New Orleans, LA Special Events & Permits: Block Party Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Approvals needed
- District councilmember + DPW permit
- Application fee
- $20 nonprofit / $40 other
- Standard closure fee
- $90
- CBD closure fee
- $310
- French Quarter/Canal St. fee
- $615
- Refunds
- None: fees nonrefundable
- Mardi Gras exception
- CBD/FQ fee does not apply to parades
Summary
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.
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 will be charged as follows: Application fee: Nonprofits .....$20.00 All others .....$40.00 Street closure permit .....$90.00 Street closure permit—CBD .....$310.00 Street closure permit—French Quarter and Canal Street .....$615.00 These permit fees for the CBD and the French Quarter and Canal Street shall not apply to Mardi Gras parades.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 116 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Under City Code § 146-583, the temporary closure of a street for noncommercial purposes by individuals or organizations is allowed only after two things happen: the district councilmember signs off in writing, and the director of the Department of Public Works issues a special permit, which the director may condition as needed. The section sets a two-part fee structure. 00 for everyone else. 00 in the French Quarter or on Canal Street. All of these fees are nonrefundable and cannot be waived once paid, even if the event is later canceled.
The code carves out one exception: the elevated CBD and French Quarter/Canal Street fees do not apply to Mardi Gras parades, which run through a separate carnival-parade permitting track. Because § 146-583 does not spell out its own fine, an unpermitted closure falls back on the citywide general penalty in § 1-13, which lets the city pursue the full weight of the code's default criminal penalty against anyone who blocks a public street without the councilmember's approval and the DPW permit in hand.
Violations & Fines
Closing a street without both the councilmember's written approval and a DPW-issued permit is treated as an unauthorized obstruction of a public right-of-way. Because § 146-583 sets no specific fine, § 1-13's general penalty controls: up to a $1,000 fine (or six months' imprisonment, or both) for a first offense, and up to $2,000 for a second or later offense, or the maximum penalty available under state law if greater.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who approves a block party street closure in New Orleans?
How much does a New Orleans street closure permit cost?
Are the fees refundable if my event is canceled?
What happens if I close a street without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Orleans
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