Landscaping Rules in New Orleans, LA (2026)
4 verified landscaping rules for New Orleans, Louisiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Residents can ask the Department of Parks and Parkways in writing to prune or cut back a city tree adjoining their property under Code § 106-219, but the work must be done by a licensed arborist with at least ten working days' advance notice and prior written departmental approval.
New Orleans Street Tree Pruning Request Process
Some RestrictionsNew Orleans Code of Ordinances § 106-219(a), (c)
Sec. 106-219. - Request for pruning. Requests may be made to the department in writing for the cutting, pruning, or removal of a city tree adjoining, adjacent to, or abutting private property. (a)If it is found that a city tree substantially causes loss, damage, or deprivation of the lawful use of such property, then the department may cut, prune, or remove such tree.(c)All such requests for cu...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
New Orleans requires written approval from the Department of Parks and Parkways before anyone cuts, prunes, treats or removes a tree on city property or in the public right-of-way. The rule, rewritten in March 2025, covers only city-owned trees: private-property tree removal falls under the separate Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance.
Permit Required to Remove New Orleans City Trees
Significant RestrictionsNew Orleans Code of Ordinances §§ 106-213, 106-217
(a)No tree, shrub or plant shall be planted on city property by any person without the prior written permission of the department.(b)Any tree, shrub or plant planted in any city property may be removed by the department at the expense of the responsible party.(c)Each tree, plant, shrub, or other vegetation planted on city property shall become the property of the city.(d)No tree shall be remove...
Weed Ordinances
New Orleans's nuisance code requires every property owner, occupant or lessee to cut and mow grass and weeds so they never rise above ten inches, under City Code § 66-312. Violators face escalating fines of $75, $150 and $200 after a correction notice goes unanswered.
New Orleans Duty to Mow Grass & Weeds
Some RestrictionsNew Orleans Code of Ordinances § 66-312
Sec. 66-312. - Duty to maintain plant growth, remove debris and graffiti. (a)It shall be the duty of every owner(s) of real estate within the city, or in case of a property whose primary purpose is commercial, the duty of the owner(s), occupant(s), or lessee(s) to at all times cut and mow the grass, weeds, or other deleterious or unhealthful growths on their respective property and in the space...
Composting
New Orleans has no ordinance banning home composting, so residents may compost yard and food scraps. Composting must not create odor, rodent, or nuisance conditions, and dumping grass clippings or trimmings on city property is prohibited.
Backyard Composting in New Orleans
Some RestrictionsNew Orleans City Code Sec. 106-212(k)
Dumping of grass clippings, tree trimmings, rocks or refuse of any nature on city property is prohibited.