Tree removal permit rules in New Orleans, LA — sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances — list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
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.
Under New Orleans City Code Chapter 110 and CZO Article 23, all trees within the public right-of-way are owned by the city and may not be removed, transplanted, or substantially damaged without a written permit from the Department of Parks and Parkways. Permit applications require justification (dead, diseased, hazardous, or conflicting with construction) and are reviewed by city arborists. Heritage live oaks and other significant species on private property in HDLC and Vieux Carre districts are also protected; removal without permit can result in fines and a replacement obligation tied to the appraised value of the tree using the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers method, which can run into thousands of dollars for a mature live oak. Even hazardous trees should be assessed by a certified arborist and documented before removal; emergency removal after a storm is allowed but should be reported. Construction projects that affect the critical root zone of a protected tree (a circle with radius equal to one foot per inch of trunk diameter) require a tree protection plan as part of the permit. Stumps must be ground out and the right-of-way restored. Replacement trees specified by the city are typically native species (live oak, bald cypress, swamp red maple) of a minimum caliper.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact New Orleans code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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See how New Orleans's tree removal & heritage trees rules stack up against other locations.
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