Do You Need a Fence Permit in New Orleans?
Often no
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. Properties in historic districts may still need HDLC or VCC approval.
Source: New Orleans: Work Exempt from Permit (Section 105.2)
New Orleans Fence Permits at a Glance
- Permits, last 12 months
- 46
- Issued, last 30 days
- 8
- Median application to issue
- 52 days
- Median declared job value
- $19,200
- Issuing office
- New Orleans Department of Safety and Permits
- Rule last checked
- October 30, 2026
Permits Issued per Month
Counts are approximate: we match permit types and descriptions to fence work. Data from NOLA Permits, refreshed October 30, 2026.
What New Orleans's Rules Say
- Exempt: fences up to 7 ft that comply with zoning.
- Exempt: masonry fence walls up to 3 ft.
- HDLC or VCC review may still apply in historic districts.
New Orleans Fence Permit Fees
We have not verified New Orleans's fee for this work from an official fee schedule yet, so we don't quote one. The New Orleans Department of Safety and Permits sets the fee when you apply. For context, the median fee actually paid on these permits in the city's records was $243.
Busiest Areas for Fence Permits
| Neighborhood | Permits (12 mo) |
|---|---|
| Audubon | 5 |
| Bywater | 4 |
| Lower Garden District | 3 |
| Lower Ninth Ward | 3 |
| Bayou St John | 2 |
| Central City | 2 |
How to Get a Fence Permit in New Orleans
- Confirm the rule for your exact job on the official page cited above. Size, height, structure and location (historic district, floodplain) can change the answer.
- Choose who applies. Many permits here must be pulled by a licensed contractor; ask any contractor to name the license they will use.
- Apply with the New Orleans Department of Safety and Permits through the official department website.
- Schedule inspections as the permit requires, and keep the final approval with your house records.
Recent New Orleans Fence Permits
| Issued | Address | Work |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-28 | 1618 Prytania St | Let me know if you want me to remove the cast iron fence section and the mini split section since they have been removed |
| 2026-10-26 | 2501 Flood St | I purchased a lot via NORA's nondevelopment auction , and they are requiring me to get this change of use permit, so I c |
| 2026-10-23 | 3609 Royal St | Interior renovation of existing bathroom in existing single-family residence. Convert existing tub alcove to walk-in sho |
| 2026-10-22 | 2632 Gordon St | The permit will be used for urban gardening. The property will be fenced in with raised beds. *storage structure to be 3 |
| 2026-10-22 | 2634 Gordon St | The permit will be for urban gardening. The space will be entirely fenced with raised beds. **FOR CHANGE OF USE ONLY, NO |
| 2026-10-19 | 2318 Chippewa St | Request permission to demolish an existing six (6) unit apartment building. This building is not structurally sound and |
| 2026-10-15 | 3324 Esplanade Ave | New swimming pool. New pool cabana under seperate application. Fence will be placed on separate accs. permit. |
| 2026-10-02 | 1421 Thalia St | Installation of fence at left hand side of building |
| 2026-09-29 | 1315 Jackson Ave | The outdoor playground will expand into the the adjacent existing parking lot. This will require moving an existing fenc |
| 2026-09-22 | 16 Neron Pl | Background and Code Basis: The existing electrical meter is located in the rear yard of the property, behind a closed fe |
Addresses and work descriptions as published by the city. Owner names and phone numbers are removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a fence permit in New Orleans?
Often no. 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. Properties in historic districts may still need HDLC or VCC approval.
How many fence permits does New Orleans issue?
New Orleans issued 46 permits matching fence work between October 30, 2025 and October 30, 2026, about 4 a month. The busiest month was Sep 2026 with 8.
How much does a fence permit cost in New Orleans?
We have not yet verified New Orleans's fee for this work from an official fee schedule, so we do not quote one. The fee is set by the New Orleans Department of Safety and Permits when you apply. In the city's own records, the median fee paid on these permits over the last 12 months was $243.
How long does it take to get a fence permit in New Orleans?
Based on the city's records, the median time from application to issue for these permits was 52 days over the last 12 months.
Who issues fence permits in New Orleans?
The New Orleans Department of Safety and Permits.
Related Permit Guides
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- New Orleans Solar Panel Permits
- Austin Fence Permits
- Nashville Fence Permits
- Fence Permits by City
- Fence Permit Height Limits Compared Across 11 Cities
Sources
Official sources checked on . Rules change; confirm with the department before you start work.
- New Orleans: Work Exempt from Permit (Section 105.2) (linked above) (nola.gov)