Zoning Enforcement

Zoning violations are grouped into three main categories:

• Illegal use: any use of a property not allowed in its zoning district, like operating a commercial business in a residential district or adding dwelling units to structure beyond what is allowed
• Parking/paving: Excessive paving of a property or storage of vehicles in areas not zoned for parking
• General zoning which includes everything else, like structures built too tall or too close to the property line

How do you report a violation?

Report a Zoning Violation by clicking here.

Why does the City enforce zoning? 

• creating safer, healthier neighborhoods
• improving quality of life for all residents
• protecting property values
• stimulating economic development

How does the City enforce Zoning? 

Through enforcement of the Zoning Ordinance, the City aims to:

• Prioritize violations that present the biggest public safety issues, like illegal dwelling units, illegal businesses, and unpermitted construction activities.
• Build public trust by quickly responding to zoning complaints.
• Take aggressive action and fine owners who refuse to bring a property into compliance.

What Properties are in the Zoning Enforcement pipeline and how long does the process take? 

View the Zoning Enforcement dashboard

What can residents do to help? 

There are a number of things residents can do to help with zoning enforcement:

• Find out what a particular property is zoned using the City’s Property Viewer.
• Make sure your property meets the requirements laid out in the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance.
• Apply for Determination of Non-Conforming Status if your property does not meet the requirements and you want to keep it that way
• Report a zoning violation by clicking here, or emailing zoningviolations@nola.gov