New Orleans Zoning Decisions: August 2026

In August 2026, New Orleans held 3 public meetings covering zoning matters. 25 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 20 approved (95% approval rate), 1 denied, 4 deferred. Activity was down 2% compared to July (306 activity items across 3 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Procedural deferral of BZA Docket 011-24 at 1100 Sears Street

Deferred.

75-unit multifamily development on 1.15-acre lot, remanded by Louisiana Fourth Circuit. Board voted to defer the item to later in the agenda to determine proper procedure. Applicant Zach Smith Consulting; owner sought variances for minimum lot area and off-street parking. Later determined improperly on agenda and effectively withdrawn; original Feb 19, 2024 denial disposition stands.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Rezoning and conditional use at 3319 North Galvez Street (GNC Meat Market)

Denied.

Request for a zoning change from HUB1 to HUMU district and conditional use to permit retail sale of packaged alcoholic beverages at GNC Meat Market, a 1,560-square-foot grocery store. Staff recommended denial finding it would be a spot zone. Motion to accept staff's denial recommendation received 4 yeses and 2 nays but failed to reach the required 5 votes, resulting in an effective denial. Nay voters were Commissioners Jordan and Whitry.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Variance approval at 1455 North Roman Street

Approved.

Variances from Article 11 minimum lot area and minimum lot width to permit creation of a lot with insufficient lot area and width, for a subdivision. Applicant Ezra Spiro Cohen. Approved granting waivers finding nine criteria met subject to one proviso.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Driveway width variance at 1631 Kildare Street

Approved.

Variance from Article 22 Section 22.11.A.1 to permit renovation of a driveway with excessive width in an SLRS-2 district. Staff recommended denial. Board approved a modified waiver reducing the driveway width to 18 feet 8 inches (a waiver of 6 feet 8 inches). Applicant represented by Ken Gowlin.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Rear yard setback variance at 2821 Monroe Street

Approved.

Variance from Article 11 rear yard setback to permit construction of a small multifamily affordable dwelling (two-family) with a 1.3-foot setback where 15 feet required. Reconstruction of a demolished historic rear structure. Staff recommended denial. Board approved accepting applicant's arguments, finding nine criteria met subject to one proviso. Developer New Orleans Restoration Properties, architect Roger Freebert of HCI Architecture, builder Landis Construction.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Pool and cabana variances at 3322 Esplanade Avenue

Approved.

Multiple variances to permit construction of a swimming pool, pool house cabana, and parking pad within a front yard area on a through-lot property with frontage on Esplanade Avenue and Ponce de Leon Street. Applicant architect Ross Carson. Staff recommended approval subject to provisos. Board approved finding nine criteria met subject to two provisos.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Generator variance at 439 Pine Street

Approved.

Variance from Article 21 Sections 21.6.T and 21.7 to permit installation of an emergency backup generator in the corner side yard of a corner lot in an HURS district. Staff recommended denial. Board approved finding nine criteria met subject to one proviso. Applicant Dr. Maryam Minham.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Porch setback variance at 3951 Annunciation Street

Approved.

Variances from Article 21 to permit an addition to a single-family dwelling with an uncovered porch six inches from the interior side lot line (waiver of one foot six inches) where two feet required. Staff recommended denial. Board approved finding nine criteria met subject to one proviso. Applicant/designer Joseph Lance.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Showing the 8 most significant of 25 recorded zoning decisions. See all New Orleans meetings →

Zoning Changes

• HUB-1 → HU-MU at 3319 North Galvez Street (Candice Williams)
• HURM-1 → HU-MU at 1900 Carondelet Street

Top Keywords This Month

• zoning: 96 instances
• variance: 38 instances
• conditional use: 26 instances
• residential: 22 instances
• commercial: 17 instances

What to Watch

• Variance mentions were up 90% from July.

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