New Orleans's Rental Property Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles rental property rules a little differently. In New Orleans, Louisiana, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Repairs & Habitability

New Orleans requires every rental housing unit in Orleans Parish to meet eleven baseline habitability standards under Code § 26-656, working smoke and, where required, carbon monoxide detectors, hot water at 110°F, heat to 68°F, cooling to 80°F, sound plumbing, and mold- and rodent-free conditions, enforced by the Department of Safety and Permits as part of the Healthy Homes Program.

Key details: Minimum hot water temp: 110°F at every fixture. Minimum heat: 68°F in habitable rooms. Maximum cooling temp: 80°F in bedrooms. Enforcing agency: Dept. of Safety and Permits. Governing program: Healthy Homes Program, Ch. 26 Art. XIII.

Failing to meet § 26-656 standards is a housing violation under § 26-670, with penalties capped at the maximum monetary amount allowed under state law and each day of non-compliance charged as a separate offense. A hearing officer can revoke the certificate of compliance under § 26-671 for repeated or intentional violations, triggering a mandatory 60-day notice to displaced lessees. A revoked certificate cannot be reissued until all violations are cured and outstanding fines, fees and liens are paid; the city may also seek injunctive relief and discontinue electrical service.

Rental Registration

New Orleans' Healthy Homes Program bars anyone from renting out a residential unit, long-term or short-term, without first registering it and holding a certificate of compliance from the department of safety and permits, under City Code §§ 26-660 and 26-661.

Key details: Certificate term: 2 years, renew each cycle. Late fee: $50 within 60 days, then $200. Timely registration fee: no fee if filed on time. Covers: long-term leases AND short-term rentals. Denial grounds: delinquent taxes, open violations/permits.

Renting out a unit without a current certificate of compliance violates § 26-660 and is enforced as a 'housing violation' under Chapter 6's administrative hearing process, with each day of continued violation a separate offense and penalties up to the maximum state law allows; the city can also pursue court relief, including discontinuing electrical service once a certificate is revoked under § 26-671, and a revoked certificate can't be reissued until fines and liens are satisfied.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. New Orleans actively enforces its rental registration requirements.

The Bottom Line

New Orleans's rental property rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming New Orleans is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from New Orleans's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.