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. Early Bird specials are available to motorists in by 9:00 a.m., ranging from $3.50 to $7.00 all day. After 9:00 a.m., prices rise considerably: hourly rates can run as much as $10.00 in some areas.

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 $15 at an expired meter 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 $300 for parking boats or trailers in unauthorized areas (which is almost everywhere in the city limits).

Parking Offenses

• Blocking driveways or fire lanes
• On sidewalks or neutral grounds
• Near fire hydrants (within 15 feet)
• On corners and crosswalks (within 20 feet)
• In loading and service zones (buses and cab zones too)
• On a parade route within two hours of a parade
• During rush hours (7-9 a.m., 4-6 p.m.) on major streets
• On street cleaning days (usually Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 a.m. - Noon)
• At bagged meters (during special events) and broken meters
• Near railroad crossings (within 50 feet)
• On-street for more than 24 consecutive hours
• Vehicles longer than 22 feet overnight in the Central Business District
• On a narrow street without allowing 10 feet of unobstructed roadway
• More than 18 inches from the curb
• 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) 565-7450.

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. Downtown meters usually cost a quarter for 12 minutes, enforced from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday-Friday. 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. Drivers in rental cars may obtain a special handicapped placard by calling (504) 483-4610.

Park-N-Shop Lots

Many downtown businesses and department stores offer free or discounted parking with minimum purchases.

Park-N-Ride

A French Quarter and two Central Business District shuttles routes are available. Drivers can also park outside the downtown area and ride the streetcar to their destination.

Holidays

Parking is free on "meter holidays observed by the City of New Orleans:

• New Year's Day
  
• Independence Day
  
• Martin L. King, Jr. Day
  
• Labor Day
  
• Mardi Gras Day (the day before Ash Wednesday)
• Thanksgiving Day
  
• Memorial Day
  
• Christmas Day

Numbers to Know

General Parking Questions: 504-658-8200
Administrative Hearing Center: 504-658-8004, 504-658-8005
Booting: 504-565-7451
Towing Information/Auto Pound: 504-565-7451
Parking Enforcement: 504-658-8200