Overview
The VCC helps preserve the “quaint and distinctive” character of the Vieux Carré by regulating changes to their significant features. The VCC does not prevent owners from making changes, but rather works with them to ensure that planned changes are appropriate to the character and style of their buildings.
All work proposed for the exterior of any building - old or new - in the Vieux Carré, whether it is visible from the street or not, requires a permit from the Commission. The exterior of a building includes all elements exposed to the weather, including front, side and back walls, patios, courtyards, galleries, balconies, paving, fences, signs, exterior stairs, passageways, carriageways, and sidewalks on private property.
VCC permits are required for the following exterior work:
- Any restoration, alteration, reconstruction, demolition, or new construction that affects the property or exterior of a building, if the project requires a permit from the Department of Safety & Permits.
- Any project that affects the exterior, even if a permit is not required from the Department of Safety & Permits. This includes any exterior painting (including to match existing), courtyard paving, fencing, weatherboard replacement, roofing, etc.
VCC permits are required for the following interior work:
- Projects that affect the structural design and integrity of a building within the Vieux Carré.
- Projects that affect the exterior of a building.
To avoid unnecessary expenses the VCC highly recommends not purchasing building materials, millwork, lighting, security cameras, signage, etc. until the applicant is physically in possession of a signed VCC permit.
How to apply for a permit
- LOCATE the property on the Vieux Carré Ratings map to determine the architectural and historical significance rating.
- REVIEW the VCC Guidelines for work to the exterior of a property located in the Vieux Carré and what level of review(s) will be required for the rating of the specific building in question.
- APPLY online using the One Stop App. Note that permits specifically for VCC Paint and Security Cameras can be applied for directly through the One Stop App. Other work will likely require a permit from other Departments. In those instances use the One Stop App to apply for the Building Permit; the VCC permit will be created internally. For more information on the documents necessary for review, please refer to Submission Requirements below. For a list of work exempt from permitting by Safety & Permits, please refer to the document here.
*AS OF SEPTEMBER 2014, THE VCC STAFF WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT EMAILED, FAXED, OR HAND DELIVERED APPLICATIONS. PLEASE SUBMIT ONLINE USING THE ONE STOP APP.
Once the VCC permit has been issued it will be emailed to the address on file along with a stamped copy of approved plans. However, work also requiring a building permit should not commence until that permit has been obtained.
VCC permits must be displayed where visible from the public right-of-way for the duration of any work.
For more information, and to search all permits issued by the City of New Orleans, please visit the One Stop App.
Review Process
Initiating the Application
Before any exterior work can be undertaken on any property located within the Vieux Carré Historic District, the property owner, owner’s representative, lessee, architect or contractor must first make application to the Vieux Carré Commission (VCC), specifying the anticipated work, the current and proposed use and/or treatment of the property.
Applications can be found at OneStop.
Processing by Staff
Upon submission of the application, the Commission’s staff will review the work proposed. If the staff determines that the application is for ordinary maintenance and repair or for work which conforms with adopted Commission policies for which the staff has the authority to approve, the staff issues a permit, usually within two to seven (2-7) working days, depending on the scope of the proposed work. Please refer to the VCC Design Guidelines for details regarding the work staff is authorized to approve, or review the chart below for quick reference.
If the staff determines proposed work does not conform to design guidelines or is of a nature for which the staff lacks approval authority, the application goes to the Architectural Committee (AC) for review at its next bi-monthly meeting, provided that the application is received no later than two weeks prior to that meeting. (This time is required for the preparation of staff reports.)
Architectural Committee Review
At the Architectural Committee Meeting, members either approve applications, formulate a recommendation to the full Commission on those proposals which require Commission review and approval, or defer the matter back to the applicant for requisite modifications to the proposal. Please refer to the VCC Administrative Procedures for details regarding the work the Committee is authorized to approve.
All submittals for any proposal to be reviewed by either the AC of the VCC MUST be submitted digitally, preferably in PDF form.
Proposals submitted without digitized drawings in either jpeg or pdf format will NOT be placed on the agenda. VCC staff will NOT scan documents for any proposal or applicant. NO EXCEPTIONS. The scanned materials will be required in order to process an application. Without them, the application will be returned to the applicant until all required materials are submitted as well.
Any action of the Committee may be appealed by the applicant to the Commission within thirty (30) days of the date that the VCC notifies the applicant, in writing, of its actions. The matter would then be heard before the full Commission at its next monthly Commission hearing .
Full Commission Assessment
When an application goes to a full Commission hearing, after a staff presentation and public comment, the Commission discusses and votes in public to either approve, deny or defer action on the application. Please refer to the VCC Administrative Procedures for details regarding the work the Commission is authorized to approve.
Any action of the Commission may be appealed by the applicant to the New Orleans City Council within thirty (30) days of the date that the Commission notifies the applicant, in writing, of its actions. When a proposed demolition is involved, the Commission usually requires that said proposal lay over for one month before taking final action.
Copies of respective agendas are available during the week prior to the meeting online. All Architectural Committee and Commission meetings are open to the public. Public comment is welcome at the hearing.
Refer to the "Meetings" page on this site for a complete list of dates and times for all public hearings.
Submission Requirements
Based upon the nature of most work applications, it is expected that support materials will be needed to fully explain whatever work is proposed. Support materials explain through a series of illustrations, drawings, photographs, plans and other documents the scope and purpose of the proposed project.
The submittal should clarify all aspects of the project in detail, not only to the VCC or its Architectural Committee (AC), but also to members of the public at large who frequently have interest and attend the Commission’s meetings.
Submittals need to address the extent to which the project will affect, or in any way transform, the visual and/or physical character of the subject property. Also, a submittal should include any aspects or concerns of health, safety, and public welfare. After accepting a submittal, the staff will review the documents and may conduct interviews or site visits with the applicant so as to become educated and familiar with the goals of the project.
Projects that entail substantial work may require architectural drawings, and the following should be submitted:
- Documents prepared in an architectural style of presentation, and must be submitted electronically.
- Application/drawings/documents clearly indicating owner of property, beneficial applicant, and the applicant if different from the owner and beneficial applicant.
- Dimensioned site plan, survey or block plats to accurately indicate property size.
- Cause for application especially if related to deficiencies or variances required (i.e. building code, ADA, NFPA regulations, etc.).
Drawings shall indicate existing conditions and proposed changes in separate drawings and be drawn to scale.
The following is a list of REQUIRED DRAWINGS:
- Site & roof plan showing vents, skylights, mechanical equipment, etc. (if applicable)
- Floor plans of sufficient detail
- Elevation(s) wherever any change is proposed along with adjacent structures to each side
- Thru-building sections to interpret design intent (if applicable)
- Requisite details
- Signage (if applicable)
- All structural drawings shall be stamped by an engineer licensed in the State of Louisiana.
Additional support materials should include further documents to augment that required above, such as photographs, catalogue cut-sheets, or material samples.
All aspects of work indicating any electrical or mechanical changes should be noted, including but not limited to internal venting and exhaust systems. Furthermore, all exterior lighting details, signage specifications, hardware, and/or security provisions, such as cameras, should be delineated.
Structural drawings shall indicate all aspects of foundation work including, but not limited to, any removal of existing foundations and installation of new piers, piles, footings, grade beams and slabs. Any disturbance of subsoil conditions for the above installations or removals should be shown on the structural drawings. Structural drawings shall also indicate any necessary mitigation techniques to insure structural and aesthetic integrity of any adjacent properties. Furthermore, any interior structural modifications to any building should be submitted for review, in an effort to mitigate damage to surrounding properties. Furthermore, to ensure the safety of the general public, final structural designs must be sealed by the appropriate agent, confirming that the proposed methods have been reviewed by a registered professional.
Submissions for Change of Use Hearings
Although VCC does not have jurisdiction over the use of a building or site, regarding applications that relate to proposed changes of use, in accordance with the 2015 Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance for the City of New Orleans, the VCC requires that all alterations to existing buildings related to the use change be documented with such a request, i.e. all exterior changes (as noted above) plus any interior changes such as floor plans, room arrangements, kitchen layout, handicapped restrooms, venting/exhaust systems, table arrangements, menus, descriptions of operations (hours, etc.) and so forth.
As stated in Article 2.10 :
"[T]he Vieux Carré Commission shall have no jurisdiction over use, except as provided in the paragraph below.
Within the Vieux Carré Historic District, no occupancy permit shall be issued by the Director of Safety and Permits, for any change in the use of any existing building until and unless a special permit shall have been issued by the Vieux Carré Commission, except that where no change of exterior appearance is contemplated such permit by the Vieux Carré Commission shall not be required. Where any change in exterior appearance is contemplated, the Vieux Carré Commission shall hold a public hearing, and if it approves such change, it shall issue a special permit to continue the same use, or for any other use not otherwise prohibited in the district, subject to the following conditions and safeguards:
1. The historic character of the Vieux Carré shall not be injuriously affected.
2. Signs which are garish or otherwise out of keeping with the character of the Vieux Carré shall not be permitted.
3. Building designs shall be in harmony with the traditional architectural character of the Vieux Carré.
4. The value of the Vieux Carré as a place of unique interest and character shall not be impaired.
For a checklist of requirements please see the Submittal Requirements.
All proposed use changes must comply with the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO); refer to the Vieux Carré zoning map and CZO to determine the approved uses for each structure.
*Please note that due to the public review process and in order to provide the Commission with complete materials for a thorough understanding of any proposal, the staff will schedule the subject property application for a hearing only after all the necessary materials have been provided.
Permit Fees
The VCC permit fees are incorporated into fees charged by the Department of Safety & Permits. The fees apply as follows:
- Permit Fee: $60 + ($5 per $1000 of work to be performed)
- Plan Review Fee: $1 per $1000 of work to be performed
- VCC Surcharge: 50% of permit fee, calculated from above items
If the proposed project does not also require a permit from the Department of Safety & Permits, it will most likely not have a VCC fee. Common work that does not charge a fee includes painting, roofing work, and minor repairs (unless a permit is necessary by Department of Public Works to close the public right of way). Fees will be charged for work started without a proper VCC permit.