New Orleans Mardi Gras Parking Enforcement

CITY ANNOUNCES MARDI GRAS PARKING ENFORCEMENT

NEW ORLEANS, LA— Today, the City announced its parking enforcement policy for Mardi Gras in the upcoming weeks. Parking enforcement policies remain the same as in previous years.
• Two hours prior to the scheduled start of each Mardi Gras parade, any unauthorized vehicle on any part of the published parade route will be ticketed and towed. This will ensure public safety and facilitate the flow of the Carnival Krewes ($75 fine and seizure);
• Two hours after a Mardi Gras parade ends, any unauthorized vehicle on any part of the published parade route will be ticketed and towed. This is done to clear the route for the City’s Department of Sanitation ($25 fine and seizure);
• Beginning the Friday before Mardi Gras, at 12:01 a.m., until the Wednesday after Mardi Gras, at 6:00 p.m., no vehicles, except those issued permits, are allowed into the French Quarter between Iberville, N. Rampart, Dumaine, and Decatur ($50 fine and seizure);
• Parking of vehicles equipped with living accommodations is prohibited during certain hours. It is strictly enforced during the Mardi Gras season, particularly in the Central Business District, Warehouse and Garden District;
• Before, during and after the parades, the City will extend enforcement efforts into the neighborhoods adjacent to the published parade routes. This will minimize non-residential intrusion. Parking Officers will primarily enforce the following: o Valid Residential Parking Permits ($40 fine),
o Safety violations which include:
§ Blocking hydrants,
§ Parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk, intersection, or stop sign,
§ Parking in the wrong direction (vehicles must park in the direction of travel on one way streets, and with the right wheel to the curb on two way streets), § Vehicles blocking sidewalks,
§ Vehicles blocking driveways, § Parking in Handicap zone ($500 fine), o Scofflaw vehicles that have unpaid parking tickets shall be immobilized.
• Vehicles parked on the neutral ground are subject to a parking violation and seizure ($75 fine). For more information on parking enforcement, citizens may call:
• Department of Public Works (Parking enforcement and information), (504) 658-8100 (answered 24 hours)
• Information related to Residential Parking Permits, (504) 658-8200 • Pay and release of boot, (504) 658-8083.
• Information on Ticket/Tow Appeals Hearings: (504) 658-8250

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(ED: thanks to Jim Danner of the MCNO mailing list for sharing this press release)