New Orleans does not charge separate development impact fees for ADUs but applies standard Sewerage and Water Board (SWB) water/sewer connection fees and Entergy New Orleans electric service charges. Building permit fees through the Department of Safety and Permits are based on construction valuation. Louisiana has no statewide ADU fee waiver. Flood zone construction adds elevation certificate and floodplain development fees.
New Orleans does not have an impact fee structure comparable to California or Texas cities. The city does not charge separate water/wastewater impact fees but the Sewerage and Water Board (SWB) charges new-service connection fees of approximately $1,500–$3,500 for new water taps and $1,000–$2,500 for sewer connections based on the 2024 schedule, varying with meter size and lateral length. ADUs sharing the principal dwelling's existing water meter and sewer lateral avoid these connection fees. Entergy New Orleans handles electric service charges separately for new meters. Building permit fees through the Department of Safety and Permits under City Code Chapter 26 are based on construction valuation — typically $400–$900 for a small ADU plus plan-check fees (about 65% of permit fee) and trade permits (electrical, plumbing, mechanical). Historic district properties pay an additional Certificate of Appropriateness fee to VCC ($150–$500) or HDLC ($100–$400). Flood zone construction requires a separate Floodplain Development Permit and Elevation Certificate ($300–$800) under City Code Chapter 78. Louisiana has no statewide ADU impact-fee waiver. The Office of Community Development administers affordable housing programs that may waive certain fees for income-restricted ADUs but these require separate application and HUD compliance.
Failure to pay SWB connection fees or city permit fees results in permit denial or revocation. Operating an ADU on an unauthorized SWB connection is a service-rule violation. Building code violations carry fines up to $500 per day under City Code Section 6-22.
New Orleans, LA
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