New regulations may be coming for short-term AirBnB rentals in East Baton Rouge Parish

By Judy J. Beasley Last updated Dec 25, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) — The Planning Commission has taken the next step by establishing regulations for short-term rentals like AirBnBs and other properties around East Baton Rouge Parish.

The committee unanimously approved the proposal on Monday 19 September. It is now submitted to the Metro Council for a final vote.

“It’s a victory. This is a first step,” said Mary Jane Marcantel, former president of the Spanish Town Civic Association.

Under the proposed plan, whole-home rentals where the owner is not present would need to obtain a permit. Rentals where the owner lives on the property can operate without a permit, but would have to pay taxes and register with the parish town.

However, both could lose their ability to rent if they get three violations in a one-year period.

“These regulations are just put in place to keep everyone honest,” said Janice DeLorno, who operates the Stockade Bed & Breakfast. “It’s not to prevent people from having an AirBnB, it’s to make people play by the rules. We just want to level the playing field.”

“It does not prevent anyone from having a short-term rental”, Marcantel. “All they need to do is sign up, access the platform and abide by the rules in place to operate their business.”

Not everyone was happy with the new rules.

“It’s just a concern. It’s just disappointing,” said Brian Mackey, AirBnB owner and real estate agent.

Some wondered how it would be applied, and others shared concerns about how it might affect their business.

Mackey owns and operates a handful of AirBnB properties in the Mid-City and Capitol Heights area.

He left the meeting feeling uncertain about the future of his business.

“Where do we go from here? I do not know. I just have to hope for the best,” Mackey said.

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