NEW ORLEANS - During today's regularly scheduled meeting, the City Council passed Ordinance No. 32,693, updating the City's existing Alcoholic Beverage Outlets (ABOs) permitting and enforcement laws. The revisions represent months of hard work and collaboration amongst the Council, local businesses, bars and members of the community. The approved ordinance amends the ABO laws to ensure they align with existing state laws for legal operation. 

NEW ORLEANS - The Council is expected to vote on Ordinance No. 32,693 at its regular meeting on Thursday, October 3 at approximately 12:30 p.m. The ordinance proposes a number of updates to the City's existing Alcoholic Beverage Outlets (ABOs) laws. Council staff along with businesses, bars and residents have worked collectively on the revisions since November 2018.

Holds Off on Any Changes to Outdoor Entertainment

NEW ORLEANS - Councilmember Palmer is considering adopting the City Planning Commission's (CPC's) recommendations on outdoor dining (Zoning Docket 80/19) to include a buffer area - 15 feet and 3 feet - for commercial properties abutting a residential zoning district. With these updates, the City's Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO) would continue to allow outdoor dining in HMC-1, HMC-2, and HM-MU zoning districts, except for within a moderate "buffer area" between dining and adjacent residential properties. The Zoning Docket, which brings the Marigny and Bywater in line with other neighborhoods, received substantial praise at the CPC's meeting several weeks ago.  Councilmember Palmer supports the buffer area policy and intends to move for its passage at the October 3rd Council meeting.

NEW ORLEANS - Today, the Council approved two ordinances authorizing amendments to the City's Short Term Rental (STR) program. 

Ordinance No. 32,685 modifies the City's Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO) to establish two classifications of STR permits, Residential and Commercial, along with zoning regulations for each. The most significant modification is a homestead exemption requirement for the residential permit, outlawing whole-home STR rentals in residential areas and ensuring that owners reside at the property full-time. The ordinance requires commercial STR applicants to provide a security, sanitation, and nuisance plan. Both residential and commercial STR permits must be renewed annually and are not transferrable. The ordinance also bans STRs in the French Quarter (except for Bourbon Street) and Garden District. 

NEW ORLEANS - At its regular meeting on Thursday, August 8, the Council will consider three ordinances that would amend the City's Short-Term Rental (STR) regulations, fines and fees. Ordinance No. 32,685 by District "C" Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer modifies the City's Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO) to establish two categories of STRs: Residential and Commercial.