Along the Route - NOLA Ready

Set up no earlier than four hours before a parade.

For your safety and the safety of fellow parade goers, please be courteous and follow these regulations, which are governed by City code.

Personal items must not be placed on the public right-of-way earlier than four hours before the start of a parade and must not block intersections.

All ladders, chairs, ice chests, and other personal items placed on the public right-of-way, including the neutral ground, four hours or more prior to the start of a parade, may be removed by the City.

Structures

All erected structures, including viewing stands and bleachers, must have a permit.
Shade tents that are 10’x10’ or smaller do not require a permit.

Tents

Only shade tents are allowed. No fully enclosed tents or tents with side panels are allowed.
Place tents at least six feet back from the street curb.
Do not place tents on the neutral ground.
Do not cook under or within 10 feet of a tent.
Do not leave tents on the neutral ground or along curbs and sidewalks overnight. Anything left will be disposed of.

Grills

Place grills at least six feet back from the street curb.
Do not put hot coals in public litter cans or on the neutral ground. They are a fire hazard.
Do not leave grills on the neutral ground or along curbs and sidewalks overnight. Anything left will be disposed of.

Ladders

All ladders must be structurally sound.
Place ladders at least six feet back from the street curb.
Do not fasten ladders together.
Do not leave ladders on the neutral ground or along curbs and sidewalks overnight. Anything left will be disposed of.

Fencing/Placement

Do not rope, spray paint, or other similar items to section off areas of the neutral ground, public sidewalks, or other public property. It is prohibited by law.
Do not place personal items (ladders, chairs, ice chests, chaise lounges, barbecue grills, and other similar personal effects) in intersections or between curbs of public streets either prior to the parade or during the parade itself.

Portable Restroom

Portable restrooms are allowed on private property. However, if you plan to charge a use fee, you need a permit.
Do not place private portable restrooms on neutral grounds, public sidewalks, or other public property.
Portable restrooms placed on public property require written consent from the Department of Safety & Permits.
Portable restrooms on flat beds in parking spots are considered abandoned property that can pose a security risk and will be towed at the owners’ expense.

Leave these prohibited items at home.

Drones

The Federal Aviation Administration recommends that drones never be flown over groups of people, public events, or stadiums full of people. Learn more about drone safety and regulations from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Weapons

Please leave firearms and other weapons at home.

Prohibited Throws

Krewe members are prohibited from throwing boxes, non-biodegradable paper streamers, and empty, single-use plastic bags for bulk items from floats.

Help keep New Orleans beautiful and limit the environmental impact of Carnival.

In 2023, 1,162 tons of Mardi Gras trash (that's nearly 2.5 million pounds) were transported to the landfill in just 11 days. Again this year, "gutter buddies" -- barriers that block solid objects from entering drains -- will be installed along the full length of each parade route. You can also do your part to keep trash off of the streets, out of the drainage system, and away from the landfill.

Clean up your area and remove tarp stakes before you leave.

Clean up your area before you leave, deposit trash in public receptacles, or bag, secure, and leave your trash on the curb for clean up crews to remove. Stakes are often left behind and damage mowing equipment. Stay away from heavy equipment used to clean up after parades and don't attempt to drive past clean up crews.

Recycle along the route.

The City of New Orleans is partnering with New Orleans & Company, Grounds Krewe, and several local organizations to make Mardi Gras more sustainable.

Recycling hubs will be open along the Uptown parade route between Napoleon Ave & Prytania St. and Harmony Circle & St. Charles Ave during the day parades on February 3rd, 4th, 10th, & 11th.

Learn More

Donate unwanted items after the parades are over.

The City’s Department of Sanitation collects beads at its Recycling Drop Off Center held on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 2829 Elysian Fields Avenue.

For over 30 years, ArcGNO  has created wage-earning jobs for individuals with intellectual disabilities by collecting, sorting, and repackaging Mardi Gras throws. ArcGNO accepts donations of beads, trinkets, and stuffed animals year round. Here is a list of ArcGNO drop-off sites:

Orleans Parish

ArcGNO Uptown Community Center

1771 Nashville Ave.

NEW ORLEANS PUBLIC LIBRARY LOCATIONS

All 14 New Orleans Public Library locations will be bead recycling sites for ArcGNO between Monday, January 29 until Friday, March 1 during normal operating hours.

Find the nearest NOLA Library location HERE.

New Orleans Sanitation Department*

2829 Elysian Fields Ave

(Drop-off available only on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month, 8am - 1pm)

Jefferson Parish

ArcGNO Metairie Community Center

925 Labarre Rd., Metairie

Jefferson Parish Sanitation Department

400 David Dr., Metairie

Jefferson Parish Sanitation (Westbank)

6440 Lapalco Blvd., Marrero

Other Parishes

ARCGNO Chalmette Community Center

3700 Jean Lafitte Pkwy., Chalmette

ArcGNO Northshore Community Center

106 E. 25th Ave., Covington