Sanborn Maps are detailed maps of U.S. cities originally created for fire insurance companies to assess liability. They contain rich detail about properties, individual buildings, streets, and urban development, making them a valuable resource for property researchers.

The maps are multi-volume compilations, representing different sections of the City. Drawings are color-coded to show building materials, with a key to show additional building information and use. These maps are used to establish the existence of a structure and, when viewed over time, track changes to buildings, streets, and neighborhoods. Researchers should be aware of the Changes in Street Names and Numbering that occurred in New Orleans, which will affect locating properties on the maps. Indexing is available online for early volumes; additional indexing is available in house in the City Archives.

Below is a list of Sanborn Maps available in the City Archives. Be advised that the City was mapped incrementally, so volumes were published and updated at varying times. Many volumes were not published for multiple years. The list below represents all of the Sanborn Maps available for researchers to access in the City Archives. Digital maps are available with a valid New Orleans Public Library card through the Fire Insurance Maps Online (FIMO) and Sanborn Maps databases.