state sales tax and local occupancy taxes on short-term rental income.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Shreveport, Louisiana, focus on locations near the Red River District, downtown entertainment venues, Barksdale Air Force Base, and Louisiana State University Shreveport campus, as these areas generate consistent demand from tourists, business travelers, and military personnel. Target properties with 2-4 bedrooms, modern amenities, parking availability, and unique features like historic charm or riverfront access, as Shreveport's tourism often centers around casinos, cultural attractions, and business conferences. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against comparable properties, aiming for average daily rates between $80-150 depending on location and amenities, while analyzing seasonal trends around Mardi Gras, Red River Revel, and military training cycles. Research competition through Airbnb and VRBO searches within 3-mile radius of target areas, noting occupancy rates, guest reviews, and pricing strategies of successful hosts, particularly those near Eldorado Resort Casino, Sam's Town, and the Convention Center. Utilize tools like Rabbu, BiggerPockets calculators, and local MLS data through Shreveport-Bossier MLS, while connecting with local real estate agents familiar with STR regulations and neighborhood dynamics, and monitor the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau data for upcoming events and tourism projections that could impact demand and profitability.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Shreveport, Louisiana, you must first contact the City of Shreveport Planning Department at 505 Travis Street to determine zoning compliance, as short-term rentals are typically only permitted in certain residential and commercial zones. Submit an application for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) along with a completed application form, property survey, site plan showing parking arrangements, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of insurance with minimum $1 million liability coverage, and a $350 application fee. Additionally, you'll need to obtain a business license from the City Clerk's office for approximately $50 annually and register for local occupancy taxes with the Shreveport Tax Department. Required documents include a floor plan indicating maximum occupancy, emergency evacuation plan, smoke detector certification, and contact information for a local property manager if you're not residing within 50 miles of the property. The city requires at least one off-street parking space per bedroom, compliance with all building and fire codes, and adherence to noise ordinances with quiet hours typically from 10 PM to 7 AM. The approval process generally takes 30-45 days from submission of a complete application, during which time the Planning Commission will review the request and may require a public hearing if neighboring properties object. Once approved, you must display the permit number in all online listings and renew annually, with the city conducting periodic inspections to ensure ongoing compliance with safety and zoning requirements.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Shreveport, Louisiana, but operate under specific regulations established by the city. As of 2023, Shreveport requires STR operators to obtain a business license and comply with zoning restrictions that generally limit short-term rentals to commercial districts and certain residential areas, while prohibiting them in some single-family residential neighborhoods. The city has implemented occupancy limits, parking requirements, and noise ordinances that STR operators must follow. Property owners must also ensure their rentals meet safety standards and may face restrictions on the number of guests and vehicles allowed. Recent changes have included stricter enforcement of existing regulations and enhanced penalties for non-compliance, with the city working to balance the economic benefits of short-term rentals against neighborhood concerns about noise, parking, and residential character preservation.

The best Airbnb investment areas in Shreveport, Louisiana include the Highland neighborhood, which offers historic charm and proximity to Louisiana State University Shreveport attracting visiting families and university-related travelers; Downtown Shreveport near the Red River District, benefiting from casino tourism with properties like Sam's Town and Horseshoe Bossier City drawing consistent visitor traffic year-round; the Cross Lake area providing waterfront appeal for leisure travelers and fishing enthusiasts; Pierremont/South Highlands for its upscale residential character attracting business travelers and medical tourists visiting Willis-Knighton and Ochsner LSU health systems; and areas near Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City capturing military family relocations and official travel demand. These locations capitalize on Shreveport's position as a regional hub for gaming tourism, military presence, healthcare services, and its role as a stopover point between Dallas and Atlanta, with the annual Holiday in Dixie festival and Red River Revel arts festival providing seasonal booking spikes.

In Shreveport, Louisiana, Airbnb hosts are subject to multiple lodging taxes including the Louisiana state sales tax of 4.45%, Caddo Parish sales tax of approximately 5%, and the City of Shreveport hotel occupancy tax of 13% on gross rental receipts for stays under 30 days. The combined effective tax rate typically ranges from 22-23% of the rental amount. These taxes are generally collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking through their automated tax collection system, which began around 2018-2019 for Louisiana jurisdictions. Airbnb remits the collected state and local sales taxes monthly to the Louisiana Department of Revenue and the hotel occupancy tax to the City of Shreveport on behalf of hosts. However, hosts remain responsible for registering with local tax authorities, obtaining necessary permits, and ensuring compliance with all applicable tax obligations. Stays of 30 days or longer are typically exempt from the transient occupancy tax but may still be subject to regular sales tax. Some jurisdictions may offer exemptions for certain types of guests such as government employees or long-term medical patients, though specific exemption criteria vary by locality and hosts should verify current requirements with the Shreveport Revenue Department and Louisiana Department of Revenue.

Starting an Airbnb in Shreveport, Louisiana requires approximately $180,000-220,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase costs average $145,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property typically runs $12,000-18,000 including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and decor. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations total around $3,000-5,000. Permits and fees in Shreveport include business license ($50), short-term rental permit ($200), and potential zoning compliance costs totaling approximately $500-1,000. Insurance for short-term rentals costs $1,200-2,000 annually, with an upfront payment of $300-500. Utility deposits and connections for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable run about $800-1,200. First six months operating costs including utilities ($180/month), cleaning services ($75 per turnover), maintenance reserves ($200/month), property management software ($50/month), and marketing expenses total approximately $3,600-4,800, assuming 60% occupancy rates typical for the Shreveport market.

Airbnb properties in Shreveport, Louisiana typically generate average monthly revenues of $1,200-$2,800 depending on property type and location, with downtown and riverfront properties commanding higher rates around $85-120 per night while suburban homes average $45-75 nightly. Operating expenses generally run 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($25-40 per turnover), utilities ($150-250 monthly), property management (15-25% if outsourced), insurance ($100-200 monthly), and maintenance costs averaging $200-400 monthly. Properties near the Red River District, Louisiana Boardwalk, and Centenary College show stronger occupancy rates of 65-75% compared to 45-60% in outer areas. A typical 3-bedroom home generating $2,000 monthly revenue faces approximately $1,100 in expenses, yielding net profit margins of 35-45% for well-managed properties. Success factors include proximity to Shreveport's casino district, professional photography, competitive pricing 10-15% below hotels, and maintaining 4.5+ star ratings through consistent cleanliness and guest communication. Properties within 5 miles of Barksdale Air Force Base benefit from steady military personnel bookings, while homes near the Convention Center capitalize on business travelers, with some investors reporting annual returns of 12-18% on properly leveraged investments in desirable neighborhoods like South Highlands and Pierremont.

Airbnb investments in Shreveport, Louisiana typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% based on current market conditions. Properties in downtown areas near the Red River District and casino entertainment zones command higher nightly rates of $75-120, while suburban locations average $50-85 per night. Initial profitability usually occurs within 12-18 months for well-positioned properties, with break-even points accelerated by Shreveport's growing medical tourism sector due to major healthcare facilities and the city's position as a regional hub. The market benefits from consistent demand from business travelers, medical patients, and tourists visiting nearby casinos, with occupancy rates typically ranging 65-75% annually. Investment properties requiring $20,000-40,000 in initial capital and renovations generally achieve positive cash flow within the first year, with total ROI reaching 15-20% by year three when factoring in property appreciation and optimized pricing strategies.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors in Shreveport, Louisiana. Local real estate agents like Keller Williams Red River and Coldwell Banker Gosslee have agents experienced in investment properties who understand the Shreveport market dynamics. National services include Awning, which provides full-service Airbnb property management and acquisition assistance, and Mashvisor, an analytics platform that helps investors identify profitable rental properties in Louisiana markets. BiggerPockets connects investors with local professionals in the Shreveport area, while companies like RedAwning and Vacasa offer market analysis and property management services that can guide investment decisions. Local investment-focused realtors at RE/MAX and Century 21 often work with clients seeking short-term rental properties in desirable neighborhoods like the Highland and South Highlands areas. AirDNA provides market data and revenue projections specifically for Shreveport's short-term rental market, helping investors make informed decisions about property purchases in this growing Louisiana market.