Landscaping Rules in New Orleans, LA (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for New Orleans, Louisiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
New Orleans City Code Chapter 66 (Property Maintenance) requires that grass and weeds on private property be kept under 18 inches in height. Overgrowth is treated as a public nuisance because it harbors rats, mosquitoes, and snakes. The Department of Code Enforcement issues notices and may cut the lot at the owner's expense after a hearing, with the cost placed as a lien on the property.
New Orleans Grass and Weed Height Rules
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
Heritage live oaks (Quercus virginiana) and other significant trees on public property and in many historic districts are protected under the New Orleans Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Article 23 and Department of Parks and Parkways rules. Trimming a heritage live oak generally requires a permit from Parks and Parkways. Routine trimming of private trees that are not designated heritage specimens is allowed without a permit.
New Orleans Tree Trimming Rules (Live Oaks Protected)
Heavy RestrictionsTree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removal of any tree on the public right-of-way (including the neutral ground and the strip between sidewalk and curb) requires a permit from the New Orleans Department of Parks and Parkways. Heritage live oaks and protected trees on private property in certain districts also require permits. Unauthorized removal can trigger fines and a replacement obligation calculated from the appraised value of the lost tree.
New Orleans Tree Removal Permits
Heavy RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
New Orleans requires property owners to keep grass and weeds under 18 inches tall under City Code Sec. 66-285. Violations trigger Department of Sanitation lot abatement, with cleanup costs assessed as a lien on the property. Vacant lots in flood-prone neighborhoods are heavily targeted post-Katrina.
Weed Ordinances in New Orleans
Some RestrictionsWater Restrictions
New Orleans does not impose routine outdoor watering restrictions because the Sewerage and Water Board draws from the Mississippi River, an effectively unlimited supply. Restrictions appear only during emergencies such as boil-water advisories or major main breaks. Stormwater concerns dominate local water policy, not drought.
Water Restrictions in New Orleans
Few RestrictionsRainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is legal and actively encouraged in New Orleans through Sewerage and Water Board stormwater incentive programs. Rain barrels, cisterns, and bioswales reduce runoff into the city drainage system. Larger systems may qualify for Green Infrastructure grants under the Gentilly Resilience District program.
Rainwater Harvesting in New Orleans
Few RestrictionsNative Plants
New Orleans encourages native Louisiana landscaping but does not require it. The Parkway Partners program promotes native species for street trees and neutral grounds. Tree removal is regulated under the City Code, with permits required for any tree on public property and large trees on private lots in historic districts.
Native Plants in New Orleans
Some RestrictionsArtificial Turf
Artificial turf is permitted in New Orleans residential yards with no specific square footage cap. Installations in historic districts (French Quarter, Garden District, Marigny, Treme) require HDLC or VCC approval for visible front yards. Turf must allow stormwater infiltration to comply with city stormwater management goals.