Council disapproves proposed Safety & Permits rules for temporary alcohol permits, pledges oversight
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Summary
The New Orleans City Council voted to disapprove proposed rules from the Department of Safety & Permits governing temporary alcoholic beverage outlet permits, citing lack of stakeholder engagement and nontransparent, punitive processes; sponsors said they will seek stronger oversight and collaboration with the mayor's office and legal counsel.
The New Orleans City Council voted unanimously to disapprove proposed regulations from the Department of Safety & Permits governing temporary alcoholic beverage outlet permits, saying the rules were drafted without adequate stakeholder input and would undermine businesses that rely on timely permitting.
Council member Morrell moved to disapprove the regulations, saying the department “has done everything possible to not be transparent, not work with the stakeholders, and submit punitive rules and processes that make it unworkable.” The motion was seconded by Councilman Verhuz and the council recorded six yeas and no nays.
Sponsor remarks framed the vote as a corrective step: the council said it will pursue additional oversight of the department’s rulemaking and work with legal counsel and the mayor’s office to craft a more rigorous process that both honors the city code and functions for businesses and event organizers.
The disapproval echoes earlier complaints raised in public comment from business owners and residents that obtaining permits has been slow and opaque, preventing timely openings and events. The clerk’s agenda entry identifies the item as resolution r26-69, disapproving the department’s proposed implementation rules for temporary alcoholic beverage outlet permits.
Next steps described by sponsors included coordinating with stakeholders and the mayor’s office to create explicit oversight mechanisms for department rule promulgation; no specific timetable was given during the meeting.