PROPERTY STANDARDS GENERALLY

New Orleans City Code ch. 26, art. VI

in effect

New Orleans City Code § 26-431 Wells to be covered.

Sec. 26-431. - Wells to be covered. (a) Each person having a well upon his premises or upon lots owned or rented by him shall cover it with a good, substantial covering in such manner as to prevent any person or animal from falling into it. (b) Any person, whether owner or tenant, violating the provisions of this section shall be fined, upon conviction, a sum not exceeding $25.00 and in default of payment thereof, imprisoned not exceeding 30 days or both at the discretion of the court. (Code 1956, § 59-4)

New Orleans City Code § 26-432 Inspection of chimneys.

Sec. 26-432. - Inspection of chimneys. (a) The inspector may enter premises and may remove bricks from any part of the chimney for the purpose of ascertaining whether the lining has been placed in the proper manner. The bricks removed shall be replaced by the owner of the premises. (b) The owner or builder shall furnish every facility to the inspector for the clear and unequivocal examination of any chimney. (Code 1956, § 11-14)

New Orleans City Code § 26-433 Maintenance of fire escapes.

Sec. 26-433. - Maintenance of fire escapes. The owner of any building upon which a fire escape is erected shall keep it in good repair and properly painted. (Code 1956, § 11-15)

New Orleans City Code § 26-434 Party walls.

Sec. 26-434. - Party walls. One who first builds in a place in the city which is not surrounded by walls may rest one-half of his wall on the land of his neighbor; provided, that he builds with stone or bricks at least as high as the first story and not in frame or otherwise; provided further that the whole thickness of such wall does not exceed 18 inches, not including the plastering, which must not be more than three inches. But such person cannot compel his neighbor to contribute to the raising of such wall. (Code 1956, § 11-16)

New Orleans City Code § 26-435 Railing required around hatchways, etc.

Sec. 26-435. - Railing required around hatchways, etc. The occupant of any store, storehouse, manufactory or other building in which hatchways, hoistways or openings of any kind, except the usual stairways, are used throughout any floor thereof or, in case such building is unoccupied and not leased, the owner thereof shall cause such hatch, hoistway or other openings to remain closed or protected by a railing at least three feet high and to be opened only when needed for the passage of merchandise and such occupant, owner or lessee shall cause such railing to be securely shut, closed and fastened at the close of each day. (Code 1956, § 11-17)

New Orleans City Code § 26-436 Stovepipes not to project into streets.

Sec. 26-436. - Stovepipes not to project into streets. No stovepipe shall be allowed to project over any sidewalk or into any street. (Code 1956, § 11-18)

New Orleans City Code § 26-437 Certain shutters to have device for opening from outside.

Sec. 26-437. - Certain shutters to have device for opening from outside. The proprietor of every building in the city having iron shutters on its windows shall cause to be attached to at least one shutter on each window on each story thereof some device or apparatus as required by R.S. 40:1579 and they shall be so applied in order that such shutters can be opened from the outside in case of fire to secure immediate access to the building on fire. (Code 1956, § 11-19)

New Orleans City Code § 26-438 Balconies to have gutters and downspouts.

Sec. 26-438. - Balconies to have gutters and downspouts. The owner of any building in the city having a balcony extending over any portion of the banquette shall provide such balcony with a metal gutter attached to the outer edge and leading into a metal downpipe leading across the banquette into the street gutter except that when such balcony is entirely covered by a roof, the gutter shall be attached to the roof in the manner above described. The owner shall also keep the gutters in such repair as to prevent leakage and drippings on the sidewalks. (Code 1956, § 11-20)

New Orleans City Code § 26-439 Type of gutter required; awnings and balconies not to drain into street.

Sec. 26-439. - Type of gutter required; awnings and balconies not to drain into street. All gutters across the banquette shall be covered gutters approved by the Department of Safety and Permits, or of proper size drain pipe. No awning or balcony shall drain directly into the street. (Code 1956, § 11-21)

New Orleans City Code § 26-440 Awnings, gutters—Equipped with downspouts.

Sec. 26-440. - Awnings, gutters—Equipped with downspouts. The owner of any building on either side of Canal Street, between Delta and Liberty Streets, having a gallery, awning or shed extending over any portion of the banquette shall provide such gallery, awning or shed with a metal gutter, to be attached to its outer edge and leading into a metal downpipe which shall be attached to the wall of the building, to conduct all drainage from the gallery, awning or shed into a covered gutter the banquette and into the drainpipe laid parallel with the curbing on both sides of the banquette in Canal Street. (Code 1956, § 11-22)

New Orleans City Code § 26-441 Where similar conditions exist.

Sec. 26-441. - Where similar conditions exist. The provisions of section 26-440 shall apply to all streets where similar conditions may exist as existed on Canal Street on July 14, 1899. (Code 1956, § 11-23)

New Orleans City Code § 26-442 Awnings or sheds not to obstruct street lights.

Sec. 26-442. - Awnings or sheds not to obstruct street lights. The director of the department of streets shall notify all such persons as may have erected awnings or sheds covering the banquettes in the city which in any way mask any of the street lights or prevent such lights from giving a full light on the banquettes and streets to alter and change such awnings or sheds so as not to obstruct the light from such lights. (Code 1956, § 11-24)

New Orleans City Code § 26-443 Maximum weight load of floors.

Sec. 26-443. - Maximum weight load of floors. It shall be unlawful for occupants of stores or warehouses to load the floors in excess of a dead load of 250 pounds per square foot. (Code 1956, § 11-25)

New Orleans City Code § 26-444 Vacant structures and buildings to be kept secured to prevent ingress.

Sec. 26-444. - Vacant structures and buildings to be kept secured to prevent ingress. It shall be the responsibility of the owner and/or the agent of the owner of any vacant structure or building to maintain such vacant structure or building so secured and in such condition that ingress into the structure or building by unauthorized persons is prevented. The owner and/or agent for the owner of any vacant structure or building that is not secured to prevent ingress shall be notified in writing of this situation and be allowed at least ten days to secure the structure or building so that ingress by unauthorized persons is prevented. (Code 1956, § 11-26)

New Orleans City Code § 26-445 Fruit and other stands prohibited on certain sidewalks.

Sec. 26-445. - Fruit and other stands prohibited on certain sidewalks. It shall be unlawful for any fruit stands, or other stands, where eatables or food of any kind or description is sold, shoe shine or bootblack stands, whether the same shall have existed prior to or at the time of the passage of the ordinance from which this section was derived, to occupy any part or portion of the sidewalk in the city in the territory bounded by Decatur Street, Magazine Street, North and South Liberty, Gravier and Bienville Streets. (Code 1956, § 11-28)

New Orleans City Code § 26-446 Repairs of leaking verandas, etc., over sidewalks.

Sec. 26-446. - Repairs of leaking verandas, etc., over sidewalks. All leaking galleries, sheds, verandas or other overhead structures that extend over the sidewalk are hereby declared public nuisances and shall be repaired by the owner thereof immediately after having been notified to do so by the department of code enforcement and failure to abate such nuisance shall be an offense. (Code 1956, § 11-31; M.C.S., Ord. No. 29758, § 1, 12-1-23)

New Orleans City Code § 26-447 Dumpsters to be properly screened from public view.

Sec. 26-447. - Dumpsters to be properly screened from public view. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, any dumpster with a gross volume of one cubic yard or more which is visible from the public right-of-way or parking area shall be properly screened from public view with a suitable and substantial opaque fence constructed of wood, metal, synthetic, plastic, vinyl or masonry material, in sound condition, substantially free from deterioration, not less than six feet high or otherwise provided by the City Code, building code or zoning ordinances with gates, and kept in a constant state of good repair with no sign or other advertising matter placed upon such fence. Dumpster fencing plans shall be submitted to the appropriate local historic commission for approval for any dumpster located in a historic district. (b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to dumpsters on public property on a temporary basis which are lawfully permitted by the department of public works nor to dumpsters on private property on a temporary basis and used in connection with construction or demolition activities permitted by the department of safety and permits. (c) The director of safety and permits may waive the requirement for screening of dumpsters to accommodate cases where the requirement would impose an unreasonable hardship or where approval of the enclosure has not been granted by a historic district commission with jurisdiction over the location. An appeal may be filed with the director on forms provided by the director. Safety and permits shall conduct a hearing on the appeal and issue a written order granting or denying the appeal. (d) The access opening to the dumpster corral shall be, if possible, a minimum of 18 to 24 inches wider than the dumpster. (M.C.S, Ord. No. 21859, § 1, 3-3-05)

New Orleans City Code § 26-448 City authorization to remediate improperly secured pools or pools with stagnant water for threats to the public health, safety and welfare.

Sec. 26-448. - City authorization to remediate improperly secured pools or pools with stagnant water for threats to the public health, safety and welfare. (1) For the purposes of this section, "pool(s)" means any pool, tank, depression or excavation, in or above ground, or other structure which shall cause retaining of water over a greater depth than 18 inches and/or having a plane surface of water greater than 150 square feet and which shall by designed or used for swimming, wading or immersion purposes by individuals. (2) The purpose of this section is to prevent stagnant water and access to pools located in the city by persons, especially children, who may be injured or killed as a result of their inability to perceive the dangers existing in the use of pools, and to prevent the spread of mosquito borne illnesses. (3) All pools as defined above, whether in-ground or above-board types, shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition and in good repair with a functioning filtration system. Private swimming pools, hot tubs and spas shall be completely surrounded by a fence or barrier at least six feet in height above the finished ground level, measured on the side of the fence or barrier which faces away from the pool. Access gates must be self-closing and self-latching. (4) Any authorized law enforcement entity has the authority to enforce this section. The city, or persons acting under its authority shall, at any reasonable time after eight days have passed following the posting of notice in accordance with section 26-242(c), enter upon premises or lot to immediately fill-in pools that are not in noncompliance with this section pursuant to the emergency procedures outlined in section 26-242. (5) It shall be unlawful for an owner of premises or lots in the city, or in their absence, their agents, to violate provisions of this section. (M.C.S., Ord. No. 22565, § 1, 3-15-07; M.C.S., Ord. No. 27901, § 1, 10-18-18; M.C.S., Ord. No. 28210, § 2, 10-3-19; M.C.S., Ord. No. 29189, § 2, 10-6-22)

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_CH26BUBUREHOST_ARTVIPRSTGEFetched: 10/28/2026