Special Events & Permits in New Orleans, LA (2026)
7 verified special events & permits rules for New Orleans, Louisiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Block Party Permits
New Orleans requires written approval from your district councilmember plus a special permit from the Department of Public Works before closing any street for a block party or other private, noncommercial event. Fees are nonrefundable and jump sharply for events in the Central Business District or French Quarter.
New Orleans Street Closure Permit for Block Parties
Significant RestrictionsNew Orleans Code of Ordinances § 146-583
The temporary closure of streets for noncommercial purposes by individuals or organizations shall be allowed only after obtaining written approval from the district councilmember and issuance of a special permit by the director of the department of public works, who is authorized to impose conditions upon the issuance thereof. These fees shall be nonrefundable and shall not be waived. ... Fees ...
Park Event Permits
Renting a New Orleans gymnasium, pool or recreation center for a party runs $350 for the first four hours plus $100 per additional hour under City Code § 106-171, and the Department of Recreation Development director can reject any booking that risks life, property or the facility. Nonprofits can get the fee waived under § 106-179.
New Orleans Park & Rec Center Rental Permit
Some RestrictionsNew Orleans Code of Ordinances § 106-171(2), (5), (6)
Sec. 106-171. - Rentals charged for use of centers, gymnasiums and pools. The following schedule of rentals and charges to be paid for the use of centers, gymnasiums and pools is hereby established: (2)Rentals for parties, balls, dances, etc.:a.For the first four hours or portion thereof: $350.00.b.For each additional hour or portion thereof: $100.00.c.Cleanup deposit: $100.00. ... (5)The direc...
Parade Permits
New Orleans caps carnival parades at 34 permits per season, issues them only to nonprofit carnival organizations, and requires both a police-issued permit with route clearance and a mayoralty permit from the department of finance under Code of Ordinances § 34-2, with applications decided within 60 days of submission.
New Orleans Carnival Parade Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsNew Orleans Code of Ordinances § 34-2
Any carnival organization desiring to stage, present or conduct a parade shall first apply for a permit and a written route clearance from the department of police and apply for and obtain a mayoralty permit through the department of finance. The department of police and the department of finance must approve or deny an application within 60 days of submission. Parade permits issued under this ...
Street Fair Rules
Vendors selling goods at a New Orleans street fair or festival need a Department of Finance permit under Code § 110-259, at $500 per location per event for entertainment-tied merchandise sales, and $25 per vendor per year for parade-permit Social Aid and Pleasure Club vendors; violation forfeits the permit.
New Orleans Festival & Street Vendor Permit
Significant RestrictionsNew Orleans Code of Ordinances § 110-259(a), (b)(2), (b)(5)
Sec. 110-259. - Permits required for various callings or occasions; fees. (b)(2)For any transient vendor, canvasser, solicitor and merchant engaged in the sale of goods, wares and merchandise in conjunction with an entertainment event, athletic or sporting event, where the sale of such merchandise is secondary as accessory to the primary purpose for the lease, use or occupation of a room, build...
Commercial Filming on Public Right-of-Way
New Orleans lets the department of property management waive city facility rental fees for one-day nonprofit, tax-exempt, or educational special events, but Code of Ordinances § 2-932(k) expressly bars any event consisting primarily of film or television production from qualifying for that waiver.
Film Shoots Excluded From Event Fee Waiver
Light RestrictionsNew Orleans Code of Ordinances § 2-932(k)
(a)Notwithstanding anything in the Code to the contrary, the director of the department of property management shall have the exclusive authority, at the request of an event sponsor, to waive any facility usage fee authorized by this division for special events lasting not more than one day that are sponsored by:1.a non-profit organization in good standing with the Louisiana Secretary of State;...
Parklets
New Orleans requires a city-issued parklet permit before any business converts a parking lane space into customer seating. The department of safety and permits reviews applications against strict siting, safety and design standards, and parklets are banned outright in the Vieux Carré and on a stretch of Magazine Street.
New Orleans Parklet Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsNew Orleans Code of Ordinances § 146-592(a)(2), (13), (14)
Parklets must be placed a minimum of 15 feet from water hydrants; 20 feet from stop signs, crosswalks, and corners; and three feet from driveways. ... Notwithstanding any other provisions herein, no parklet shall be permitted within the boundaries of the Vieux Carré ... Notwithstanding any other provisions herein, no parklet shall be permitted on Magazine Street from its intersection with Washi...
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés
Section 146-533 requires every sidewalk café to hold a sidewalk use permit tied to a validly licensed business. Fees run a $50 application charge plus $350 per table in the core tourist district (or $200 elsewhere), issued by the Department of Safety and Permits.
New Orleans Sidewalk Café License & Fees
Significant RestrictionsNew Orleans Code of Ordinances §§ 146-533, 146-543
Sec. 146-533(a)No person or business shall establish, operate, or continue to operate a sidewalk café on any public street or sidewalk unless such person or business obtains a valid sidewalk use permit pursuant to this division. Sec. 146-543 Fees.(a)Upon initial submission of an application for a sidewalk use permit, a non-refundable application fee of $50.00 shall be remitted to the department...