New Orleans, LA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 106-217(a), (c), (f), Ch. 106 Art. IV
- Permit issuer
- Dept. of Parks and Parkways
- Ownership on planting
- Planted material becomes city property
- Unauthorized planting
- May be removed at planter's expense
- Sight-line rule
- 6 ft. clearance for 25 ft. from intersections
- Watering standard
- 2x/week Mar.-Oct., 1x/week rest of year
Summary
Nobody may plant a tree, shrub or plant on New Orleans city property, including neutral grounds and rights-of-way, without prior written permission from the Department of Parks and Parkways under Code § 106-217(a); once planted, it becomes city property.
(a)No tree, shrub or plant shall be planted on city property by any person without the prior written permission of the department.(c)Each tree, plant, shrub, or other vegetation planted on city property shall become the property of the city.(f)Written permission must be attained for the temporary use of city property under the jurisdiction of the department, including but not limited to neutral grounds, rights-of-way, and parks.
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
Section 106-217, 'Written permission required,' opens with the baseline planting rule: no tree, shrub or plant shall be planted on city property by any person without the department's prior written permission. ' Once a tree, plant or shrub is planted on city property, § 106-217(c) makes it the property of the city outright, and the department may remove any unauthorized planting at the responsible party's expense under § 106-217(b). Section 106-217(g) requires the department to keep a public record of every permitted planting, removal and maintenance action.
Any planting that is approved then falls under the maintenance duties in § 106-218: the permittee is responsible for mulching, weeding, irrigating, fertilizing and pruning, plant materials must be kept healthy and free of pests or disease, tree topping is prohibited outright, and clear sight lines of at least six feet in height must be maintained for 25 feet from every intersection so new street plantings don't create a traffic hazard.
Violations & Fines
Planting on a neutral ground or right-of-way without the department's prior written permission lets the department remove the unauthorized tree, shrub or plant at the planter's own expense under § 106-217(b). Violations of Article IV generally carry the Code's general penalty under § 1-13 via § 106-220, with each day of an ongoing violation a separate offense, and the department can order a stop-work order for any unapproved planting activity in progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plant a tree on the neutral ground in front of my house?
Who owns a tree I plant on the neutral ground?
What happens if I plant without permission?
Are there rules for maintaining an approved parkway planting?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Orleans
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