Ban all commercial short-term rentals in New Orleans
The Issue
In a city as rich in cultural heritage and community spirit as New Orleans, it's heartbreaking to see the fabric of our neighborhoods being unraveled by the proliferation of commercial short-term rentals. These rentals, often owned by absentee landlords, are turning our historic communities into transient places where true neighborhood bonds are eroded. They cater to visitors rather than residents, and this shift threatens the very core of what makes our city vibrant and unique.
(1.) Neighborhoods are being destroyed: Commercial STRs erode communities, gut affordable housing across all income levels, and wreck quality of life. They displace neighborhood-serving businesses, hurting all of New Orleans.
(2.) Legitimate businesses are suffering: Hotels and bed-and-breakfasts follow the rules and pay taxes. Commercial STRs are basically unstaffed hotels that dodge accountability.
(3.) The laws cannot be enforced: New Orleans has proven it cannot enforce its own STR regulations — many listings are illegal, inspectors are blocked, fines go untracked, and violations go unpunished.
(4.) Platforms are built to cheat: Billion-dollar corporations like Airbnb, Booking.com, Stay Heirloom, and more are designed to circumvent local laws, compromising the City’s Department of Safety & Permits’ ability to do its job.
(5.) Corporate operators game the system: Bad actors overwhelm the adjudication process through delay, evasion, and obstruction. Instead of dealing with bad STR operators, code enforcement officers should be addressing blight and other quality-of-life issues in our neighborhoods.
Furthermore, commercial short-term rentals often fail to contribute adequately to local taxes, straining our city's resources while benefiting from our infrastructure. This is a gross imbalance that neglects the long standing commitment of permanent residents who have supported our local economies for years.
To preserve the essence of New Orleans, we must act decisively. By banning commercial short-term rentals, we can ensure that housing remains affordable and available to those who call this city THEIR home year round. We can protect our neighborhoods from becoming hollow shells echoing with fleeting visitors rather than community vitality!
Join me in demanding action to preserve the spirit and community of New Orleans. Sign this petition to urge our city council to enact a ban on commercial short-term rentals and safeguard our city for its rightful residents. Let us take a stand for the cultural integrity and long term sustainability of our neighborhoods!
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The Issue
In a city as rich in cultural heritage and community spirit as New Orleans, it's heartbreaking to see the fabric of our neighborhoods being unraveled by the proliferation of commercial short-term rentals. These rentals, often owned by absentee landlords, are turning our historic communities into transient places where true neighborhood bonds are eroded. They cater to visitors rather than residents, and this shift threatens the very core of what makes our city vibrant and unique.
(1.) Neighborhoods are being destroyed: Commercial STRs erode communities, gut affordable housing across all income levels, and wreck quality of life. They displace neighborhood-serving businesses, hurting all of New Orleans.
(2.) Legitimate businesses are suffering: Hotels and bed-and-breakfasts follow the rules and pay taxes. Commercial STRs are basically unstaffed hotels that dodge accountability.
(3.) The laws cannot be enforced: New Orleans has proven it cannot enforce its own STR regulations — many listings are illegal, inspectors are blocked, fines go untracked, and violations go unpunished.
(4.) Platforms are built to cheat: Billion-dollar corporations like Airbnb, Booking.com, Stay Heirloom, and more are designed to circumvent local laws, compromising the City’s Department of Safety & Permits’ ability to do its job.
(5.) Corporate operators game the system: Bad actors overwhelm the adjudication process through delay, evasion, and obstruction. Instead of dealing with bad STR operators, code enforcement officers should be addressing blight and other quality-of-life issues in our neighborhoods.
Furthermore, commercial short-term rentals often fail to contribute adequately to local taxes, straining our city's resources while benefiting from our infrastructure. This is a gross imbalance that neglects the long standing commitment of permanent residents who have supported our local economies for years.
To preserve the essence of New Orleans, we must act decisively. By banning commercial short-term rentals, we can ensure that housing remains affordable and available to those who call this city THEIR home year round. We can protect our neighborhoods from becoming hollow shells echoing with fleeting visitors rather than community vitality!
Join me in demanding action to preserve the spirit and community of New Orleans. Sign this petition to urge our city council to enact a ban on commercial short-term rentals and safeguard our city for its rightful residents. Let us take a stand for the cultural integrity and long term sustainability of our neighborhoods!
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Petition created on August 3, 2026