New Orleans permits a limited number of backyard chickens (generally up to 5 hens) for personal use under City Code Chapter 18, but roosters are prohibited because of noise. Coops must be set back from neighboring dwellings and kept sanitary. Larger livestock such as goats, pigs, cows, and horses are prohibited in residential districts citywide.
Under New Orleans City Code Chapter 18 (Animals and Fowl), residents may keep a small number of female chickens for personal egg use provided that the coop is enclosed, predator-resistant, and kept clean and free of odor and vermin. Roosters are prohibited because crowing constitutes a noise nuisance. Coops must be set back at least 10 feet from any property line and 20 feet from any neighboring dwelling, though residents should confirm current setback distances with the Department of Sanitation and the Office of the Veterinarian. Slaughter of any animal is prohibited within the city except by licensed processors. Pigs, goats, cows, sheep, horses, and other livestock are not allowed on residential lots regardless of lot size; agricultural use is generally limited to specific zoning districts and to historic urban farms recognized through the CZO. Owners are responsible for proper feed storage to avoid attracting rats, which are a chronic concern in the city's older neighborhoods. Coops near the levees or in flood zones must be elevated or removable to comply with floodplain rules. Complaints about odor, noise, or unsanitary coops are investigated by the Louisiana SPCA, which holds the city's animal control contract.
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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