DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT

New Orleans City Code ch. 26, art. IX, div. 2

in effect

New Orleans City Code § 26-576 Definitions.

Sec. 26-576. - Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this division, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Downtown development district means the area defined as downtown development district by R.S. 33:2740.3. Hotel means as defined in M.C.S., Ordinance Number 4,264, as amended, the comprehensive zoning ordinance of the city. Motel means a motel, motor court, tourist court or motor lodge as defined in M.C.S., Ordinance Number 4,264, as amended, the comprehensive zoning ordinance of the city. (Code 1956, § 11-46(a))

New Orleans City Code § 26-577 Permit issuance conditioned on number of rooms.

Sec. 26-577. - Permit issuance conditioned on number of rooms. (a) Except as provided in this division, no permits shall be issued by the city for construction of hotels or motels in the downtown development district if the issuance of permits would result in the addition of new hotel or motel rooms within the downtown development district in excess of the number of rooms allowed in the table below: Time Period | New Hotel or Motel Rooms Allowed in Downtown Development District Oct. 31, 1987—May 31, 1988 | 750 June 1, 1988—May 31, 1989 | 750 June 1, 1989—May 31, 1990 | 800 (b) Should the number of permits issued for any time period specified above be less than the number allowed for that time period, the difference shall be carried over to the subsequent time period and that number added to the number of new hotel or motel rooms allowed for the subsequent time period. (Code 1956, § 11-46(b))

New Orleans City Code § 26-578 Exceptions.

Sec. 26-578. - Exceptions. The provisions of this division shall become null and void if the occupancy rate of hotel and motel rooms in the downtown development district equals or exceeds 67½ percent each month for four consecutive months, as determined by monthly occupancy rates issued by a nationally recognized consulting firm for the hotel and motel industry, upon certification of the 67½ percent or greater occupancy rate each month for four consecutive months to the department of safety and permits and the clerk of council by the executive director of the city planning commission. (Code 1956, § 11-46(c))

New Orleans City Code § 26-579 Appeal.

Sec. 26-579. - Appeal. (a) Any party who is aggrieved by the provisions of this section may appeal to the city council at any regular meeting or special meeting of the council after 24 hours' written notice has been given to the council of the intention to appeal. The council shall request the advice of the city planning commission staff with respect to such an appeal and request that a report be submitted to the council within 60 days of the date that the appeal is first received. Upon receipt of the advice of the city planning commission staff or if a report is not submitted by the city planning commission staff within 60 days of the date of appeal to the council, the council may waive the provisions of this division with respect to the party making the appeal by enacting an ordinance following a public hearing. (b) In determining whether additional permits beyond the thresholds established above shall be issued, the city council shall consider the recommendations of the city planning commission staff as well as consideration given but not limited to the following criteria: (1) Economic hardship based on actual expenditures and secured financing relating specifically to hotel/motel room development by the applicant incurred prior to the effective date of this division. (2) The commitment to implement a public and/or public-private development project in which a hotel/motel is an integral part of the development. (Code 1956, § 11-46(d))

New Orleans City Code § 26-580 Procedure for application.

Sec. 26-580. - Procedure for application. (a) The department of safety and permits shall not issue a permit to an applicant and shall refer an applicant to the city council to request an appeal to this division. (b) The city planning commission staff shall obtain necessary information from the applicant to do an analysis based on the provisions of this division and collect the site plan review fee. (c) The city planning commission staff shall recommend an action to the city council within 60 days from the date of the application in correct form. (d) If the provisions of this division are waived, the applicant then applies to the department of safety and permits for a construction permit. (Code 1956, § 11-46(e))

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_ARTIXSTHOMO_DIV2DODEDIFetched: 10/28/2026