NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans City Council unanimously passed a temporary halt on new short-term rental permits and renewals.
Council members said this would not affect those who live in the home they're renting and certain commercial properties.
One of the three motions, introduced by Councilwoman Kristin Gisleson Palmer, create an Interim Zoning District in the Historic Core, Historic Urban and CBD zoning districts, which will prohibit the issuance of temporary and commercial STR licenses and the renewal of temporary STR licenses. Most of Gentilly, Lakeview, New Orleans East and the suburban parts of Algiers are excluded from the Interim Zoning District.
Another ends the prohibition on issuing new commercial short-term rental except on the first floor of a multi-story building allowing for residential uses.
The council also voted to expand the study of short term rental regulations to provide additional guidance for the City Planning Commission for the issuance of future STR licenses.
"There is a difference between locals sharing their properties and corporations buying up houses and apartment units and turning them into hotels," said Council President Jason Williams. "These national and sometimes international corporations are artificially driving up the cost to buy a home or rent a home in our city. That is patently unfair to people of New Orleans."
Airbnb's Public Policy Director Laura Spanjian said she is disappointed in the decision.
“It is disappointing the city council chose to punish many law-abiding New Orleans residents who depend on home sharing to support their families," she said. "We have worked closely with the City for more than two years to develop and implement fair rules, which provide the City data and tools to enforce the law and millions in tax revenue, and today’s vote flies in the face of the collaborative spirit with which we’ve approached our work with the City.”
The new restrictions will go into effect immediately and last for nine months or until the City Council comes up with new regulations to replace those passed in 2016.