Parking in New Orleans
Parking Your Car
Parking in New Orleans can be challenging, considering the millions of visitors who visit by car every year. Even local residents find the parking rules of the city daunting.
The many commercial lots in the French Quarter can usually accommodate enough visitors on a given day. At a few locations within the French Quarter, Early Bird specials are available to motorists ranging from $7.00 to $10.00 all day. With Early Bird deals, however, the driver needs to park by 9:00 A.M. and leave by 6:00 P.M. and cannot leave the parking lot before 3 PM.
After 9:00 a.m., prices rise considerably: hourly rates can run as much as $10.00 in some areas. Please check the hourly rate before deciding where to park.
More daring motorists willing to troll for a space on the street should remember the most important rule of parking in New Orleans: READ PARKING SIGNS CAREFULLY! Rules can change from neighborhood to neighborhood, and some violations can be very costly.
Violations range from $20 at an expired meter and $40 for parking too close to a corner, to $75 for parking on the median (called a “neutral ground” in New Orleans), $200 for parking on the sidewalk in the French Quarter, and $500 for parking boats or trailers in unauthorized areas (which is almost everywhere in the city limits).
Parking Offenses
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Blocking driveways or fire lanes
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On sidewalks or neutral grounds
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Near fire hydrants (within 15 feet)
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On corners and crosswalks (within 20 feet)
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In loading and service zones (buses and cab zones too)
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On a parade route within two hours of a parade
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During rush hours (7-9 a.m., 4-6 p.m.) on major streets
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On street cleaning days (usually Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 a.m. - Noon)
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At bagged meters (during special events) and broken meters
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Near railroad crossings (within 50 feet)
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On-street for more than 24 consecutive hours
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Vehicles longer than 22 feet overnight in the Central Business District
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On a narrow street without allowing 10 feet of unobstructed roadway
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More than 18 inches from the curb
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Having 3 or more unpaid parking violations.
If your car is towed away (we're sorry, but it happens), contact the Claiborne Auto Pound at (504) 658-8284.
Parking Meters
The city has modernized many of its parking meters, and some now accept dollar bills and credit cards which give you a printed receipt to place on your car dashboard.
As of January 11, 2016, on-street parking meter rates in the French Quarter, Marigny, Central Business District and Warehouse District are $3.00 an hour. Parking meter rates are $2.00 an hour everywhere else in the city of New Orleans. Operating hours for the meters are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday-Saturday.
Parking is prohibited at meters in designated rush hour zones from 7 a.m. - 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Please read the meters before you park! Also know that broken meters are not free passes. They are technically off-limits and could land you a ticket!
Handicapped Parking
Don't park in Handicap Zones without an official handicapped license plate. Travelers with legal handicap credentials are permitted to park in metered spaces for free for up to 3 hours. For questions regarding handicap permits and parking information call (504) 658-4020 or email ppmccranie@nola.gov.
Park-N-Shop Lots
Many downtown businesses and department stores offer free or discounted parking with minimum purchases. Be sure to get your parking stamp, pass or receipt with your purchase.
Parking Reservations
Want to secure your parking spot before you arrive? Try these helpful sites.
Parking Panda
Use the Parking Panda online platform and mobile app to find, reserve and pay for parking in advance. This mobile reservation service operates in selling reservations for a variety of companies at over 30 locations in New Orleans.
Premium Parking
Premium Parking also offers online reservations at several locations in the New Orleans Area. To reserve parking, go to www.premiumparking.com/park and click the red pins on the Google Map for your desired location. You then follow the links and instructions to complete your parking reservation. Their overnight rates offer a significant discount from the rates hotels charge.
Park-N-Ride
Many downtown businesses and department stores offer free or discounted parking with minimum purchases. Be sure to get your parking stamp, pass or receipt with your purchase.
Two Central Business District shuttles routes are available. Please call for rates and shuttle information.
Park N Ride
900 Howard Avenue
(504) 307-5726
There are two Howard Ave Park and Ride shuttles that run every 6 minutes between 6am - 9:30am and 4pm - 6:30pm. The shuttle driver is also on call between 9:30 am - 4 pm at 504-307-5726.
The shuttle leaves from the lot at 922/932 Howard, next to WDSU Channel 6, and costs $5/day or $85/month (monthly passes can only be purchased at the beginning of the month). It makes 3 stops:
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O'Keefe and Poydras
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St. Charles and Poydras
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Girod and St. Charles
Fulton Street Garage
901 Convention Center
(504) 891-2897
Drivers can also park outside the downtown area preferably near a Streetcar route, either at parking lot for a fee or on the street, and ride the Streetcar to their destination.
Holidays
Parking is free on "meter" holidays observed by the City of New Orleans:
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New Year's Day
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Independence Day
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Martin L. King, Jr. Day
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Labor Day
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Mardi Gras Day (the day before Ash Wednesday)
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Thanksgiving Day
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Memorial Day
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Christmas Day
Airport Parking
Louis Armstrong International Airport offers plenty of safe, affordable, covered parking connected directly to the main terminal. For rates and more information, visit: ezparker.com.
Numbers to Know
General Parking Questions & Parking Enforcement: (504) 658-8200
Administrative Hearing Center: (504) 658-8250
Booting: (504) 565-7451
Towing Information/Auto Pound: (504) 658-8284
Parking Enforcement: (504) 658-8200