Jefferson Parish, LA Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing code
- UDC § 33-10.3.2; § 33-1.25(b)(1)b
- Applies to
- Old Metairie Neighborhood Conservation District
- Landmark tests
- 4 alternative historic/architectural/cultural criteria
- Nominating body
- Old Metairie Commission (OMC)
- Owner consent required
- Yes, before National Register nomination
Summary
Jefferson Parish's Old Metairie Neighborhood Conservation District has its own path to landmark status for parcels of particular historic, architectural, or cultural significance. The Unified Development Code defines 'landmark' by four alternative tests, and the Old Metairie Commission can recommend a qualifying landmark for the National Register of Historic Places, but only with the property owner's consent.
Landmark shall mean a parcel with improvements of particular historic, architectural or cultural significance within the Old Metairie Neighborhood Conservation District that meets any of the following conditions: A.Exemplifies the broad cultural, political, economic or social history of the community, state or nation;B.Identifies with historic persons or important events in the local, state or national history;C.Embodies distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type valuable for a study of a period, style, method of construction, or indigenous materials or craftsmanship and;D.Represents notable work of a master builder, designer or architect whose individual ability has been recognized.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 20 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Jefferson Parish's cultural-monument protection is built into the definitions governing its Old Metairie Neighborhood Conservation District (OMNCD), one of the parish's overlay conservation zones on the East Bank. 2 defines a 'landmark' as a parcel with improvements of particular historic, architectural, or cultural significance within the OMNCD that meets any of four conditions: it exemplifies the broad cultural, political, economic, or social history of the community, state, or nation; it identifies with historic persons or important events in local, state, or national history; it embodies distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type valuable for studying a period, style, construction method, or indigenous materials and craftsmanship; or it represents notable work of a master builder, designer, or architect whose ability has been recognized.
25(b)(1)b to recommend to the parish council that a significant structure or landmark be nominated for historic recognition by the National Register of Historic Places, but that recommendation requires the consent of the property owner before it can move forward. The OMC otherwise reviews the planning director's recommendations on OMNCD development proposals and advises the parish council and board of zoning adjustments on text amendments, major subdivisions, special permitted uses, and variances affecting OMNCD property, giving landmark parcels an extra layer of design review that ordinary parcels in the district do not receive.
Violations & Fines
Because National Register nomination under Section 33-1.25(b)(1)b requires the property owner's consent, the parish cannot force landmark designation onto an unwilling owner, and there is no separate penalty provision tied to landmark status itself. A landmark parcel remains subject to the OMNCD's ordinary development review: proposals affecting it go through the planning director and the Old Metairie Commission, and demolition or demolition-by-neglect of any structure in the district, landmark or not, is defined and regulated separately under Section 33-10.3.2's OMNCD provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a property a 'landmark' in Jefferson Parish?
Can Jefferson Parish designate my property a landmark without my agreement?
Does landmark status apply outside Old Metairie?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jefferson Parish
Compare Jefferson Parish to another location·View the Louisiana historic preservation overview
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