§ 10-53 — Class A permits
Code of the City of New Orleans (Supp. No. 118, Update 1: codified through Ordinance No. 30771, adopted September 17, 2026) · New Orleans City Code § 10-53
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Sec. 10-53. - Class A permits.
The director of the department of safety and permits shall issue the following types of Class A retail alcoholic beverage permits: (1) Class A - General: a. A Class A - General retail permit for alcoholic beverages shall be issued only to a retail outlet where alcoholic beverage is sold on the premises for consumption on or off the premises by paying customers. Such an establishment must be equipped with a permanent wet bar equipped with a nonmovable sink and backbar or similar equipment for public display and to inform the public of brands and flavors offered for sale. b. A Class A - General retail establishment shall be staffed by a bartender whose primary duty is to open and/or prepare alcoholic beverage products for consumption on or off the premises by paying customers, or prepared with an appropriate lid or cover on the container for takeout service. Such an establishment must meet all state and city health and zoning requirements as set forth by the state or the city. c. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a Class A - General retail permit shall be issued only to an establishment where city and state law provides that no person under the age of 18 years is allowed on the premises except as provided by R.S. 26:90(A)(8)(a) and 26:286(A)(8)(a). (2) Class A - Restaurant permit: a. A Class A - Restaurant permit shall be issued only to a "restaurant establishment" as defined in subsection b. below. Every restaurant shall have a valid Class "R" permit issued by the state. b. For purposes of this section, "restaurant establishment" shall be defined as an establishment: i. Which operates a place of business whose purpose and primary function is to take orders for and serve food and food items; ii. Which serves alcoholic beverages in conjunction with meals; iii. Which serves food on all days of operation; iv. Which maintains separate sales figures for alcoholic beverages; and v. Which operates a fully equipped kitchen used for the preparation of uncooked foods for service and consumption of such foods on the premises of the establishment; and vi. Which grosses at least 50 percent of its average monthly revenue from the retail sale of food, food items that are prepared for service and consumption on the premises of the establishment, and nonalcoholic beverages. (3) Class A - Restaurant—Conditional permit: a. Any retail establishment may be issued a Class A - Restaurant—Conditional permit provided it meets the requirements of subsection (2)b.i., ii., iii., iv., v., and vi. of this section during the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. each day of operation. b. Notwithstanding subsection (1)c. of this section or any other law to the contrary, any establishment which qualifies and receives a Class A - Restaurant—Conditional permit in accordance with this subsection may permit any person under the age of 18 on their premises between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., provided that persons under 17 years of age are subject to city curfew laws as provided in section 54-414 et seq. (4) Class A - Hotel permit: a. A Class A - Hotel permit shall be issued only to a hotel as defined in the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and as licensed as such by the department of safety and permits. b. A Class A - Hotel permit shall permit a hotel to serve alcoholic beverages if service is open to all guests, which may be open to the general public, to guest rooms through room service or in-room mini-bars, and at amenities open exclusively to hotel customers and other paying guests, such as pool areas or in spas. (5) Class A - Caterer permit—Stand alone or Attached: a. A Class A - Caterer permit, Stand-alone, shall be issued only to a caterer as defined herein. A stand-alone caterer permit allows businesses to sell and serve alcoholic beverages at catered events or gatherings off its premises. b. A Class A - Caterer permit, Attached, allows businesses that hold a current alcohol permit to sell and serve alcoholic beverages at an event other than on the premises for which the holder's regular permit is issued, on a temporary basis, limited to three consecutive days in duration. This attached permit shall only be issued to holders of a current alcohol permit limited to the following: a. Restaurants; b. Bars; and c. Retail dealers whose primary purpose is the sale of packaged alcoholic beverages. c. The holder of this permit shall maintain a business office address, and must keep this address on file with the department, but may provide service at remote locations, including but not limited to reception facilities and other event venues which are permitted by the department of safety and permits to host events and which comply with all other applicable laws and licensure requirements. d. The holder of this permit is subject to all State of Louisiana limitations on gross annual and per event alcohol sales caps and must maintain separate sales figures for alcoholic beverages available to the director of finance. e. This permit shall not be issued in lieu of a special event permit. (6) Class A - Educational permit: a. Class A - Educational permit shall be issued only to university or vocational educational facilities as defined in the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, and licensed as such by the department of safety and permits. b. A Class A - Educational permit shall allow a university or vocational educational facility to provide alcoholic beverage service to guest at functions, occasions, and/or events at the permitted location. c. This permit shall only be issued if the location's base zoning district authorizes an alcoholic beverage outlet by-right.
(M.C.S., Ord. No. 18,142, § 1, 3-20-97; M.C.S., Ord. No. 27737, § 1, 4-19-18; M.C.S., Ord. No. 28191, § 1, 10-3-19)
