New Orleans does not require homeowners to use native plants, but CZO Article 23 governs required landscaping for development and favors trees and green infrastructure. Native and drought-tolerant species are encouraged, not mandated, for single-family yards.
There is no ordinance forcing homeowners to plant native species, and no ban on ornamental or non-native landscaping (aside from noxious-weed and invasive controls). For new development and larger projects, CZO Article 23 sets landscape, tree-planting, and screening standards — including yard and parking-lot landscaping and canopy trees — and the city promotes native, low-water, and stormwater-friendly plantings as best practice. Individual homeowners are free to choose their planting palette. The city's tree program (Parks and Parkways) also drives street-tree species selection on public land.
No fine for choosing non-native plants at a home; development that omits required Article 23 landscaping or screening can fail CZO plan review or be denied a certificate of occupancy.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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It is unlawful to be in a public park or playground supervised by the parkway and park commission between 10:30 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. New Orleans also enforces ...
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The CZO caps spillover light at your property line: no more than 0.5 foot-candle at a residential property line and 1.0 foot-candle at a non-residential or p...
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The CZO requires exterior lighting to be fully shielded and directed downward. Light poles and building-mounted fixtures must use fully shielded luminaires, ...
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Temporary garage/yard sale signs are allowed without a permit but may not exceed 9 square feet each. They may go up no more than 24 hours before the sale and...
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Political and non-commercial message signs are allowed in every zoning district without a permit. They are capped at 6 square feet in residential districts a...
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New Orleans has no special tiny-home category. A permanent tiny house on a foundation is regulated as a dwelling or accessory dwelling unit under the CZO and...
See how Orleans Parish's native plants rules stack up against other locations.
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