The City of New Orleans, Department of Public Works (DPW) is responsible for overseeing permits issued for work within the public right right-of-way. When residents and property owners make changes to the public right of way without permission, unanticipated consequences may cause damage to personal and public property. To limit the frequency that such unpermitted work is performed, DPW is implementing a new process to require property owners to restore the public right-of-way.
For example, about 20 percent of the city drains via drainage ditches or bioswales. Over the years, residents and property owners have installed unpermitted driveways over these ditches, which if not implemented properly, can prevent water from flowing into the drainage system and cause water to pool on roadways or sidewalks. Pooling water in roadways and on sidewalks limits access to pedestrians, people pushing strollers and people using wheelchairs.
When residents fill the same drainage ditches with gravel or concrete, they may keep their feet dry while parking, but long term this limits and prevents storm water from flowing to the nearest catch basin or water detention area.
A resident who has installed metal posts or bollards in front of their home without permission from DPW risks accidently hitting underground utilities during installation and may also prevent others from parking in the public right-of-way. Metal posts, especially those connected by chains, may seem like an effective way to prevent neighbors from trampling fresh landscaping but in reality, the bollards are preventing people from accessing the public right-of-way. Curb space is public, meaning everyone should be able to access it equally. Unlawfully reserving the public right-of-way for your personal use is not allowed.
DPW will be implementing a new adjudication program to facilitate property owners restoring the right of way to previous conditions. Initially, DPW will focus on violations that have occurred within the last 18 months. Failure to respond to DPW or correct the issue may result in a lien against the property owner.
Reports of unpermitted work in the public right of way should be submitted to 311. Questions about the adjudication program may be directed to DPW at dpw@nola.gov.