Application required for demolition.
New Orleans City Code § 26-4
in effectSec. 26-4. - Application required for demolition.
(a) Any demolition of a structure within National Register Historic Districts, not expressly exempt by section 26-6(f), shall be reviewed and approved by the New Orleans City Council at a public hearing.
(b) Applications may only be filed by the owner of the subject property, an authorized agent of such owner, or a governmental agency. All applications subject to review, excluding applications that are initiated by a government agency, shall be accompanied by an additional application review fee of $250.00 per residential property and $500.00 per commercial property. This fee shall be in addition to any fees and applications required by the department of safety and permits for a standard demolition permit. For city initiated demolitions, all application submittals are required.
(c) To initiate review, the applicant shall submit to the department of safety and permits a completed application on forms created by the department for this purpose, which shall require at a minimum:
(1) The name of the owner(s);
(2) The name of the applicant(s), if different than the owner;
(3) Signature of the owner(s), or proof that the agent filing on behalf of an owner is authorized to do so;
(4) If the applicant is not the owner, the relationship to the owner (lessee, contractor, architect, etc.);
(5) The contact information for the applicant (phone number, address, email, etc.);
(6) The municipal address of the property;
(7) The following information regarding the property:
i. The Council district where the property is located;
ii. If the property is located in a National Register Historic District;
iii. If the property is in a Historic District Landmarks Commission District; and
iv. If the property is in the Vieux Carré (French Quarter).
(8) The approximate length of time the owner(s) owned the property;
(9) A written statement regarding why demolition is being sought;
(10) The cost of the demolition;
(11) A written statement regarding the future development plans for the property, specifically including:
i. The proposed plan for maintaining the lot between demolition and redevelopment, including any lot/weed maintenance and trash/debris removal plans;
ii. If fencing is proposed on the perimeter of the lot after demolition, the kind of fencing proposed;
iii. If redevelopment is planned, the timing expectations for completing the development along with the proposed use and if the redevelopment meets zoning requirements (if known); and
iv. If no immediate redevelopment is planned, the length of time the lot is anticipated to remain vacant.
(12) The number of residential units to be demolished, if applicable.
(d) In addition to the completed application form, the following additional documentation shall be affixed and incorporated into the application:
(1) Four color photographs of the structure to be demolished (full views of the front, rear, left, and right sides) labeled with the municipal address of the property and the view shown;
(2) A printed copy of the assessor's aerial map, with the subject property indicated;
(3) Recorded act of sale (if the property has recently changed ownership), or proof of ownership by the owner listed on the application;
(4) If re-development is planned, a copy of proposed site plans and exterior elevation plans (can be hand drawn);
(5) Estimated cost of the demolition from a licensed contractor; and
(6) A photograph indicating the posting of signage, no smaller than a standard-sized paper (eight and one-half by 11 inches) with a font large enough to be visible from the right-of-way, providing public notice that a demolition is being requested for the location, with the municipal address being visible, along with contact information for the district city council office, as provided by the department of safety and permits.
i. Once the owner receives notice from the clerk of council as to the date, time, and location of their demolition hearing, the posting shall be updated to include this information. Photographic proof of this revised posting shall be submitted to the clerk of council at least five days in advance of the scheduled hearing date.
ii. The postings shall be in a prominent location on the structure. If safe access to the structure is not reasonably practicable, the applicant shall place the sign on some prominent fixture on the adjacent public right-of-way as near as possible to the structure.
(7) If the city initiated demolition, written proof also shall be furnished providing mailed notice to the owner of record that the city is planning on initiating demolition of the structure.
(Ord. No. 19,791, § 1, 8-3-00; M.C.S., Ord. No. 23005, § 1, 2-21-08; M.C.S., Ord. No. 26037, § 1, 9-18-14; M.C.S., Ord. No. 28464, § 1, 8-20-20; M.C.S., Ord. No. 28520, § 1, 10-15-20)
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_ARTIINGE_S26-4APREDEFetched: 10/28/2026