OPERATING REQUIREMENTS

New Orleans City Code ch. 162, art. VI, div. 2

in effect

New Orleans City Code § 162-541 Identifying number and current veterinary health certificate.

Sec. 162-541. - Identifying number and current veterinary health certificate. (a) Each animal must have a tattooed identifying number on the inside of its lip or ear, or on the left rump. (b) A current veterinary health certificate for each animal showing the tattoo number shall be furnished to the Louisiana SPCA office when such animal is placed in service, and no more than 12 months thereafter. The certificate will show that a veterinarian licensed in the state has given the animal a coggins test with negative results as required by state law and declares this animal to be fit for carriage service. (Code 1956, § 12-213)

New Orleans City Code § 162-542 Health of the animal.

Sec. 162-542. - Health of the animal. No animal shall be permitted to pull any carriage unless the animal is in good health and meets at least the following requirements: (1) All animals purchased subsequent to the effective date of the ordinance from which this section was derived shall be mules and must weigh at least 1,000 pounds. (2) The animal has no open sores or wounds, is not lame nor has any other ailment. Any animal found to have an ailment shall not be used without the approval of a veterinarian. (3) The hoofs of the animal must be properly shod and trimmed. (4) The animal must be groomed daily and not have fungus, dandruff or a poor or dirty coat. (5) The animal must have adequate flesh and muscle tones. (Code 1956, § 12-214)

New Orleans City Code § 162-543 Animal working conditions.

Sec. 162-543. - Animal working conditions. (a) No animal shall be worked under any of the following conditions, and any owner that allows such conditions to exist will be found in violation of this article: (1) The carriage the animal is pulling is holding more than nine people, including the driver. (2) The animal works more than seven hours in any 24-hour period with 15-minute rest periods between each trip. (3) The animal pulling a carriage is moved at a speed faster than a slow trot. (4) The animal is worked with equipment causing an impairment of vision other than normal blinders. (5) The animal is subject to any condition or treatment which will impair the good health and physical condition of the animal. (6) Between the dates of June 1 and August 31, only mules may be used in the daytime before 5:00 p.m., and total hours worked shall not exceed six hours in a 24-hour period with 30-minute rest periods between each trip. (b) Should the director of the department of public works determine that special circumstances exist which would jeopardize the safety of the animal, such as bad weather or other environmental problems, he may order the temporary suspension of the operation of all animal-drawn vehicles until such time as the special circumstances abate. (Code 1956, § 12-215; M.C.S., Ord. No. 21480, § 5, 4-1-04; M.C.S., Ord. No. 28624, § 2, 3-11-21)

New Orleans City Code § 162-544 Harness.

Sec. 162-544. - Harness. (a) No animal will be worked with a harness or bit that is not approved by the Louisiana SPCA. (b) The harness must be oiled and cleaned so as to be soft at all times. (c) The harness will be properly fitted and maintained and kept free of makeshift like wire, sisal rope, and rusty chain. (Code 1956, § 12-216)

New Orleans City Code § 162-545 Carriages.

Sec. 162-545. - Carriages. Carriages must be properly lubricated, and wheels must spin freely. (Code 1956, § 12-217)

New Orleans City Code § 162-546 Whip.

Sec. 162-546. - Whip. No driver may whip an animal with more than a light touch by a light whip approved by the Louisiana SPCA. (Code 1956, § 12-218)

New Orleans City Code § 162-547 Water.

Sec. 162-547. - Water. Adequate water will be provided in the working area and stables at all times. (Code 1956, § 12-219)

New Orleans City Code § 162-548 Stalls and stables.

Sec. 162-548. - Stalls and stables. (a) Ventilation will be provided for stalls with animals in hot weather. (b) Ceilings in stalls and stables must be at least nine feet high from bedding and flooring. Future construction will provide for ceilings at least ten feet high from bedding flooring. (c) Bedding in stalls and stables must be at least six inches deep and dry enough so as not to show wetness under the pressure of the animal's hoofs. (d) Foot hazards and sharp surfaces will not be permitted in any area or building where they may come in contact with the animals. (e) Roofs must be kept free of leaks where animals are kept. (f) Each animal must have a stall large enough for the animal to turn around. (g) Food must be kept free of contamination. (h) Animal areas must be treated to destroy and repel insects. (Code 1956, § 12-220)

New Orleans City Code § 162-549 Drivers to maintain stands in sanitary condition; diapering of animals required.

Sec. 162-549. - Drivers to maintain stands in sanitary condition; diapering of animals required. (a) Driver of CPNC-licensed horse-drawn vehicles operated under this article shall maintain stands in a sanitary condition at all times. Any failure on part of such driver to conform to the requirements of this section shall be unlawful and shall subject such drivers to the penalties provided by this article. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation or other entity to utilize any animal for the purpose of pulling any CPNC-licensed vehicle on city streets unless such animal is equipped with diapering apparatus that prevents the droppings of such animal from being deposited or otherwise left on city streets. It shall be the responsibility of the driver of a CPNC-licensed animal-drawn vehicle to see that the diapering apparatus is maintained in working order. The penalty for violation of this section committed within one year as follows: First offense: $50.00 Second offense: $100.00 Third offense: $200.00 and a temporary suspension of the driver's permit for a minimum of five days. On a subsequent violation within one year from the date of the first offense the fine is $200.00 and the suspension of the driver's permit may be a maximum of 30 days. Each company operating vehicles [is] responsible for immediate removal of the droppings. (Code 1956, § 12-221; M.C.S., Ord. No. 20970, § 1, 1-9-03)

New Orleans City Code § 162-550 Identification.

Sec. 162-550. - Identification. Each company operating carriages must identify each carriage with the name of the company prominently displayed on each side or the rear of each vehicle. (Code 1956, § 12-222)

New Orleans City Code § 162-551 Company telephone numbers.

Sec. 162-551. - Company telephone numbers. Each company will have its listed telephone number printed on the vehicle to assign responsibility for complaints. (Code 1956, § 12-223)

New Orleans City Code § 162-552 In-lieu provision.

Sec. 162-552. - In-lieu provision. In lieu of utilizing an animal drawn carriage, a holder of an animal drawn carriage CPNC may provide the same service without the use of an animal and instead use an electronic or e-carriage that adheres to all the following standards: (1) The department of public works must certify that the vehicle is an electric carriage; and (2) The vehicle must be powered by electricity or battery and not utilize a combustion engine and may not be gasoline powered; and (3) The vehicle must not be able to seat over 16 passengers in addition to a driver; and (4) The vehicle shall be no longer than 20 feet; and (5) The vehicle must not be able to exceed a speed of 25 miles per hour; and (6) To be certified as an electric carriage, the vehicle's design must be inspired by a vintage horse-drawn carriage. (M.C.S., Ord. No. 30322, § 1, 4-24-25)

Source: City of New Orleans, Code of Ordinances and Home Rule Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/la/new_orleans/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH162VEHI_ARTVIANAWVE_DIV2OPREFetched: 10/28/2026