This amendment increases fines for illegally demolishing historic buildings in New Orleans and gives the city a legal claim on those properties to collect unpaid penalties.
Louisiana2026Enacted
HB368
New Rules for Historic Building Fines and Liens in New Orleans
Last scannedAug 25, 2026, 3:26 AM
In one sentence
This law increases the maximum fines for demolishing historic buildings without permission in New Orleans and allows the city to place liens on properties where violations occur.
What it does
- Increases the maximum fine for unauthorized demolition from $25,000 to $50,000 or fifteen percent of a building's assessed value, whichever is higher.
- Allows New Orleans to record a lien against property if an owner violates historic preservation rules by demolishing without approval.
- Requires unpaid fines and penalties to be added to the annual property tax bill for that specific location.
- States that liens on homes with homestead exemptions become due ninety days after the owner dies or when the home is sold, mortgaged, or title transfers.
Who it affects
- Owners, agents, lessees, and others acting for them who demolish structures in New Orleans without a certificate of appropriateness
- The City of New Orleans landmarks commission and enforcement agencies
Limits and unknowns
- The law only applies to structures located within the City of New Orleans.
- Liens on properties with homestead exemptions do not become payable until specific events occur after the owner's death or a transfer of title.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Certificate of Appropriateness
- Official permission required before demolishing a structure in the city of New Orleans.
- Lien and Privilege
- A legal claim against property that secures payment for fines, costs, and penalties owed to the city once recorded.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
DISTRICTS/HISTORIC: Provides relative to historic preservation districts and landmarks commissions in the city of New Orleans
Official activity
Bill history
- Effective date: 08/01/2026.H
- Becomes Act No. 959 without the Governor's signature.H
- Sent to the Governor for executive approval.H
- Signed by the President of the Senate.S
- Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.H
- Notice of Senate adoption of Conference Committee Report.H
- Conference Committee Report read; adopted by a vote of 32 yeas and 1 nays.S
- Notice House adopted the Conference Committee Report.S
- Conference Committee Report read, roll called, yeas 82, nays 11. The Conference Committee Report was adopted.H
- Scheduled for floor debate on 05/31/2026.H
- Conference committee report received.S
- Conference Committee report received. Lies over under the rules.H
- Notice of Senate conferees appointed.H
- Senate conference committee members appointed: Barthelemy, Luneau, and Miller.S
- Notice House Conference Committee members appointed.S
- House conferees appointed: Freeman, Gadberry, and Knox.H
- Notice House rejected the Senate amendments.S
- Read by title, roll called, yeas 94, nays 0, Senate amendments rejected, conference committee appointment pending.H
- Scheduled for concurrence on 05/27/2026.H
- Received from the Senate with amendments.H
Changes
Amendments
3 stored
This amendment records that the House voted to reject all changes proposed by the Senate for Bill HB368.
This amendment gives local governments in New Orleans the power to place financial liens on properties where historic preservation violations occur.