The City of New Orleans City Planning Commission has commissioned a comprehensive study of Commercial Transient Lodging, including bed and breakfasts, hotels, motels, commercial short term rentals (CSTRs), and timeshares in commercial zoning districts in the City. Desire Line, an urban and regional planning company located in the Gulf South, is conducting the survey. On April 8, the company did an introductory presentation for the City Planning Commission (Robert Steeg is a Commissioner and Former Chair). The Study will evaluate the location, current regulations, and impacts of commercial transient lodging uses in the City of New Orleans.

Following is a synopsis of the study as outlined on the New Orleans Transient Lodging Study website.

Study Background

Since 2009, Short Term Rentals (STRs) have grown across the United States and the City of New Orleans as both a land use and a business model. The City has completed studies to manage the land use impacts of STRs in 2016, 2018, 2019.

Previous studies have documented STRs’ impact on neighborhoods, local community character, and economic opportunities available to residents and business owners. A core challenge central to this Study is managing housing supply that either provides long-term housing for the local population or short-term housing for the tourism industry. An Interim Zoning District (IZD) currently prohibit new CSTRs within the City during the course of this Study. 

Scope of the Study

The Study’s scope of work is focused on producing policy recommendations to update and modify regulations for all commercial transient lodging uses, including CSTRs, after review and analysis of existing data and public outreach and engagement. 

Community Input

In May of 2025, Desire Line conducted a series of focus groups to gather community perspectives related to three topic areas. There were both online and in person opportunities. The three topic areas included:

• Affordable Housing and Neighborhood Character
• Economic Development
• Permitted Uses and Nuisance Regulations

A Community Survey was open through May 16, 2025 and received 1,261 responses. 

Timeline

The survey results are now being analyzed alongside the outcomes of the focus groups and will be incorporated into the policy recommendations. 

• June – City Advisory Committee reviews the preliminary recommendations
• July – City Planning Commission Meeting: Presentation and Action on Study Policy Recommendations
• August/September – City Council Meeting: Presentation and Action on Final Study Policy Recommendations

If needed, there will be additional policy recommendations developed after these meetings.

Sign up for project updates on the Study website.