Bus Guide 04-2015

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Click on the page numbers below to jump to a section
ZONING 101: page4
How zoning interacts with licensing, permitting and business
activities
OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES AND MAYORALTY PERMITS: page 8
The first step to legally operating your business
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT PERMITS: page 10
 Mayoralty Permits for Live Entertainment
 Live Entertainment zoning
ARTIST PERMITS: page 13
MOBILE FOOD TRUCKS: page 15
 Licenses and Mayoralty Permits
 Franchises
SECOND LINE VENDOR PERMITS: page 20
SPECIAL EVENT TEMPORARY ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE
OUTLETS: page 21
Selling or Distributing alcohol to the public without an annual
alcohol license
MUNICIPAL CODES: page 23
Selected portions of the Municipal Code referenced in this Guide
 Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Definitions for Cultural
Businesses
 Moratoriums
 Mayoralty Permits
 Occupational Licenses
 Artists
 Mobile Food Trucks
 Second Line Vendors
 Special Event Temporary Beverage Outlets
MAYOR’S OFFICE OF CULTURAL ECONOMY STAFF
Scott Hutcheson, Advisor to the Mayor on Cultural Economy
Alison Gavrell, Project Manager
Asante Salaam, Outreach Manager
Carroll Morton, Manager, Entertainment Industry Development
Katherine Williams, Director, Film New Orleans
Jennifer Kessler, Film & Special Event Coordinator

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ZONING 101
WHAT IS ZONING?
Zoning is how legislative bodies and commissions, like the New Orleans City Council and
the City Planning Commission, plan how parcels of land throughout a city can be used. It is both
a regulatory tool and a development tool, allowing the City to plan the placement of assets like
housing, shopping centers, and industrial areas and keep those areas in balance.
Groups of parcels are placed in various zones, such as Residential, Commercial, and Indus-
trial. Through law, the permitted, conditional, accessory, and prohibited uses of land within
each of the zone types is listed. Essentially, zoning is a tool that determines what you can build
and do on land throughout a city or parish.
HOW DOES ZONING EFFECT MY BUSINESS?
Before you buy or rent a property with the intent of doing business, you should always
check the zoning designation of that property. Starting a business whose activities are not a
permitted use in the zone without getting a conditional use or an occupational license; or in-
troducing a new use, like Live Entertainment, to your existing business without checking the
zoning or obtaining theneeded zoning adjustments and permits is not recommended as a way
to deal with zoning restrictions.
Before you can get an Occupational License and Mayoralty Permit (like an Occupancy
Permit) from Revenue, the City checks your address/parcel and determines if your proposed
use of the property is allowed in that neighborhood based on its zoning designation. A use is
the activity you will beconducting on the premises. Live Entertainment is a use, as is Restaurant,
Art Gallery, Reception Hall, Flea Market, Green Market, etc.
ZONING DEFINITIONS
PERMITTED USES: These are uses within a zoning district that are allowed, with some
standard exceptions, without having to request a conditional use, non-conforming use, or vari-
ance. Examples of uses include: single-family homes, hotels, restaurants, sidewalk café, car
washes, etc. The definition of individual uses and standards are included in the City’s Compre-
hensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO) and can vary from city to city.
ACCESSORY USES: An Accessory Use is an additional activity (use) that is separate from
the Permitted Use of a property, but is also supplementary use to the main, permitted use of
the property. An Accessory Use is a necessary or usual activity that is necessary to or commonly
paired withthe Permitted Use.
For example, a detached garage may be accessory to the residential use of a property
because it is reasonably related to the principal use (as a place to store a personal car) but
does not eclipse it (the property is not going to turn into a parking garage without a residence).
For commercially zoned properties, the storage of products for a retail establishment
can be an accessory use as having stock on hand is necessary to conduct business. Often,
though,the volume or area of storage may be limited by the CZO so that the principal use
(retail) is noteclipsed by storage, which would make the property a warehouse.

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CONDITIONAL USES: These are uses that are complimentary with the Permitted Uses in
a zoning district, but these uses may have effects that need to be mitigated in order for the use
tobe wholly compatible with the surrounding properties in the zone. For example, bars are
oftenlisted under Conditional Uses in the CZO because consumption of alcohol on a property
can haveeffects on surrounding properties (intoxicated patrons can trespass or litter; late hours
can affectnear-by residents, etc.).
In order to obtain a permit for a Conditional Use and an Occupational License for that busi-
ness, the business owner or property owner must apply to the City Planning Commission and ulti-
mately win approval of the New Orleans City Council. More information on the Conditional Use ap-
plication process is addressed on page 6.
NON-CONFORMING USES: An applicant can request to use the land in a way that does
not comply with the Permitted, Accessory, or Conditional Uses of the zoning ordinance, such as
conducting commercial activity in a residential zone. You cannot request a Non-Conforming
Use for a property that has not already been granted a Non-Conforming Use. You only apply if
you wish to change the existing Non-Conforming Use to another Non-Conforming Use of the
same or more restrictive classification. A Non-Conforming Use that remains vacant/inactive for
a continuous period of six months can no longer apply for a Non-Conforming Use, but must ad-
here to the Per- mitted, Accessory and Conditional Uses of the zoning district. Non-Conforming
Uses must also be consistent with the neighborhood surrounding the property and be providing
a needed service for the neighborhood in order for the City Council to approve it.
In order to obtain approval for Non-Conforming Use, the business or property owner must
apply to the New Orleans City Council through Safety and Permits and the City Planning Com-
mission. More information on the Non-Conforming Use application process is addressed on page 7.
VARIANCES: Variances allow for an applicant to request an exemption from certain dimen-
sional requirements for lots or buildings in a zoning district, such as requesting to have more
parking spaces than allowed by the CZO or to exceed the allowed building height. However, the
applicant must demonstrate a compelling hardship that makes the variance necessary.
In order to obtain a variance from the CZO, the business or property owner must apply to
the Board of Zoning Adjustments (BZA). More information on the variance application process is
addressed on page 7.
ZONING CHANGE: A property owner can request to change the zoning designation of
his or her land. For example, a property owner who has a property zoned for Single-Family
Residential who wishes to rent out a double shotgun home to two tenants may want to try to
change that zoning designation to Two-Family Residential.
In order to obtain a zoning change, the property owner must apply to the City Planning
Commission and ultimately win approval of the New Orleans City Council. More information on the
Zoning Change application process is addressed on page 6.
MORATORIUMS: City Council members can impose a temporary prohibition on certain uses
and/or the issuance of permits and licenses. These are moratoriums and they have a limited life
span and require a majority Council vote to come into effect. For example, a moratorium on the
issuance of new Alcoholic Beverage Outlet licenses in a certain neighborhood (defined by specific
street borders by the Council) is essentially a temporary prohibition on any use in that area asso-
ciated with bars, liquor stores, etc.

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Moratoriums cannot last more than 1 year. The Council can add up to two additional periods
of 180 days to the 1 year for the purposes of agency review. After a moratorium has expired, the
Council cannot institute the same or even a similar moratorium in the same geographic area for
at least 1 year. The process for Moratoriums is codified in the City Charter, Section 3-126. See the
Municipal Code Section on page 29.
OVERLAY DISTRICTS: These zoning districts literally are an additional zoning designation
that overlays the primary zoning designation. For example, Frenchmen Street is zoned as His-
toric Faubourg Marigny Commercial with an overlay district of Arts and Cultural Overlay District.
The Overlay District is usually for the purpose of carrying out a specific development goal,
such as to promote new cultural uses in a particular neighborhood or encourage development
along major urban streets.
When your business or property is in an Overlay District, you must look at both the
overlay designation and the underlying designation in their respective sections of the CZO to
get an accurate picture of the various uses and requirements in the district. An overlay usual-
ly keeps all the permitted uses of the underlying zoning district in place, but also enhances or
adds to those uses to further its development goal. Overlay and other special districts can be
found in Article 10 of the CZO.
WHAT IS THE ZONING FOR MY PROPERTY?
The zoning designation for specific addresses can befound online on the City website:
http://property.nola.gov/.
However, the City strongly recommends that if you contact Safety and Permits to deter
- mine any use or building code restrictions that apply to your parcel at 504-658-7100 or read
more through their website at http://www.nola.gov/safety-and-permits/.
APPLYING FOR CONDITIONAL USES, ZONING CHANGES,
NON-CONFORMING USES, AND VARIANCES
CONDITIONAL USES AND ZONING CHANGES
 Guidelines and applications for Conditional Uses and Zoning Changes are available on the
City Planning Commission website.
 The application for Conditional Use and Zoning Change is the same. It can be download-
ed here. Please note that the application is referred to as a Land-Use Request Application.
Applicants check off either “Zoning Change” or “Conditional Use” on the first page.
 Fee Schedule varies by project type, lot size, and other designations.
 Review Process (complete instructions are included on the application):
 Applicant submits form and required attachments to the City Planning Commission
andpays associated fees
 The application is assigned a zoning docket number
 The conditional use request is published in the newspaper and signs are posted in
the vicinity of the property
 The CPC staff prepares a report of the conditional use request and forwards it to
the applicant and the CPC
 A public hearing is held and the public is allowed to address any concerns and is-
sues (usually takes place 6 weeks after a complete application is received)
 The CPC makes a recommendation on the application and forwards it to the City Coun-
cil,who schedules a hearing date

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 The Clerk of Council notifies speakers from the CPC public hearing and the applicant
10 days in advance of the Council hearing
 City Council Hearing
 If approved, the City Attorney prepares an ordinance, which must be introduced:
 Before being voted on and adopted by the Council and signed by the Mayor,
the ordinance must be laid over for 21 days
 If denied, the process ends
 At this point, applicant works with CPC staff to adhere to any required site plans or
restrictions attached to the approval of the conditional use or zoning change
NON-CONFORMING USES
 Guidelines and applications can be viewed here.
 Fee: $500.00
 Review Process (complete instructions are included on the application)
 Request a “Letter of Verification” from Safety and Permits in City Hall, 7th Floor,
Room 7W03 and bring in the filled-out application form
 Safety and Permits issues the letter only if the applicant meets the qualifications
(see definitions above)
 Submit a “Change of Non-Conforming Use Request Letter to the Clerk of Council in
City Hall, 1st Floor, Room 1E09
 Submit a copy of the Request Letter to the City Planning Commission in 1340 Poy-
dras St., Ste. 900, 9th Floor
 The Executive Director of the CPC submits a written recommendation to the Council
 The Council conducts a public hearing
 The Council approves, denies, or modifies the request for Change of Non-
Conforming Use
 If approved, the applicant submits floor plans and a copy of the Motion of Approval
to Safety and Permits within 30 days and continues with the regular permitting process
VARIANCES
 Guidelines and applications can be viewed here. The application can be downloaded here.
 Fees: from $150-$250 based on project type (residential or commercial)
 Review Process (complete instructions are included on the application)
 Filing deadlines are the first Monday of each month
 Applicant sets up pre-application meeting with the staff of the Board of Zoning Ad-
justments. Call 504-658-7033 to make an appointment.
 Application and Attachments are submitted to Board of Zoning Adjustments
 The Applicant attends the monthly meeting on the second Monday of each month
at which her application is being addressed and answer any questions the Board asks;
the public may also testify for or against the application
 The Board approves or denies the application for the variance
 Appeals to denials can be made to the Civil District Court
USING THE ONLINE CZO
All of New Orleans’ codes, ordinances, resolutions, motions, and the Charter are available
online at http://www.municode.com/Library/LA/New_Orleans. If you are looking for recent Council
actions, please contact the Clerk of Council at 504-658-1085. Click on the New Orleans Zoning
button to access the CZO. If you are unsure what the definition of a use or term is, such as
“standard restaurant” or “single-family dwelling,” refer to the Definitions section, which is Article 2
in the left menu. The various permitted, accessory, and conditional uses for each type of zoning
designation are each listed in their own chapter.

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OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES,
MAYORALTY, & OCCUPANCY PERMITS
HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED A LICENSE OR PERMIT?
Almost every business in the city needs an occupational license and an occupancy or
mayoralty permit. Any enterprise that sells tickets, art works, or transacts any other sort of
business that involves revenue exchange, such as hiring a contractor or paying for a service,
needs to get an occupational license and file monthly or quarterly sales tax returns. Fee exemp-
tions for non-profits are detailed below, but please note that non-profits still have to get occu-
pational licenses and filesales tax returns.
WHAT IS A MAYORALTY PERMIT AND HOW IS IT
DIFFERENT FROM AN OCCUPATIONAL LICENCE?
Mayoralty Permits no longer have anything to do with the Mayor or his office. All Mayoral-
ty Permits are issued by the Department of Finance through the Bureau of Revenue in coopera-
tionwith the Department of Safety and Permits.
Mayoralty Permits and Occupancy Permits allow you to use a space, such as a building,
street, sidewalk, public or private lot, etc. to conduct business (i.e. buying and selling, con-
tractingservices, storing goods, manufacturing, etc.). Occupational Licenses are how the Bu-
reau of Revenue collects sales and other taxes from businesses. The license is an agreement
between you andthe City to remit taxes. The License is tied to your business activity (selling
clothes, selling tickets, being a caterer) and the taxes associated with it, and the Permit is tied
to where you are conducting this activity and whether that activity is allowed in that specific
place.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR A LICENSE OR PERMIT?
If you have never acquired an occupational license before you will need to fill out a Occu-
pational/General Business License Application available here or you can apply and pay online di-
rectly by registering for the One Stop App:
 If you already have an Occupational License and Occupancy/Mayoralty Permit, you
can renew them online at the One Stop App website every year.
 For non-profit galleries, collectives, exhibition space, retail, etc. formally organized as a 501
with the IRS or a non-profit with Louisiana Sec. of State: As a non-profit, while you may be
exempt from certain sales taxes, income, and/or selected property taxes, you MUST file
your sales tax return each month in order to keep your license.
 As part of receiving an Occupational License, you will also receive an Occupancy or
Mayoralty Permit. Safety and Permits checks your zoning designation, conducts inspec-
tions, and enforces the place-based components of running a business. Once ap-
proved by Safety and Permits, you will be issued both the Occupational License and the
Occupancy or Mayoralty Permit.
 Please keep in mind that if you are not operating in a commercially zoned area, or if
your proposed business is not a permitted, accessory or conditional use in your zon-
ing designation, you may not be able to get an occupational license without a variance
or other zoning applications. See Zoning 101 for more details.

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FEES
For retail, service, and rental establishments, the occupational license fee is based on the
annual total sales of the business and ranges from $50 per year for total sales under $50,000
to $6,200 for total sales over $5.5 million. All new licenses require a $50 sales tax deposit when
issued.
Different rates apply to Gasoline Stations, Wholesale Dealers, Lending Businesses, and
others. Flat annual license fees apply to some cultural businesses, such as mobile vendors, fes-
tival vendors, special events, and others. More information is available as you move through
the application process for your specific business.
There are also fees associated with the Occupancy or Mayoralty Permit and any neces-
sary Safety and Permits inspections and plan reviews. These fees vary based on the various
business types and uses.
SALES TAXES
All businesses and non-profits that sell merchandise must file a sales tax return:
 Sales taxes can be paid online or forms can be downloaded here.
Cultural Product Districts (CPDs) and Sales Tax Exemptions for OriginalArt:
 Within any of the 22 CPDs in Orleans Parish, original art is exempt from local and
state sales taxes.
 Original works of art eligible for the tax exemption include:
 Visual art: not limited to but including drawing, painting, sculpture, clay, ceramics,
glass, fiber, leather, metal, paper, wood, installation art, light sculpture, wearable art,
or mixed media
 Art made by the hand of the artist or under his direction
 Art not intended for mass production
 Limited, numbered editions (up to 100) of lithographs, photography, silk screen, in-
taglios, etchings and graphic design
 Ineligible media and products: performing arts, food products, live plants, music
recordings, and reproductions of original art works
 However, a business must still file a sales tax return claiming the value of the sales that
are exempt under the CPD program.
For more information on the Cultural District Program and Sales Tax Exemptions, please visit
the Cultural Products Districts website.

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LIVE ENTERTAINMENT PERMITS
WHAT IS LIVE ENTERTAINMENT?
There is no permit that is titled “Live Entertainment;” businesses are issued a Mayoralty Per-
mit that allows Live Entertainment in that location. Whether Live Entertainment is allowed is de-
termined by zoning. This chapter provides a brief overview of the definition of Live Entertain-
ment, the permit’s costs, and zoning designations that allow various types of Live Entertainment
with various limits.
Live Entertainment is defined in the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance (CZO) Section 2.2,
Definitions, #110. Highlights of the definitionare:
 Scheduled or planned performance or presentation during which both the performer(s)
and audience are physically present at the time of the performance or presentation
 Typically sponsored, promoted, advertised, or publicized in advance to attract patrons or
guests.
 Performer(s), can be:
 Professionals
 Amateur(s)
 Participant(s) from the audience
 Patron(s) or guests
 Performer(s) need not be compensated or remunerated.
Here are examples of activity that fall under Live Entertainment. Please note that there may be other
activities that may be determined by the permitting departments as Live Entertainment that are not listed
here:
 Theatrical productions
 Athletic contests
 Exhibitions
 Pageants
 Concerts, recitals
 Circuses
 Karaoke
 Bands, combos, and other live musical per-
formances
 Audience participation contests
 Floorshows
 Literature readings
 Dancing
 Fashion shows
 Comedy
 Magic acts
 Mime
 DJs, employees playing recording music
and responding to requests
Live Adult Entertainment is its own category and is highly regulated in the CZO: “Any
entertainment that features dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, male or female imper-
sonatorsor similar entertainers or live entertainment, where persons regularly appear in a
state of nudity or where live performances are characterized by the exposure of specified ana-
tomical areas or by specified sexual activities” qualifies as Live Adult Entertainment.
Exemptions include: “…periodic entertainment by schools, churches, and nonprofit organiza-
tions; live entertainment at weddings, and similar religious events within certain facilities.”

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PERMIT FEES
When applying for your Occupational License and Occupancy/Mayoralty Permit for a
new business you will need to inform Revenue that you intend to have Live Entertainment regu-
larly. Check off one of the Entertainment options under the Amusement Permit section on the
Occupational/General Business License Application or follow the directions and apply online at
the OneStop App. The application can also be downloaded here.
Like Occupational Licenses, Live Entertainment Mayoralty Permits have fees that vary
based on the type of business requesting the permit and their gross sales. However, for Live En-
tertainment, there are additional costs for charging admission.
Gross Sales With AdmissionFee Without Admission Fee Restaurants
$0-$10,000 $250.25 $100.25 $150.25
$10,001-$50,000 $500.25 $300.25 $300.25
$50,001 and above $750.25 $500.25 $500.25
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT ZONING
Live Entertainment is most frequently an accessory or conditional use in a variety of zon-
ing designations, meaning that a number of restrictions apply to it and that a separate applica-
tion process and City Council approval may be needed.
Important! Please read the relevant sections of the CZO completely to find any re-
strictions or standards that are necessary to have Live Entertainment in a particular zoning
designation or inquire with Safety and Permits on all the relevant restrictions and standards
for your business’s zoning designation! Restrictions often may not allow a particular type of
business tohave Live Entertainment, such as sidewalk cafes in the Central Business Districts.
Standards suchas the minimum floor space required, the type or number of performers, use of
amplification, and more may also be applied in the CZO.
The following business types in the CZO permit Live Entertainment (definitions in Municipal
Codes section):
 Amusement Place
 Artist Community
 Brew Pub
 Local Brewery
 Nightclub
 Reception Facility
 Hotel
 Supper Club
 Specialty Urban Marketplace
 Teen Club

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Zoning designations where Live Entertainment is either an accessory or conditional use for the
above businesses*:
 Arts and Cultural Overlay Districts
 Frenchmen Street
 Freret Street
 Commercial Districts
 C-1
 C-1A
 C-2
 Central Business Districts
 CBD-1
 CBD-2
 CBD-2B
 CBD-3
 CBD-5
 CBD-6
 CBD-7
 CBD-8
 Vieux Carre Districts
 VCS
 VCC-2
 VCE
 VCE-1
 Existing hotels in the VCC-2, VCE,
and VCS Districts
 Historic Faubourg Marigny Districts
 HMC-2
 Light and Heavy Industrial Districts
 Inner City Urban Corridor Districts
 Mixed Use District
 Business Industrial Park District
 Lake Area Neighborhood Business Dis-
tricts
 LC
 LB-1
*Hotels and Reception Facilities are often permitted under these designations, but are also permitted in
other designations where the other referenced businesses are not. If you are opening a Reception Facility
or Hotel, or plan to addLive Entertainment as a use to your existing Reception Facility or Hotel, deter-
mine your zoning designation and refer tothe permitted, accessory and conditional uses for that designa-
tion for more information. See Zoning 101 for links to find your designation and to the online CZO.

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ARTIST PERMITS
If you are interested in selling visual art in either Jackson Square or Pirates Alley/Royal
Street, you must first obtain a City-issued Artist A or B Permit (Mayoralty Permit) and an Oc-
cupational License. This chapter will help you understand how to apply, and if you are approved,
what general requirements you will need to abide by.
APPLICATION
The application process begins with the City’s One Stop for licenses and permits,
which is located on the 7th floor of City Hall (1300 Perdido Street).
For new applicants, there is a required 30 day waiting period from the day that the ap-
plication is filed with One Stop. After the 30 days have elapsed, the One Stop will notify the
applicantin writing at their provided address that they must appear to secure the permit within
15 days of the notification.
The new applicant must come to City Hall in person to secure the permit or they will
have to begin the application process again. Renewals are not subject to the waiting period
unless the permit holder fails to renew by January 31st of each year. Renewals must also be
done in personunless the applicant provides medical proof of a disabling illness.
No applicant is guaranteed a Permit.
TYPES OF ARTIST PERMITS AVAILABLE
 A Permit: this permit allows the artist to set up, work, and sell visual artworks in the “Jack
- son Square set-up area AND the “vicinity of Jackson Square” (see below under Regula-
tions for a list of locations)
 B Permit: this permit allows the artist to set up, work, and sell visual artworks ONLY n
the “vicinity of Jackson Square” (see below under Regulations for a list of locations)
You will also need to obtain an Occupational License, which allows you to do business
in New Orleans, in addition to the Artist A or B Permit (mayoralty permit), in order to lawfully
operate. Applying for and receiving this license is part of the permit application process; be
sure that both items are included when you receive your permit.
FEES
 If approved, a permit fee of $20.00, which shall be renewed annually;
 If approved, an occupational license fee of $150.00, which shall be renewed annually;
 If approved, a one-time $50.00 sales tax deposit;
 An identification card for $5.00
 Any other applicable fee that may apply.
REGULATIONS FOR PERMITTED ARTISTS
 Permits and correlating licenses expire on December 31st and renewals thereof shall
be made by January 31st.
 Permit holders who are renewing will be given preference over any application seeking a
permit for the same location.
 The number of Artist A permits issued shall be limited to 200 at any one time. There
is no limit on Artist B permits.
 All artists must wear their identification badges at all times when business is being con
-ducted.

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 The mayoralty permit and prices for artwork must be displayed on a temporary sign no
larger than 8.5 x 11 inches at all times during business hours.
 Artists may set up, sell, and take down their displays between the hours of 5 AM and 6
PM, 7 days a week.
 Only A and B permit holders may have furniture in the designated Artist areas during
authorized vendinghours.
 Artists may not place their furniture in another artist’s space or directly in front of anoth-
er artist’s space.
 Tents or other coverings (tarps, awnings) must be permitted by the Fire Department.
Umbrellas with a diameter of 8 feet or less are exempt and may be used.
 Spaces within the two artist areas are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
 Holding spaces, holding spaces overnight, or claiming a space exclusively is not allowed.
 Artists may not orally solicit potential customers or in any way attract attention to his or
herself, their own work, or their own location when the customers are in another artist’s
area.
 Artists cannot block the sidewalk or pedestrian traffic in any way.
 Artists must keep their areas clean from litter and debris.
 Artists may only sell 2 dimensional visual art that is meant to be hung. This can include
any sort of painting, sketch, drawing, collage or other item, whether on wood, canvas, or
other materials, that can be hung on a flat surface.
 No artist may sell any other items or engage in any other kind of commercial transaction
outside of selling their own artwork.
 Artist A Permits are ONLY valid in these locations:
 The Jackson Square set-up area: The area extending 20 feet from the Jackson
Square fence on St Peter Street, Chartres Street, and St Ann Street, and 5 feet from
the fence facing Decatur Street.
 Vicinity of Jackson Square: Pirates Alley and the area of the Royal Street side-
walkbounded by Pirates Alley and Pere Antoine Alley.
 Artist B Permits are ONLY valid in these locations:
 Vicinity of Jackson Square: Pirates Alley and the area of the Royal Street side-
walkbounded by Pirates Alley and Pere Antoine Alley.
 Artist Permits are NOT valid:
 When the City requires the use of its public right-of-way to facilitate projects or
events within the right-of-way.

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MOBILE FOOD TRUCKS
LICENSE AND MAYORALTY PERMIT
If you are interested in operating a food truck in any of the yellow areas indicated on
the City’s Food Truck Operating Areas map*, you must first obtain a City-issued food truck
permit(mayoralty permit) and an occupational license.
*The referenced map is for guidance purposes only. The City shall provide an applicant the specific type
of application (permit or franchise) for a specific area.
PREREQUISITES FOR APPLICATION
The application process begins with the City’s One Stop for licenses and permits, which
is located on the 7th floor of City Hall (1300 Perdido Street). Along with a completed applica-
tion, on forms provided by the City, you must also have all of the documents, certifications and
inspectionslisted below. No application shall be processed until all required documentation is
received. Noapplicant is guaranteed a Permit.
1. A copy of the mobile food truck’s valid registration with the Louisiana Department of Mo-
tor Vehicles. All trucks must be registered in the State of Louisiana.
2. A copy of automobile insurance for the mobile food truck, providing insurance cover-
agefor any automobile accident that may occur while driving on the road.
3. A copy of your commercial general liability insurance coverage policy with liability cover-
age of at least $500,000, naming the City as an insured party, providing insurance cover-
age for any accident that may occur while selling your food and conducting your busi-
ness on the public rights-of-ways. This coverage must be valid at the time of application
and throughout the year when the permit is valid. The official address of the City for in-
surance purposes is 1300 Perdido St., New Orleans, LA 70112.
4. All approvals, inspections, and certificates required by the State Department of Health and
Hospitals. For questions regarding the State Health requirements, please call 504-568-
7970.
5. All approvals, inspections, and certificates required by the New Orleans Fire Depart-
ment. For questions regarding Fire requirements, please call 504-658-4000.
6. A photo of the mobile food truck indicating the dimensions. No mobile food truck can ex-
ceed 26 feet in length or 8 feet in width. PLEASE NOTE: all food trucks must be self-
propelled vehicles with two axles. Trailers are not permitted.
7. A copy of your valid Louisiana Driver’s license.
You will also need to obtain an occupational license, which allows you to do business in
New Orleans, in addition to the food truck permit (mayoralty permit), in order to lawfully oper-
ate yourfood truck. Applying for and receiving this license is part of the permit application pro-
cess, be sure that both items are included when you receive your permit.
Any driver of a food truck must possess a valid Louisiana Driver’s license, as required
by State law, and any driver and employee of a food truck must possess a City-issued em-
ployee I.D. card.

16
FEES
 A non-refundable application fee of $50.00;
 If approved, a food truck permit (mayoralty) fee of $400.25, which shall be renewed an-
nually;
 If approved, an occupational license fee of $150.00, which shall be renewed annually;
 If approved, a one-time $50.00 sales tax deposit;
 A $5.00 I.D. card fee per card; and
 Any other applicable fee that may apply.
REGULATIONS FOR OPERATIONS
 Food Truck permits and correlating licenses expire on December 31st and renewals shall
be made by January 31.
 As of January 1st, 2014, all mobile food trucks must comply with the Prerequisites for
Application listed on the front of this page to either renew or apply for permits and li-
censes.
 As of January 1, 2014, there is a limit of 100 mobile Food Truck Permits per calendar
year.
 There is no proximity restriction from restaurants for food trucks.
 Licenses and permits must be displayed and affixed to the front windshield in the lower
corner on the passenger side.
 Vendors must obey all applicable parking, traffic and vehicle safety laws, regulations, and
restrictions. This includes the feeding of parking meters.
 Trucks can remain in one location no longer than 4 hours.
 Trucks may only sell food; no other goods, wares, or other items may be sold.
 Mobile food trucks may not operate:
 Within 20 feet of any intersection;
 Within 20 feet of any stop sign, flashing beacon, yield sign, or other traffic control sig-
nal located on the side of a roadway;
 Within 3 feet of any public or private driveway, wheelchair ramp or bicycle ramp;
 In any manner that impedes an exit or entrance of an operating building.
 No vendor may sell alcoholic beverages, controlled substances, or any other illegal item.
 No furniture, or any other objects can be placed in the street, sidewalk, or any right-of-
way, except a trash receptacle.
 All vendors must provide a trash receptacle within three feet of the front or back of the
truck on a public street.
 All vendors must keep a 50 foot radius around the truck clean during operation and up-
onceasing operation.
 No horns, amplification systems, or other sound-producing devices or music systems
 which can be heard outside of the truck may be used.
 No third party advertising may be displayed on any mobile food truck.
 No permit is valid in any area of the City that is the color blue on the City’s Food Truck
Operating Areas map. If you desire to operate in a blue area, you must obtain a Franchise.
 In addition to not being able to operate in any blue area on the City’s Food Truck Oper-
ating Area’s map, the following areas and times are also prohibited:
 The entirety of the Vieux Carre, bounded by: Iberville Street, the Northbound side of
North Rampart Street, Esplanade Avenue and the Mississippi River;
 The entirety of the Faubourg Marigny. bounded by Esplanade Ave, N. Rampart St, up
to but not including Elysian Fields Ave, and the Mississippi river;

17
 Within two blocks of any elementary or secondary school when school is in session
 During the Mardi Gras Season in the locations governed by sections 34-34 et. seq.;
 During the Annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Season within the area
bounded by Florida Avenue on the north, North Broad Avenue on the east, Espla-
nadeAvenue on the south, and Bayou St. John on the west (excluding the portion of
thatarea contained within the exterior boundaries of the New Orleans Fair Grounds
Race-track) commencing at 7:00 a.m. on the first day of live music performances and
continuing through and until 11:59 p.m. on the concluding day of live music perfor-
mances;
 In a clean zone as authorized by an ordinance adopted by the Council; and
MOBILE FOOD TRUCK FRANCHISES
If you are interested in operating a food truck in any of the blue areas indicated on the
City’s Mobile Food Truck Operating Areas map* and you have already received a City-issued Mo-
bile Food Truck Permit and Occupational License, you must apply for and be granted a City-
issued Mobile Food Truck Franchise from the New Orleans City Council.
*The referenced map is for guidance purposes only. The City shall provide an applicant the specific type of
application (Permit or Franchise) for a specific area.
PREREQUISITES FOR APPLICATION
The Franchise Application process begins with the City’s One Stop for licenses and per-
mits, which is located on the 7th floor of City Hall (1300 Perdido Street).
Along with a completed application, on forms provided by the City, you must also provide:
1. A copy of your valid Mobile Food Truck Permit;
2. A copy of your valid Occupational License; and
3. An application fee of $175.00.
No application for a Mobile Food Truck Franchise shall be processed until a copy of
your Mobile Food Truck Permit and Occupational License are received. No applicant is
guaranteed a Franchise.
Any driver of a mobile food truck must possess a valid Louisiana Driver’s license, as re-
quired by State law, and any driver and/or employee of a mobile food truck must possess a City-
issued employee I.D. card.
REGULATIONS FOR FRANCHISES
 Mobile Food Truck Franchise applications are available as of January 1st, 2014. There
are no limits on the number of Franchise applications.
 Once you have submitted your application to One Stop Shop, the City will perform a
traffic study to evaluate a Franchise applicant’s desired location and communicate its
findings and recommendations to the City Council. The City Council will then review this
study determine if the Franchise location will be granted, and begin the process of cre-
ating anordinance and holding a public hearing.
 10 days prior to the City Council’s public hearing an applicant must post a city-issued
notice at their desired location to inform the public of the pending request and the pub-
lic hearing.

18
 If the City Council approves the Franchise request, the City Council will pass an ordi-
nancecodifying your approved location, times, and operating parameters.
 In order to pass an ordinance, it must first be put on the Council’s calendar, at the dis-
cretion of the Council, and introduced at a regular Council Meeting (1st and 3rd Thurs
- days, subject to change).
 Before the introduction of any ordinance, notice of its introduction must be published
by the Clerk of Council in the official journal of the city for at least 7 calendar days
but not more than 14 calendar days.
 At least 20 calendar days must pass from the day after the introduction before
voting at another regular Council meeting
 If the ordinance is passed by a majority vote of the Council present at the regular
meeting; the Mayor has up to 10 calendar days to sign the ordinance, veto it, or take
no action, which results in the ordinance passing.
 References to the above legal requirements can be found in the City Charter, Sec. 3-
112 to 3-113.
 Expect a minimum period of 45 days for voting and possible approval of a fran-
chiseafter it has been advertised and placed on the calendar for introduction; but
beaware that the Council has discretion in timing of ordinance introductions.
 There will be an annual Franchise fee for operating at a Franchise location due to the
City. The amount will be determined by the City Council in the Franchise ordinance. The
amount is based on factors including the location and operating times.
 If a Franchise location is granted by the City Council, a mobile food truck can operate at
the approved location, only during the approved days/times, and in the manner provided
by the City Council.
 A Franchise holder must display and affix to the front windshield in the lower corner on
the passenger side the Franchise credential provided by the City.
 Franchises are prohibited:
 In the Vieux Carre, bounded by: Iberville Street, the Northbound side of North Rampart
Street, Esplanade Avenue and the Mississippi River;
 The entirety of the Faubourg Marigny. bounded by Esplanade Ave, N. Rampart St, up
to but not including Elysian Fields Ave, and the Mississippi river;
 During the Mardi Gras Season in the locations governed by sections 34-34 et. seq.;
 During the Annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Season within the area
bounded by Florida Avenue on the north, North Broad Avenue on the east, Espla-
nadeAvenue on the south, and Bayou St. John on the west (excluding the portion of
thatarea contained within the exterior boundaries of the New Orleans Fair Grounds
Race-track) commencing at 7:00 a.m. on the first day of live music performances and
continuing through and until 11:59 p.m. on the concluding day of live music perfor-
mances;
 In a clean zone as authorized by an ordinance adopted by the Council; and
APPLICATION PROCESS SUMMARY

20
SECOND LINE VENDORS
HOW TO APPLY
1. Fill out the Occupational/General Business License form.
2. The License form can be downloaded here or can be filled out in the One Stop: 1300 Perdi-
do St, 7th Floor, New Orleans, LA 70112
FEES
 A permit fee of $25.00, which shall be renewed annually
 A one-time only sales tax deposit of $50.00
REGULATIONS FOR SECOND LINE VENDORS
 ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY NOT BE SOLD ON CITY STREETS WITH THIS PERMIT.
 Each year, permits will expire on December 31st. Renewals of your permit can take place
after this date each January. You have until the end of January to renew your license each
year.
 Your permit is only valid one hour before, during, and one hour after a Second Line
that has a valid parade permit.
 You may also use this permit at a special event where a Social Aid and Pleasure Club
has obtained a special event Promoter License and Mayoralty Permit.
 You may not use this permit to sell food or items anywhere else in the city, including the
streets, sidewalks, parks, inside buildings, from vehicles, etc. except before, during and
after permitted Second Line parades.
 You may sell from parked vehicles or pushcarts on the sidewalks as long as pedestri-
ans can still pass easily.
 No vehicles may be parked on the neutral ground.
 If you are a stationary (not walking with the Second Line) vendor, you may sell in any
single location 1 hour before the Second Line passes, during the Second Line, and 1
hour after the Second Line has passed.
 You are allowed to move with the Second Line and sell if you are using a pushcart,
walking, or other vehicle except for motor vehicles. You must keep moving unless you
are making a sale.
 No stands, card tables or other tables, except hand-carried or pushed displays are al-
lowed on the streets, sidewalks, alleys, parks, squares, neutral grounds, or right-of-way
for the sale or display of goods.
 Allowed food items: prepared and packaged foods, cooked food, food cooked to or-
der,food cooked on, in, or next to the vendor vehicle or cart.
 Propane grills may not be used.
 Menu required: vendors must display a menu of food items with set prices that is attached
to their vehicle, pushcart, or other means of transport.
 Permits must be displayed on the vehicle, pushcart or other means of transport that the
vendor is using.
 Trash cans or bags must be made available by the vendor to the public at all times
while the vendor is selling.
 Vendors must keep a 10 ft. area around their vehicle, pushcart, etc. clean of trash and
litter while vending.
 Second Line Vendor permits are NOT valid during the two-week Mardi Gras season.
 Vendors must pay City and State sales tax. More information on sales tax will be given to
you when applying for your permit.

21
SPECIAL EVENT TEMPORARY
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE OUTLET
LICENSES
TEMPORARY ABO: WHO NEEDS IT AND WHY?
For businesses that want to serve alcohol on a daily or frequent basis, obtaining an an-
nual Alcoholic Beverage Outlet License (ABO) from the City and the State is required. Re-
quirements are strict and include criminal background checks, restroom requirements, and
other conditions.
For those businesses that wish to occasionally (Twelve 3 day (the 3 days must be con-
secutive) periods or less per year) serve alcohol to the public during a special event, such as a
gallery opening, during a festival, or for a public reception, a Temporary Alcoholic Beverage
Outlet (Temp. ABO) is required. This includes ticketed events. If you have an annual ABO for
your restaurant or bar, and you wish to serve/sell to the general public outside of your prem-
ises (on sidewalk, in parking lot, etc.) you DO need a Temporary ABO.
City and State laws require a temporary license for any alcohol sales or free distributionto
the public. If a business, household, or any other entity is holding a private party on private
property and giving away alcohol to their guests, they would not need this license. If you hired
a catering company with its own ABO to serve at a private event, you would not need this li-
cense. If youare open and/or the general public can walk in or buy tickets and obtain alco-
hol (whether freeor for a fee), you DO need this permit.
The basic principle behind Temp. ABOs is that without any regulation of public sales or
free distribution of alcohol at businesses that are not bars or restaurants, etc. or outside in pub-
lic areas atspecial events, we undermine those businesses with annual ABOs who must comply
with far morestringent regulations to hold their licenses (numbers of restrooms, criminal back-
ground checks, etc.). We also open up residential neighborhoods to commercial activity without
their consent if we do not track and license special events that involve alcohol. As noted in the
Zoning section above, activities that include alcohol may have impacts on surrounding business-
es and propertiessuch as litter, trespassing, and noise. A Temporary ABO helps enforcement
identify who is responsible for the event.
HOW TO APPLY
Having the correct Temporary ABO License in Louisiana requires two steps and two li-
censes—one local license and one state license.
Step 1: You must apply for a New Orleans Temporary ABO license. The City’s application pro-
cess for Temporary ABO license allows the Revenue Department and Safety and Permits to
screenzoning and get City Council approval, required by law. The Temp. ABO can last a maxi-
mum of 3 consecutive days (by state law). The application process can take up to 30 days to
acquire due tothe multiple approvals needed. Please note there is a maximum cap of local
Temp. ABOs for anyentity of 12 per year. Once you have applied for your local license, be sure
to write down the permit number of your application. You will need it to acquire your State
license. Applications areavailable here and can be brought to the One Stop at 1300 Perdido St.,
7th, Floor, New Orleans, LA 70112 for processing.

22
Step 2: Acquire a State Temporary ABO License. This License is distributed by the Louisiana De-
partment of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. Take your New Orleans permit number with you and
apply a minimum of 10 days in advance of your event. The ATC has opened an office in New Or-
leans in Benson Tower, 1450 Poydras St., Ste. 850, New Orleans, LA 70112. Applications and assis-
tance are available at the office or on their website.
FEES
 City of New Orleans Fees:
 Processing Fee: $250.00
 Beer: $135.00
 Liquor and Wine: $500.00
 State of LouisianaFees:
 For 501(c)3 or 501(c)8 applicants: $0
 State or other non-501 non-profit organization: $10.00
 Businesses and all other applicants: $100.00

58
PHOTO CREDITS
Cover
Jackson Square at French Quarter Festival, photo by Jay Combe, Courtesy of the Convention and Visitors
Bureau
Table of Contents
Galatoires Lunch, photo by Chris Granger, Courtesy of the Convention and Visitors Bureau
Red Beans and Rice at the Praline Connection, photo by Chris Granger, Courtesy of the Con-
vention and Visitors Bureau
Page 9
Isabelle Jacopin shows her work at Bayou Boogaloo, photo by Ben Barnes
Page 12
Charles Brimmer at Rock-n-Bowl, Courtesy of the New Orleans Tourism and Marketing Corpo-
ration
Page 14
Jackson Square Art Colony, photo by Pat Garin, Courtesy of the Convention and Visitors Bu-
reau

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