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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 15, 2026
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City Council Regular Meeting Summary
Thursday, October 15, 2026
NEW ORLEANS, LA – At its regular meeting today, the City Council adopted several pieces of legislation, including an ordinance to raise the short-term rental nightly fee, a motion to establish a temporary polling location for upcoming elections, and more.
Before the meeting began, the Council recognized Evan McFarland for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout through the Boy Scouts of America. During his time with the Boy Scouts, McFarland earned a wide range of merit badges, including emergency preparedness, environmental science, personal fitness, first aid, and more. McFarland has also served in leadership positions within his troop and has coordinated with fellow Scouts and community members to reduce waste and support recycling during Mardi Gras.
Councilmember JP Morrell with McFarland and his parents.
Additionally, the Council held three Special Orders of Business. First, the Council honored the STUDENTS Club. Founded in 1946 by World War II veteran students attending Louisiana’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), the STUDs Club has spent 80 years advancing civic engagement and community service, including supporting the Civil Rights Movement and organizing food and clothing drives. Today, the organization’s primary mission is to provide scholarships to Louisiana’s five HBCUs.
Beyond annual club donations, individual members have contributed more than $250,000 in cash and in-kind support to HBCU scholarship programs, reflecting its enduring commitment to education and community enhancement.
Members of the City Council with members of the STUDs Club.
Next, the Council celebrated Patrick Thomas, WGNO’s first African-American Chief Photographer, for his 45-year career as a video journalist. Thomas served from 1981 to 2026 and officially retired on October 12, 2026, marking the conclusion of a distinguished career in broadcast journalism.
Members of the City Council with Patrick Thomas.
Finally, the Council recognized the Young Artivist Clubs for eight months of youth engagement and the inaugural Young Artivist Day, held September 20, 2026, at Dirty Coast on Magazine Street. The event brought together young people from across New Orleans for presentations and fundraising to support free youth programs. In partnership with local schools, the New Orleans Youth Alliance’s Re-Engagement Center, and the New Orleans Public Library, the clubs promote artivism, using artistic expression to inspire change and strengthen communities.
Members of the City Council with Young Artivist Co-Director Mat Shwartzman and members of the Young Artivist Club.
Short-Term Rental Nightly Fee Increases to $20
The Council adopted Ordinance No. 35,574, which amends and reordains a section of the City Code regarding the nightly fee for each night a dwelling unit is used as a short-term rental. Specifically, it raises the short-term rental nightly fee from $12 to $20 for both commercial and non-commercial rentals. This new rate better reflects the cost of city services associated with short-term rental guests.
This increase is expected to generate approximately $3.5 million in additional revenue for the City.
Short-Term Rental Rules Updated to Align with Federal Court Ruling
The Council adopted Ordinance No. 35,597, which amends and reordains sections of the City Code to update short-term rental regulations in response to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. This change aligns the law with the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit's decision, particularly regarding corporate ownership of residential short-term rentals.
Planning Commission to Recommend Zoning Changes to Revitalize Canal Street
The Council adopted Motion M-26-441, which directs the City Planning Commission to hold a public hearing and recommend amendments to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance based on its October 2025 Canal Street Study.
The proposed changes aim to revitalize the Canal Street corridor by setting standards for outdoor seating and public right-of-way uses; allowing temporary businesses such as cafes, shops, galleries, and mobile vendors in select areas; encouraging live entertainment venues; expanding bicycle parking; and updating signage regulations. The Commission will also explore whether certain uses should be restricted and whether Canal Street overlay districts could better support these goals.
Temporary Polling Location Established for Ward 7 Precincts 25 and 25A
The Council adopted Motion M-26-451, which establishes the Bastian Center at 1825 Mirabeau Avenue as a temporary polling location for Ward 7, Precincts 25 and 25A, replacing Beacon Light International Baptist Church at 1937 Mirabeau Avenue. This emergency temporary location will be used for the upcoming U.S. Senate General/Open U.S. Representative Primary/Open Primary election on November 3, 2026, and the Open U.S. Representative/Open General/Special Primary election on December 12, 2026.
To view the meeting agenda, click here.
To view the meeting, click here.
Contact:
Samuel Myers
Council Public Information Officer
CouncilCommunications@nola.gov
504.658.1117
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 New Orleans City Council
The New Orleans City Council is the legislative branch of the New Orleans city government. The Council considers and enacts all local laws that govern the City of New Orleans. The Council also approves the operating and capital budgets for the City, as recommended by the mayor, and continually monitors revenues and expenditures for local government operations. The City Council also serves as the regulatory body for public utilities. It also reviews and has the final say on many land-use and zoning matters, and considers major economic development projects for the City. As the Board of Review for Orleans Parish, the Council reviews appeals of property tax assessments for real estate and certifies tax rolls to the Louisiana Tax Commission. Other responsibilities of the Council include overseeing the operation of the public access television in Orleans Parish. Streaming video and video archives of the City Council's Regular and Committee meetings are available on the City Council website.
The City Council is comprised of five districts and Councilmembers-at-large: Council President and Councilmember-at-Large JP Morrell; Council Vice President and Councilmember-At-Large Matthew Willard; District "A" Councilmember Aimee McCarron; District "B" Councilmember Lesli D. Harris; District "C" Councilmember Freddie King III; District "D" Councilmember Eugene J. Green, Jr.; and District "E" Councilmember Jason Hughes.
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