New Orleans Zoning Decisions: October 2026

In October 2026, New Orleans held 4 public meetings covering zoning matters. 36 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 26 approved (90% approval rate), 3 denied, 7 deferred. Activity was down 41% compared to September (793 activity items across 4 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

Commercial STR denied at 901-909 Julia Street (Moto Julia)

Denied.

ZD 8526, Moto Julia LLC requested conditional use for commercial STR in second floor of motorcycle dealership in CBD-5. Denied via motion M26444 by Harris, seconded by Green; co-owner John Franco spoke in favor. Seven yes.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Data center text amendment (ZD 3626) - recommended denial with IZD extension

Denied.

Council-motion text amendment to CZO defining accessory, small (≤20,000 sf/5 MW), medium (≤100,000 sf/20 MW), and large/hyperscale data centers (prohibited citywide), with conditional use in MU/CBD/industrial districts, 500-ft residential buffer, utility pre-review by CURO/Entergy/SWBNO, annual compliance reporting. A motion for modified approval (1,000-ft buffer; small 10,000 sf/3 MW; medium 50,000 sf/15 MW; noise abatement plan; energy efficiency 5-10% above code; review procedures developed by CPC and Council; no undisclosed data to other agencies) failed (Jackson, Hebert, Jordan no). Commission then voted (Stieg and Flick no) for denial with recommendation to extend the IZD (in effect to Jan 27, 2027), attach the modifications, hold two in-person community meetings, and accept written comments up to meeting time. Council deadline October 23.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Principal bed and breakfast at 2503 St. Charles Avenue (ZD 103-26)

Approved.

Conversion of historic double back to single for up to nine-bedroom principal B&B at St. Charles Ave and 2nd St; applicants John and Candy Mers. Opposed by Garden District Association and Gallery Condo Association. Approved with parking waiver and three provisos; chair voted no; Stieg recused.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Alcohol sales at gas station/IDL grocery on S Norman C. Francis Pkwy

Denied.

Conditional use for packaged alcohol at renovated nonconforming gas station near MLK with IDL grocery tenant; owner Kenneth Ratif, rep Nicole Weber; proposed provisos on hours, no singles, fresh food. Motion for denial got 4-3, insufficient to carry; resulted in effective denial sent to Council.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Demolition at 2606-2608 First Street

Approved.

Safety and permits demolition application of Jesse Lee Hill / Expo Forfeited Homes LLC for a residential building at 2606 through 2608 First Street, District B. HDLC review not required. Applicant requests to demolish existing building to rebuild residence; previously approved last year but contractor changed. Approved 6 yays.

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Conditional use short-term rental at 1622 Toledano Street

Approved.

Kristina Tate requested a conditional use to permit a commercial short-term rental in an HUMU zoning district on square 425, lots 15 and 16, at 1622 Toledano. The building is a recently constructed triplex with three units of five bedrooms each. Council modified approval to permit only one unit as a CSTR and require the other two be residential dwellings. Vote with JP (Hughes) dissenting.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Planned development adaptive reuse of St. Clare Monastery at 720 Henry Clay Avenue

Approved.

Francine Port Clair requested a planned development to permit adaptive reuse of monastery into multifamily dwellings in an HURD2 district on square 27, line 1, at 720 Henry Clay Avenue. Allows two new residential buildings and demolition of non-historic accessory structures, converting former St. Clare Monastery to high-end condos. Substitute motion M-26-366 approved subject to CPC conditions plus an additional waiver. Vote.

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Rezoning HUB1A to HURD2 at 5433 Laurel Street (Cafe Malou)

Approved.

ZD 8126 reverts Square 187 Lots 1-3 (Cafe Malou / Octavia Books) from HUB1A to HURD2; prior conditional use for alcohol sales remains. Motion M26439 by McCarran, seconded by Harris. 6-0.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Showing the 8 most significant of 36 recorded zoning decisions. See all New Orleans meetings →

Zoning Changes

• HU-B1A → HU-RD2 at 5433 Laurel Street and 509-515 Octavia Street
• HU-RM1 → HU-MU at 1900 Carondelet Street, New Orleans
• NA → MMU at West Rigolets Lighthouse site, New Orleans East (West Rigolets Lighthouse LLC)
• HURD-2 → HU-MU at NW corner of Britannia Street and Milan Street

Top Keywords This Month

• zoning: 147 instances
• commercial: 64 instances
• conditional use: 63 instances
• residential: 38 instances
• short term rental: 37 instances

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