Charles Friedrich Zimpel (December 11, 1801 - June 26, 1879) was a German architect who designed buildings in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. from 1830 to 1837; and later, in 1864, the plan for the Jaffa to Jerusalem railway line.

Zimpel probably came to New Orleans as the surveyor and engineer for the course of the New Orleans and Carrollton Railroad (now the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line); also spent the years 1831–1832 compiling surveys for the production of the map Topographical Map of New Orleans and Its Vicinity..., which he had engraved in Prussia, probably his native country.

The map includes the first survey of the town of Carrollton (now the upper limits of New Orleans) done by Zimpel.

He also remodeled the Charity Hospital building as the State House.

By 1864, he was in Constantinople, where as Ingénieur en chef he drew up plans for the proposed Jaffa to Jerusalem railway line.