New Construction Guidelines

Download this is information as a PDF.

The program is designed to promote quality home construction that complements and celebrates the architectural vernacular of New Orleans. Consistent with this goal The Finance Authority issues these Minimum Building Guidelines to help developers and contractors produce newly constructed homes with the level of quality and aesthetic beauty needed to make this program a success in Orleans Parish.

The Finance Authority reserves the right to disqualify a newly constructed home, including modular or panelized construction, as an eligible property for purchase by an eligible first-time homebuyer, if the property does not meet or exceed these Minimum Building Guidelines.

Standard 1: Foundations and Finished Slabs
All foundations shall be designed by a licensed engineer or architect consistent with the international residential code (irc) 2006 and approved by the dept. Of safety & permits.

Standard 2: Roof and Gutters
Consistent with the international residential code (irc) 2006, all roofs shall be designed by a licensed engineer or architect and approved by safety & permits;
Roof shall be designed & built with consideration to prevailing new orleans architecture and existing residential structures in the immediate neighborhood. The term “immediate neighborhood” shall mean within one linear block on each side of the newly constructed home.

Roof pitch shall match that of existing adjacent homes

All roof systems shall be installed as per the manufacturers’ recommendations.
Metal roofing shall be minimum 24 gauge seamless material.
Slate/Composite Slate are acceptable when installed per manufacturers’ recommendations.
All finish roof material shall carry minimum 30 year manufacturer warranty.

Standard 3: Porch and Railings
Porch shall be designed and built with consideration to the prevailing architectural style in the immediate neighborhood.

all porch decking shall be minimum ¾ thick treated or 1-1/2” composite wood. No plywood shall be used.

Standard 4: Exterior Wall Treatments
SIDING:

Preferred siding shall be brick, stucco, hardi-plank, fiber cement board or vinyl siding.

TRIMWORK:

2”X4” trim corners at each side of exterior corners.
Exterior finish wood – treated yellow pine grade “C” or better, redwood, cypress or cedar.
Soffits –3/8” Grade “A/C” or “B/C” plywood or Hardi-soffit (vented properly).
Vinyl soffits are acceptable.

Standard 5: Thermal and Moisture Protection
All insulation shall be designed by a licensed engineer or architect consistent with the international residential code (irc) 2006 and approved by the dept. Of safety & permits.

Standard 6: Mechanical
All mechanical systems shall be inspected and approved by safety & permits.
HVAC:

Design of the HVAC system shall be in compliance with all city, parish, state and federal codes, regulations and requirements.

PLUMBING:

Design of the PLUMBING system shall be in compliance with all city, parish, state and federal codes, regulations and requirements.
All water lines entering the residence must be copper or pex.
Clean-outs, access panels and other accessories necessary for maintenance of the plumbing system should be accessible without removal of built improvements.
New sanitary waste line to City sewer connection at street using ABS or PVC piping.
Indoor washer/dryer hookups shall be located in enclosable space (closet or utility room) separate from living areas.
A minimum of two exterior hose bibbs.

ELECTRICAL:

Design of the ELECTRICAL system shall be in compliance with National Electric Code (NEC) as well as all other city, parish, state and federal codes, regulations and requirements.
All phone wiring to CAT 5 in each room.
Provide coaxial wiring for cable to television locations.
Provide alarm system with minimum one key pad and motion sensor and all exterior doors and windows to have sensors.

Standard 7: Paint

Exterior paint shall include a fungicide to retard mold and mildew.
All exterior millwork and trim shall be primed 1 coat and painted 2 topcoats (including handrails).

Standard 8: Design Criteria
The pre-existing fabric of New Orleans consists of many different styles of old buildings and new. Successful buildings typically are consistent in many ways with the New Orleans architectural vernacular. High Ceilings, large openings, and old fashioned siding, are only a few of the attributes that encourage homebuyers to invest in old buildings. In order for the value of new construction to appreciate at the same rate as neighboring properties, many of the attributes of the new construction must conform to that of the predominant attributes in the same neighborhood-and more often than not, the same block.

Consider the bullets below

MINIMUM ROOM REQUIREMENTS:

BEDROOMS: Minimum quantity is 3 bedrooms with closets.

Master bedroom shall not have less than 12 feet in width or length not including closet space.
Secondary bedrooms 10’ X 12’ not including closet space.
CLOSETS: 2’ X 4’ minimum per secondary bedroom, master bedroom shall have minimum 16 square feet closet floor space for standard closets and 24 square feet for walk-in closets.

BATHROOMS: Minimum quantity is 2 full bathrooms.

5’ X 8’ minimum dimension per full bath.
Each full bath shall have both tub and shower facilities.

LIVING ROOM/DINING ROOM
KITCHEN:

Minimum 28 sq. ft. of usable counter space.
Minimum 72 cu. ft. of usable cabinet space.
At least 2 cabinet drawers with a minimum width of 12 inches.
All cabinets shall comply with ANSI A161.1-86, Recommended Minimum Construction and Performance for kitchen and Vanity Cabinets-or equivalent standard. All cabinets shall bear the label/name of the manufacturer and indicate compliance with the applicable standard.

MINIMUM UNIT SIZE:

Recommended net conditioned area for single family 3 bedroom unit not less than 1340 sq. ft. and total area not less than 1480 sq. ft.

PROPORTIONS AND SCALE:

Proportions and scale of new construction for infill lots should be sensitive to the dominate proportion and scale of neighboring (same block) pre-World War II buildings.
In undeveloped areas and areas that have mostly new construction, proportions and scale of new construction should be consistent with vernacular New Orleans Architecture.

SET-BACKS: Set backs for new construction should match closely as possible the setbacks of neighboring buildings (same block) predating the 1950’s. In areas where there are mostly “0”-lot lines, new construction should have the same. (I.E. Front Yard Averaging)
LOCATION ON LOT: Building program should be positioned on lot in a way that allows for a generous secured green space.
CEILING/ROOF PITCHES/HEIGHTS: Ceiling heights and roof pitches/heights should match closely as possible the heights and pitches of the neighboring (same block) pre-World War II buildings. Ceilings less than 9’ will not be accepted.
DOOR AND WINDOW SIZES: Doors and Windows visible in street elevations should match closely as possible the setbacks of neighboring (same block) pre-World War II buildings.

MATERIALS:

Material usage in new construction for infill lots should be sensitive to the dominate usage of materials in pre-World War II buildings.
In undeveloped areas and areas that have mostly new construction, material usage in new construction should be consistent with vernacular New Orleans Architecture.

BUILDING GREEN: (What goes into a green home?)

Green homes incorporate environmental considerations and resource efficiency into every step of the building and development process to minimize environmental impact.
The design, construction, and operation of a home must focus on energy and water efficiency, resource efficient building design and materials, indoor environmental quality, and must take the homes overall impact on the environment into account. Guidelines for building green can be located @ www.nahbgreen.org (National Association of Home Builders)
Minimum Recommended Rating: Silver Rating by Crescent City Green Building Council's NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines. See www.nahbgreen.org for rating tool.

Download this is information as a PDF.