Zoning Change

All land within the city is regulated by the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO). The CZO includes a text with sets of zoning districts and a map that assigns each property in the city to one of the districts. Each zoning district includes a set of permitted land uses and provides height, setback, and other standards governing the way in which buildings may be built on a lot within the district. Zoning map changes are often requested in order to allow for the establishment of a land use that is not permitted in the zoning district in which a property is located.

Requests for zoning map changes may be initiated by any property owner in the city or by the City Council. The City Planning Commission holds a public hearing on all map change requests and makes a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council then makes a final decision on each map change request, following a public hearing.

Land Use Request Application

Fees

  • Lots 0-4,999 square feet: $1,000.00 
  • Lots 5,000-24,999 square feet: $2,000.00 
  • Lots 25,000-74,999 square feet: $3,000.00 
  • Lots greater than or equal to 75,000: $4,000.00

Invoices are issued for only these amounts.  They are emailed from CPCinfo@nola.gov or from City Planning staff with an @nola.gov email address.  Please be aware of and disregard fradulent invoices sent from an email address that does not end in @nola.gov. 

Required documents/steps

  • File a completed application with the City Planning Commission (CPC)
  • After submission of a full and complete application that is accepted by the City Planning staff, the applicant will be given a zoning docket number
  • Notice of the request will be published in the journal of record and notices will be mailed to adjoining property owners
  • The case will be heard at the first available CPC public hearing after the receipt of a complete application. The public hearings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 1:30 p.m., in the City Council Chamber (unless otherwise posted).
  • During a public meeting, the Commission will either recommend approval, modified approval, or denial to a zoning request, or it may defer action to a later meeting.  The Commission must act within 60 days of its first public hearing. 
  • The Commission's action on a zoning request is a recommendation to the City Council.  It is not a final decision.  
  • After formally receiving the Commission's recommendation on a zoning request, the City Council has 60 days to act on the request by motion and an additional 90 days to act by Ordinance.  An ordinance is then considered by the Mayor.

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Service provided by

City Planning Commission

(504) 658-7033 CPCinfo@nola.gov
1300 Perdido Street 7th Floor New Orleans, LA 70112 View on map

9am—4pm
Monday—Friday

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