FENCE RULES – NEW ORLEANS (CITY), LOUISIANA
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within City of New Orleans, subject to local regulations.
The principal residential fence standards for the City of New Orleans appear in the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, chiefly Article 21, Section 21.6.N Fences and Walls, with related fence definitions in Article 26. Building permit thresholds and exemptions appear in the City’s published building permit materials and adopted building code provisions, and historic-district approvals appear in the City’s historic review materials.
This page focuses on typical single-family residential fencing. If the jurisdiction’s adopted materials do not state a specific limit or requirement, this page notes that the code does not specify one.
Additional review applies in historic districts. The zoning ordinance states that fences in historic districts are subject to historic district regulations, and the City’s historic review materials establish separate review by the Historic District Landmarks Commission and the Vieux Carré Commission where their jurisdiction applies.
Compiled From the City of New Orleans Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, the New Orleans Code of Ordinances, the Department of Safety & Permits building code and guide to building permits pages, the City Planning Commission home page and FAQ guide, the Historic District Landmarks Commission materials, and the Vieux Carré Commission materials as of March 2026.
GOVERNANCE
Residential fence administration in the City of New Orleans is divided among the Department of Safety & Permits, the City Planning Commission, the Historic District Landmarks Commission, and the Vieux Carré Commission where historic review applies.
The City of New Orleans does not publish a single consolidated fence code. Standard residential fence rules appear primarily in the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, especially Article 21, Section 21.6.N Fences and Walls, with related definitions in Article 26. Building permit exemptions appear in the adopted building code materials published by the Department of Safety & Permits.
The City Planning Commission administers the City’s land use framework and the Board of Zoning Adjustments hears variances from the requirements of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and appeals of decisions by the Director of Safety and Permits. Historic-district approvals are handled separately by the Historic District Landmarks Commission and the Vieux Carré Commission, depending on location.
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
• Building Permit Exemption: A Building Permit is not required for standard residential fences 7 feet in height or lower, as stated in the sources compiled for this page.
• Building Permit Trigger: Under Section 21.6.N.1, a building permit is required for fences and walls exceeding 8 feet in height. Within national historic districts, a building permit is required for fences and walls exceeding 7 feet in height.
• Zoning Compliance: Building permit requirements are separate from zoning, setback, or plat requirements. Confirm any applicable zoning conditions, setbacks, and plat requirements with City Planning Commission before construction.
• Historic District Review: Section 21.6.N.3 states that fences in historic districts are subject to historic district regulations. For exterior work in local historic districts, including fencing, the Historic District Landmarks Commission requires a Certificate of Appropriateness. For exterior work in the Vieux Carré, including fencing, the Vieux Carré Commission requires a permit.
FENCE PLACEMENT RULES
• Yard Location: Unless otherwise permitted or restricted elsewhere in the ordinance, a fence or wall may be located in any yard.
• Property Lines: The ordinance does not state a setback requirement for standard residential fences from property lines; however, fences must be located entirely on the owner’s property and must not encroach into rights-of-way or easements or servitudes.
• Additional Published Placement Rules: The municipal code and related published guidance do not specify a separate standard residential fence rule for gate swing, corner-lot sight triangles, or drainage.
• Utility Safety: Louisiana’s Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law requires the person responsible for excavation or demolition to provide notice to the regional notification center (Louisiana 811) before digging. Notice must be provided at least two (2) full business days before the proposed commencement date of the excavation or demolition. Markings are considered valid up to 20 calendar days from the “mark-by” time, as long as the marks remain visible.
FENCE HEIGHT AND VISIBILITY RULES
• General Height Limit: Unless otherwise permitted or restricted elsewhere in the ordinance, a fence or wall may not exceed 8 feet in height.
• National Historic District Height Limit: Within national historic districts, a fence or wall may not exceed 7 feet in height.
• Front Yard Visibility Standard: Fences in front yards must be open fences. The zoning ordinance defines an open fence as one that is at least 50 percent open.
• Industrial District Boundary: A fence or wall along a boundary between a residential, commercial, or mixed use district and an industrial district may be erected to a height not exceeding 10 feet.
• Grade Differential Rule: Along common property lines in required side or rear yards, fence or wall height is measured from grade. Where grade differs between abutting properties, height is measured from the highest grade at the property line on either side. In no case may the total fence height exceed 10 feet.
• Lake Vista Area, S-LRS2 and S-LRD1 Districts: In the Lake Vista area, the maximum fence or wall height is 1.5 feet in the front yard, 1.5 feet in the side yard from the front building line to the front property line, 5 feet in the side yard from the front building line to the rear property line, and 5 feet in the rear yard.
• Lake Terrace Area, S-RS Suburban Single-Family District: In the Lake Terrace area bounded by Lake Pontchartrain, the London Avenue Outfall Canal, Robert E. Lee Boulevard, and Bayou St. John, the maximum fence or wall height is 1.5 feet in the front yard, 1.5 feet in the side yard from the front building line to the front property line, 5 feet in the side yard from the front building line to the rear property line, and 5 feet in the rear yard.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
• Citywide Materials: The municipal code does not specify a citywide list of permitted or prohibited fence materials for standard single-family residential lots.
• Lake Vista Area Materials: In the Lake Vista area of the S-LRS2 and S-LRD1 Districts, fences and walls must be constructed of iron, wood, wire, brick, stone, or any combination of those materials.
• Solid Fence Definition: A solid fence is made entirely of opaque material. Chain-link fence with slats is not considered a solid fence. Shadowbox fences are considered solid fences.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
Private covenants, deed restrictions, homeowners association rules, and similar private agreements operate independently of City rules and may be more restrictive than the municipal standards summarized here.
REVIEW AND ENFORCEMENT CONTEXT
Fence issues are typically reviewed during permit or approval review when required, and through complaint-based code enforcement. Examples include:
• Permit Review: Fences and walls exceeding 8 feet in height require building permit review, except within national historic districts, where the trigger is exceeding 7 feet.
• Historic Review: Exterior fencing in local historic districts is reviewed through the Historic District Landmarks Commission, and exterior fencing in the Vieux Carré is reviewed through the Vieux Carré Commission.
• Zoning Compliance Review: Front-yard fences must satisfy the open fence requirement, and properties in the Lake Vista and Lake Terrace areas are subject to the lower yard-based height limits stated above.
• Measurement Review: Where a fence or wall runs along a common property line in a required side or rear yard and grade differs between properties, height is measured from the highest grade at the property line on either side.
• Maintenance Review: The zoning ordinance states that fences and similar landscape elements must be maintained in good repair.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within City of New Orleans, based on publicly available materials reviewed as of March 2026.
In addition to local fence rules, certain Louisiana laws apply statewide. See Statewide fence laws in Louisiana.
It is not legal advice and does not replace official ordinances, permits, surveys, or professional guidance. Rules and interpretations may change, and application may vary based on zoning district, site conditions, easements, rights-of-way, and private restrictions such as HOA covenants. Before purchasing materials or beginning construction, confirm current requirements and any site-specific limitations with Department of Safety & Permits and the City Planning Commission and any applicable private agreements. If this page conflicts with official ordinances, published guidance, or direction from City of New Orleans staff, the official sources control. For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.