Zoning
The Comprehensive Zoning Law of the City of New Orleans of 1995 divides the city into three single-family residential districts, four two-family residential districts, five multiple-family residential districts, three special commercial districts, seventeen business and commercial districts, four industrial districts, fourteen special historical districts, and six special districts.
The zoning laws stipulate that, from the time that these laws are established, every building “erected, reconstructed, converted, enlarged, moved, or structurally altered” must conform with the zoning laws. Older buildings are “grandfathered in” – that is, they do not have to immediately be changed, but if any of the above actions are taken on them, they must fit the new laws. Therefore, zoning laws have their greatest impact over an extended period of time, as old buildings are torn down and the new buildings that replace them conform to the new codes. In general, “uses not specifically listed are prohibited” (
"Comprehensive", 1)
1. Thus, changing a zoning law to delete the provision of a certain type of structure in a particular area carries the force of a law that specifically says that type of structure may not be built/rebuilt in that area in the future.
