Sign Regulations in New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana has specific sign regulations covering 6 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign (Single-Faced), Double-Faced Sign, Category Sign (Single-Faced Flat). Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 8, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for New Orleans, Louisiana
Sample Sign Requirements in New Orleans
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (Single-Faced) | — | 8 square feet | — |
| Double-Faced Sign | — | 16 square feet (sum of both faces) | — |
| Category Sign (Single-Faced Flat) | — | 25 square feet | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
6
- Wall Sign (Single-Faced)
- Double-Faced Sign
- Category Sign (Single-Faced Flat)
- Category Sign (Double-Faced)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
3
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for New Orleans
Other Cities in Louisiana
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in New Orleans vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in New Orleans, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In New Orleans, regulated sign types include Wall Sign (Single-Faced), Double-Faced Sign, Category Sign (Single-Faced Flat), Category Sign (Double-Faced), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in New Orleans vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in New Orleans are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. New Orleans has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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New Orleans, Louisiana Sign Rules at a Glance
New Orleans, Louisiana regulates 6 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Wall Sign (Single-Faced)s in the Vieux Carré zoning district are capped at 8 square feet (Sec. Sec. 166-77, Sec. 166-79, Sec. 166-80, Sec. 166-81, Sec. 166-83, Sec. 166-84, Sec. 166-85, Sec. 166-86(1,3,4,7), Sec. 166-87). Most commercial signs in New Orleans require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for New Orleans, Louisiana
Sign Rules by Zoning District in New Orleans (3 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vieux Carré | 2 | — | 16 square feet (sum of both faces) | — |
| Vieux Carré Entertainment District (Bourbon Street, Vieux Carré Entertainment District) | 3 | — | 50 square feet (sum of both faces) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in New Orleans
Vieux Carré
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (Single-Faced) | — | 8 square feet | — | — | 1 sign per street face per business | Attached flat against the wall of store, shop or bona fide business; not on balconies, fences, or open lots unless in proportion and does not exceed maximum | — | Unlock | Sec. 166-77, Sec. 166-79, Sec. 166-80, Sec. 166-81, Sec. 166-83, Sec. 166-84, Sec. 166-85, Sec. 166-86(1,3,4,7), Sec. 166-87 |
| Double-Faced Sign | — | 16 square feet (sum of both faces) | — | — | 1 sign per street face per business | Suspended by brackets or arms, perpendicularly from the wall of a building; not on balconies, fences, or open lots unless in proportion and does not exceed maximum | — | Unlock | Sec. 166-77, Sec. 166-79, Sec. 166-80, Sec. 166-81, Sec. 166-83, Sec. 166-84, Sec. 166-85, Sec. 166-86(2,5,6,7), Sec. 166-87 |
Vieux Carré Entertainment District (Bourbon Street, Vieux Carré Entertainment District)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category Sign (Single-Faced Flat) | — | 25 square feet | — | — | 1 per business | Attached parallel to or painted on the façade, not to cover any window, door or architectural detail. Only first floor façade for businesses operated on the first floor; upper floor businesses at ground floor access points. | — | Unlock | Sec. 166-92 (1, 2, 3, 5) |
| Category Sign (Double-Faced) | — | 50 square feet (sum of both faces) | — | — | 1 per business | Suspended by brackets or arms perpendicularly from the wall, or attached as approved, only at public/customer space of the Bourbon Street façade. | — | Unlock | Sec. 166-92 (1, 2, 3, 5) |
| Inventory Sign | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 per business | Single-faced flat sign advertising products/services/prices, at façade. | — | Unlock | Sec. 166-92(1)(c) |
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Signs (General Requirement) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | Sec. 166-88, Sec. 166-89, Sec. 166-90, Sec. 166-91, Sec. 166-93 |
Illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type in New Orleans are available with a free PermitPal account.
Start freeProhibited Signs in New Orleans
- The display of miscellaneous character signs visible from public streets, highways, and alleys within the Vieux Carré section is prohibited except as otherwise provided in this article (Sec. 166-77).
- No sign shall be displayed from the parapet or roofs of any buildings along Decatur Street or French Market Place (both sides) from Esplanade Avenue to Ursuline Street or facing Ursuline Street from Decatur Street to the Mississippi River (Sec. 166-78).
- No sign shall be placed upon a balcony, gallery, canopy, shed, roof, door or window, or in any manner that disfigures or conceals any architectural feature or detail of any building (Sec. 166-84).
- No sign shall be displayed from any fence, wall, or open lot unless it conforms in proportion to the allowable area and does not exceed the maximum (Sec. 166-84).
- No sign shall project more than 48 inches beyond the building line, except as noted for illumination hoods (Sec. 166-85).
- No sign of any character shall be displayed unless it advertises a bona fide business conducted on the premises; no more than 50 percent of sign area may advertise products or commodities actually sold on the premises (Sec. 166-81).
- Any sign that no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted on the premises must be removed within five days of notification (Sec. 166-82).
- Only one sign per street face is allowed for each store, shop, or bona fide place of business, regardless of front footage, and the sign shall not exceed the maximum size stipulated (Sec. 166-83).
- All signs are subject to limitations on maximum and minimum size depending on single-faced or double-faced signs, with specific area limits (Sec. 166-86).
- Illuminated signs may only use steady incandescent floodlights (maximum 75 watts), light sources must be concealed (Sec. 166-87).
- All signs must comply with applicable building codes not in conflict with this article (Sec. 166-88).
- Any sign or exterior illumination displayed contrary to the provisions of this article shall be removed (Sec. 166-91).
Exempt Signs in New Orleans
- No permit is required for a theatre or commercial establishment changing the bill of its acts and features or the nature of its commodities and wares and the prices thereof on established and approved frames, commonly known as 'menu boards' or 'menu boxes' (Sec. 166-80).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for New Orleans
- Approval of the display of a sign shall be granted only when the signs and the plans therefor conform to the character of the Vieux Carré or do not impair the value to the community of buildings of architectural or historical worth (Sec. 166-79).
- No sign shall be displayed in the Vieux Carré unless a permit has been applied for and issued in accordance with section 166-36 (Sec. 166-80).
- All applications for permits to display signs must be submitted to the Vieux Carré Commission for approval before a permit may be issued (Sec. 166-89).
- Application for a permit must include sketches and drawings showing construction and foundation details (when required), and delineate size, shape, design, coloring, lighting, and position relative to the building (Sec. 166-90).
Source: municode municipal code