New Orleans, LA Accessory Structures: Shed Rules (2026)

Under the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code, accessory structures of one story not exceeding 200 square feet are exempt from a building permit, and New Orleans follows that threshold. However, zoning compliance is still required. The Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Article 21 treats sheds as accessory structures that must be located in the rear yard, set back at least 3 feet from side and rear property lines, and may not exceed 15 feet in height in most residential districts. Total accessory structure coverage is generally limited to 30 percent of the rear yard. Sheds with electrical service, plumbing, or mechanical connections always require permits regardless of size, and any habitable use such as conversion to a guest room is prohibited unless the structure is permitted as an ADU. In the Vieux Carre and HDLC districts, even small prefabricated sheds may need a Certificate of Appropriateness if visible from the right-of-way, with traditional materials such as wood siding generally preferred over plastic or metal. Properties in mapped FEMA flood zones must comply with the Floodplain Management Ordinance, which may require anchoring or elevation of accessory structures. Sheds may not encroach into utility servitudes, and Sewerage and Water Board easements often run along rear lot lines in older neighborhoods.