Tiny home rules in New Orleans, LA — covering tiny houses on wheels (THOWs), park model RVs, and tiny home on foundation builds — determine where they are legal and how they get permitted.
New Orleans does not have a dedicated tiny home ordinance, so small dwellings on permanent foundations are regulated as either single-family homes or accessory dwelling units under the CZO. Tiny homes on wheels are treated as recreational vehicles and may not be used as permanent residences in residential zones.
New Orleans regulates small dwellings under existing categories rather than a separate tiny home ordinance. A tiny home built on a permanent foundation is treated as a single-family dwelling and must meet the underlying district's minimum lot size, setback, and height standards under the 2015 Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, plus full Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code requirements for residential construction. The IRC Appendix Q for tiny houses, which allows reduced ceiling heights and ladder access to lofts, is part of the IRC adopted statewide and may be used for dwellings 400 square feet or less. A tiny home built as a backyard accessory dwelling must comply with CZO Article 21 ADU standards including size caps, owner-occupancy requirements in many districts, and HDLC or Vieux Carre review where applicable. Tiny homes on wheels (THOWs) are treated as recreational vehicles or park trailers and cannot legally serve as permanent residences in residential zoning districts; they may be parked on a residential lot only as temporary visitor accommodation under limits in Municipal Code, and may not be connected to permanent utilities for full-time occupancy. Manufactured homes meeting HUD code are permitted only in specifically designated districts, not in standard single-family zones. FEMA flood elevation requirements and ASCE 7 wind standards apply to all permanent tiny homes.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact New Orleans code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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See how New Orleans's tiny homes rules stack up against other locations.
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