Animal Ordinances in New Orleans, LA (2026)
14 verified animal ordinances for New Orleans, Louisiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
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.
New Orleans Backyard Chicken and Livestock Rules
Heavy RestrictionsDog Leash Laws
All dogs in New Orleans must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet when off the owner's property under City Code Chapter 18. Dogs at large are subject to impoundment by the Louisiana SPCA. Designated off-leash dog parks include NOLA City Bark in City Park and Wisner Dog Park, where dogs may run free if they remain under voice control.
New Orleans Dog Leash Laws
Some RestrictionsBreed Restrictions
New Orleans does not have a breed-specific ban; pit bulls, Rottweilers, and other commonly restricted breeds are legal to own. However, Louisiana Revised Statutes 40:1300.51 et seq. and New Orleans City Code Chapter 18 impose strict liability and confinement rules on any dog declared dangerous or vicious after a biting incident or unprovoked attack, regardless of breed.
New Orleans Dog Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping
Beekeeping is permitted in New Orleans subject to registration of all colonies with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry under Louisiana Revised Statutes 3:2371 et seq. Hives must be set back from property lines, and water sources must be provided to discourage bees from foraging at neighbor pools. Africanized bee swarms should be reported immediately.
New Orleans Beekeeping Rules
Some RestrictionsExotic Pets
Louisiana Revised Statutes 3:2101 and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries rules prohibit private ownership of big cats, bears, nonhuman primates, venomous snakes, large constrictors, and other inherently dangerous wildlife. New Orleans City Code Chapter 18 reinforces this and bans alligators, crocodiles, and other native dangerous reptiles as pets. Permits exist only for accredited zoos, sanctuaries, and licensed exhibitors.
New Orleans Exotic Pet Rules
Heavy RestrictionsWildlife Feeding
Feeding wild alligators is a misdemeanor under Louisiana Revised Statutes 56:116.1, punishable by fines because fed alligators lose their fear of humans and become dangerous. New Orleans residents near City Park lagoons, Bayou St. John, and the levee canals must not feed alligators, ducks, nutria, or other wildlife. Feeding raccoons and feral cats also violates city nuisance rules.
New Orleans Wildlife Feeding Rules (Alligators)
Heavy RestrictionsLivestock
Cattle, horses, mules, pigs, goats, sheep, and other large livestock are prohibited in New Orleans residential and most commercial zoning districts under City Code Chapter 18. Limited keeping is permitted only in specific rural and agricultural zones, which cover a small fraction of the city near the Lower Ninth Ward and eastern New Orleans. Louisiana state law on stray and dangerous livestock applies citywide.
New Orleans Livestock Rules
Heavy RestrictionsAnimal Hoarding
New Orleans pursues hoarding situations through Ch. 4 cruelty provisions and Louisiana Revised Statutes, with the LA-SPCA, NOPD, and Health Department coordinating seizure, sheltering, and prosecution of severe cases.
Animal hoarding and cruelty enforcement protocol
Heavy RestrictionsPet Limits
New Orleans Ch. 4 caps the number of dogs and cats kept on a residential lot before kennel licensing applies, with separate Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance rules governing kennel locations and buffers.
Household pet limits and kennel permit threshold
Some RestrictionsCat Rules
New Orleans Ch. 4 requires cats over four months to wear current rabies tags and prohibits any cat from running at large or causing nuisance on neighboring property under city animal-control authority.
Cat licensing, vaccination, and roaming rules
Some RestrictionsMandatory Spay/Neuter
New Orleans Ch. 4 requires sterilization of intact cats and dogs reclaimed from the LA-SPCA shelter and of animals adopted from any city-contracted facility before release back to owners.
Mandatory sterilization for impounded reclaimed pets
Some RestrictionsMicrochipping
Animals released from the Louisiana SPCA shelter under New Orleans contract are microchipped before discharge, with chip information registered to the owner under Ch. 4 animal services protocols.
Microchip requirement for dogs, cats reclaimed
Few RestrictionsPet Store Rules
Pet stores in New Orleans must hold a city occupational license, comply with Ch. 4 humane standards, and meet Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry pet-dealer rules under LA RS 3:2351 et seq.
Pet shop licensing and humane sourcing standards
Some RestrictionsVeterinary Clinic Zoning
The Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance allows veterinary clinics in commercial and mixed-use districts, with overnight boarding and outdoor runs subject to additional standards or conditional-use approval through the City Planning Commission.