Homelessness & Encampment Rules in New Orleans, LA (2026)
2 verified homelessness & encampment rules for New Orleans, Louisiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sit-Lie Rules
New Orleans Code § 146-493 bars anyone from depositing, storing or placing tents, household furniture or other semi-permanent structures on streets, sidewalks or other public rights-of-way. The Health Department enforces removal under a 2015 council-approved obstruction protocol.
New Orleans Sidewalk Obstruction Ban
Significant RestrictionsNew Orleans Code of Ordinances § 146-493
(a)It is the intent of this section to maintain public streets, sidewalks, and other areas in the city in a clean, accessible and safe condition.(b)It shall be unlawful for any person, natural or juridical, to deposit, encumber, obstruct, or cause to be obstructed any street, gutter, sidewalk, public space parallel to any sidewalk, entrance or window of any building, or any other public place o...
Encampment Sanitation
New Orleans Code §§82-693–82-703 lets the Department of Health inspect and remediate homeless encampments on public property, generally requiring 24-hour written notice before personal property is removed, with an emergency exception for encampments deemed obstructions or immediate hazards.
New Orleans Encampment Removal Rules
Significant RestrictionsNew Orleans Code § 82-696(a),(d); § 82-700(a)
No personal property shall be removed from an encampment prior to the city providing notice. ... The notice shall be posted at least 24 hours before anticipated remediation efforts. ... Encampments that are deemed obstructions, pursuant to sections 146-493, 146-494, and as otherwise defined, may be removed immediately pursuant to the city's emergency police powers. The 24-hour notice requiremen...