Land use in New Orleans is governed by the 2015 Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, a form-based code, implementing the Plan for the 21st Century Master Plan. The CZO replaces the prior 1970 ordinance and creates dozens of base, overlay, and historic core districts.
Adopted in 2015 after years of post-Katrina rebuilding, the CZO is the city's primary land use regulation. Unlike some traditional Euclidean codes, large portions of the CZO are form-based, especially in historic core neighborhoods, regulating building form, frontage, and use intensity. Base districts include residential, mixed-use, commercial, and industrial. Overlay districts include the Vieux Carre, Magazine Street, Riverfront Use, and various Local Historic Districts, layered over base zoning. The CZO is administered by the City Planning Commission and Safety and Permits, and amendments must be consistent with the Master Plan, which has the force of law under the Home Rule Charter.
Operating a use not allowed in the applicable district, exceeding bulk standards, or building without a zoning verification triggers code enforcement action, stop-work orders, fines, and potential daily penalties under Chapter 26 administrative provisions.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
New Orleans, LA
City Code Ch. 66, Art. IV defines nighttime quiet hours as 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. on weekends. In residential receiv...
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans has no general city ordinance regulating residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays. However, the Vieux Carré Commission and His...
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Inflatables are permitted on private property subject to r...
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans has no city ordinance specifying installation dates, removal deadlines, or brightness limits for residential holiday light displays. However, pro...
New Orleans, LA
Built-in outdoor kitchens in New Orleans require building, gas, electrical, and plumbing permits through the Department of Safety and Permits via the One Sto...
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential backyard smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired ovens. Operation is governed by general ...
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