New Orleans Building Permits for Home Projects
Rules for the most common home projects in New Orleans, Louisiana, checked against the New Orleans Department of Safety and Permits's own pages, with live permit counts from the city's open data.
Do You Need a Permit? Project by Project
New Orleans Roofing Permits
Yes (50%+)1,553 in 12 mo
For one- and two-family homes, Ordinance 30,235 MCS requires a separate residential re-roofing permit when 50% or more of the roof is replaced.
New Orleans HVAC Permits
Yes2,778 in 12 mo
New Orleans requires a mechanical permit to install, repair, replace or alter air conditioning, electric or gas furnaces and heaters, or gas lines.
New Orleans Solar Panel Permits
Yes244 in 12 mo
Rooftop solar in New Orleans is permitted as an electrical permit, which only a contractor with a Class A City of New Orleans electrical license can obtain.
New Orleans Fence Permits
Often no46 in 12 mo
Fences up to 7 feet high that comply with the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance don't need a building permit in New Orleans; masonry walls used as fences are exempt only up to 3 feet.
New Orleans Deck Permits
Usually yes92 in 12 mo
Only small freestanding decks are exempt in New Orleans: uncovered residential decks no larger than 200 sq ft, no higher than 30 inches above grade, not attached to the house and not serving an exit door.
Permit Activity in New Orleans
Projects We Have Not Verified Yet
Every project type we track in New Orleans has a verified rule.
Monthly Permit Totals in New Orleans
Tracked home project permits issued each month, from NOLA Permits (refreshed October 30, 2026). The busiest month is a useful guide to when contractors are most booked.
| Month | Roofing | HVAC | Solar | Fence | Deck | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-11 | 115 | 176 | 32 | 1 | 8 | 332 |
| 2025-12 | 77 | 184 | 50 | 3 | 5 | 319 |
| 2026-01 | 137 | 210 | 28 | 3 | 9 | 387 |
| 2026-02 | 103 | 199 | 11 | 2 | 8 | 323 |
| 2026-03 | 125 | 261 | 41 | 1 | 9 | 437 |
| 2026-04 | 160 | 256 | 20 | 6 | 9 | 451 |
| 2026-05 | 172 | 352 | 20 | 0 | 7 | 551 |
| 2026-06 | 114 | 284 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 424 |
| 2026-07 | 143 | 253 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 411 |
| 2026-08 | 127 | 200 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 339 |
| 2026-09 | 159 | 248 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 431 |
| 2026-10 | 110 | 143 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 276 |
Before You Apply in New Orleans
Residential permits here are issued by the New Orleans Department of Safety and Permits. Check the project page for your job first: it lists the exemptions the city publishes, any official fees and the source to confirm them. In the city's data, the median time from application to issue was 11 days for roofing, 5 days for HVAC, 25 days for solar, 52 days for fence, 39 days for deck. Most permits are pulled by the licensed contractor doing the work, so ask who will apply and get it in your contract. Keep the permit and the final inspection result with your house records; buyers and insurers can look them up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues building permits in New Orleans?
The New Orleans Department of Safety and Permits.
Which home projects need a permit in New Orleans?
Roofing: yes (50%+); HVAC: yes; Solar: yes; Fence: often no; Deck: usually yes. Each project page explains the exact rule and links the official source.
How many home improvement permits does New Orleans issue?
Across the 5 project types we track, New Orleans issued about 4,713 permits in the last 12 months. HVAC was the most common, with 2,778.
Sources
Official sources checked on . Rules change; confirm with the department before you start work.
- City of New Orleans: Re-Roofing Permit (nola.gov)
- New Orleans: Work Exempt from Permit (Section 105.2) (nola.gov)
- City of New Orleans: Mechanical Permit (nola.gov)
- City of New Orleans: Solar Permitting (nola.gov)
Permit data: NOLA Permits, refreshed October 30, 2026.