New Orleans Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance

Printed: 3/29/2024 1:45:20 AM

20.3.GGG Utilities

20.3.GGG.1 Electric Substations and Transmission Facilities   

a. All facilities shall be approved by the Department of Public Works.

b. Substation facilities shall be a minimum area of one (1) acre.

c. Substation facilities shall be located within and completely surrounded by a masonry wall or solid fence a minimum of six (6) feet in height and set back a minimum of twenty (20) feet from all property lines in residential districts and in accord with applicable district regulations for all other districts.

d. All structures for substations, other than poles, shall be set back in accord with applicable district regulations. Self-supporting radio towers shall be set back a minimum of fifty (50) feet in all residential districts and in accord with district regulations in all other districts.

e. All structures other than poles or self-supporting radio towers are limited to the height requirements of the zoning district.

f. Existing electric substations may continue to be operated, maintained, structurally altered or expanded provided that such expansion or alteration does not further encroach on the required twenty (20) foot setback from all property lines or the applicable height regulations for such district and provided further that such expansion is allowed only if such use is adequately screened from any abutting residential property by a solid fence or hedge at least six (6) feet in height. Existing electric transmission facilities may continue to be operated, maintained or structurally altered without any change in route.

20.3.GGG.2 Telephone Exchanges   

a. Telephone exchanges shall be approved by the Department of Public Works.

b. Telephone exchanges shall be on a site of at least twenty thousand (20,000) square feet. Telephone exchanges shall be set back a minimum of twenty (20) feet from all property lines from all residential districts and in accord with applicable district regulations in all other districts.

c. All structures, other than poles or self-supporting radio towers, are limited to the height requirements of the zoning district.

d. The location, character, and extent of proposed telephone exchanges shall be reviewed and approved by the Executive Director of the City Planning Commission prior to the issuance of required permits. Such review of said facilities shall ensure that the facility will be in keeping with the existing neighborhood and adjoining property’s architectural and aesthetic characteristics so that the facility will not adversely affect the existing environment of the area and will be consistent with the intent and purposes of this Ordinance to promote public health, safety, and welfare.

e. All structures and parking areas shall be adequately screened from any abutting residential district by a solid fence or hedge a minimum of six (6) feet in height.

f. In all districts, existing telephone exchanges may continue to be operated, maintained, structurally altered, or expanded provided that such expansion or alteration does not further encroach on the required yards, off-street parking requirements, or floor area ratio requirements of the applicable district regulations and provided further that such expansion is permitted only if such use is adequately screened from any abutting residential property by a solid fence or hedge at least six (6) feet in height.

20.3.GGG.3 Aboveground Utility Structures   

20.3.GGG.3.a Aboveground Utility Structures Size Categories   

Aboveground utility structures are regulated according to size, as defined below:

i.  Small aboveground utility structures do not exceed one (1) foot in height and two (2) feet in either width or depth.

ii.  Medium aboveground utility structures do not exceed three (3) feet in height and four (4) feet in either width or depth.

iii.  Large aboveground utility structures do not exceed five (5) feet in height and five (5) feet in either width or depth.

iv.  Extra large aboveground utility structures exceed the dimension restrictions of a large aboveground utility structure.

20.3.GGG.3.b Location   

In new developments, all structures servicing a building shall be placed on the same side of a building. 

20.3.GGG.3.c Screening and Maintenance   

i.  As indicated in Paragraph d below, two levels of screening are specified. These are defined as follows:

(A)  Level 1 Screening: Screening on all sides of the structure except for those containing access openings to the structure. Screening materials may be a masonry wall, solid fence, or hedge and shall be the height of the structure.

(B)  Level 2 Screening: Screening on all sides of the structure except for those containing access openings to the structure. Screening shall be a solid fence the height of the structure.

ii.  Existing fences, walls, and landscape may be used to meet screening requirements.

iii.  The utility shall maintain the screening, unless the property owner has agreed to maintain the screening.

iv.  The utility shall maintain the structure free of graffiti. The exterior shall be maintained to prevent visible deterioration.

20.3.GGG.3.d Permitted Locations   

The permitted locations for aboveground utility structures for residential and non-residential districts are indicated in Table 20-3: Permitted Location for Aboveground Utility Structures in Residential Districts and Table 20-4: Permitted Location for Aboveground Utility Structures in Non-Residential Districts.

Table 20-3: Permitted Location for Aboveground Utility Structures in Residential Districts

LOCATION

SIZE

SMALL

MEDIUM

LARGE

EXTRA LARGE

In right-of-way1 adjacent to front yard with or without screening

 

 

 

 

In right-of-way1 adjacent to corner side or rear yard with level 1 screening

X

X

 

 

In right-of-way1 adjacent to corner side or rear yard with level 2 screening

X

X

X

 

In alley right-of-way with or without screening

X

X

X

 

Front, corner side or rear yard in utility servitude without screening

X

 

 

 

Front, corner side or rear yard in utility servitude with level 1 screening

X

X

 

 

Corner side or rear yard in utility servitude with level 2 screening

X

X

X

 

Rear yard in utility servitude with level 2 screening

X

X

X

X

In transmission servitude with level 1 screening

X

X

X

X

TABLE 20-3 FOOTNOTES

1 Excluding alleys.

 

Table 20-4: Permitted Location for Aboveground Utility Structures in Non-Residential Districts

LOCATION

SIZE

SMALL

MEDIUM

LARGE

EXTRA LARGE

In right-of-way1 without screening

X

 

 

 

In utility servitude without screening

X

 

 

 

In right-of-way1 with level 1 screening

X

X

X

 

In utility servitude with level 1 screening

X

X

X

 

In alley right-of-way with or without screening

X

X

X

 

TABLE 20-4 FOOTNOTES

1 Excluding alleys.