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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Bossier City
Building permits are required for residential or commercial work, including new construction, additions, and alterations or repairs. Permits are required for any residential or commercial work except flooring and painting. Trade permits are separately required for regulated electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work.
Flooring
Painting
Plumbing repairs involving only the working parts of a faucet or valve, clearing stoppages, repairing leaks, or replacing defective faucets or valves when no piping changes are made
- Exempt Flooring
- Exempt Painting
- Exempt Plumbing repairs involving only the working parts of a faucet or valve, clearing stoppages, repairing leaks, or replacing defective faucets or valves when no piping changes are made
Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm with the Permits and Inspections Division before proceeding.
Required documents
- Permit application
- Plans
- Site plan
- Designer information
- Residential energy check
- Post-tension foundation information where applicable
- General liability insurance
- State contractor license
- Homeowner affidavit where owner-builder exemption is used
- Department of Health approval for food establishments
- Flood elevation documentation when applicable
- Building code
- Bossier City Ordinance Book Chapter 18; 2021 IBC, 2021 IEBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 Life Safety Code 101, NFPA standards, 2020 NEC, 2021 IPC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, and 2021 IECC
- Owner-builder
- A residential owner may pull the permit for a house by signing and notarizing the homeowner affidavit and serving as the builder, maintaining the house as a personal residence for at least one year. Homeowners may apply for permits for their own residence if they have lived there for 12 months when work exceeds $7,500.
- Contractor requirements
- Commercial contractors directed to Louisiana State Licensing Board. New residential builders must submit state contractor license copy. Residential work over $7,500 requires home improvement contractor registration unless qualifying owner exemption applies. Trade contractors must hold current city registrations.
Source: Permits and Inspections Division, City of Bossier City ↗
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm whether MPC zoning or certificate approvals are needed before permit submission.
- 02 Create an EnerGov Self Service account or use the city paper application packet.
- 03 Submit the building permit application with plans and supporting documents. Commercial work requires one full plan set covering architectural, structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and landscaping work. New residential work requires one full plan set, a site plan, post-tension foundation information, residential energy compliance check, general liability insurance, and a copy of the state contractor license.
- 04 Provide any special approvals that apply, such as a Department of Health letter for food establishments or a finish-floor elevation certificate for new construction in a special flood hazard area.
- 05 City staff review the plans for compliance and notify the applicant when approval is ready.
- 06 Pay remaining fees. The permit is issued after payment, and work may then begin.
Source: Permits and Inspections Division, City of Bossier City ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Bossier City building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$50.00 for work with construction cost under $2,000.00
02
Plan check fee
MPC and other review fees listed separately; single public building plan-check formula not clearly posted
03
Permit fee formula
Commercial building permit fees based on actual contract price. Residential additions, repairs, and alterations based on actual contract price. For work over $2,000.00: $5.00 per $1,000.00 or fraction thereof. New residential homes: $350.00 plus $0.15 per square foot under roof, including habitable rooms on additional floors.
The city has a permit payment portal. As of January 1, 2022, third-party fees apply to credit card transactions.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- EnerGov Self Service portal (online)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Source: Permits and Inspections Division, City of Bossier City ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Bossier City permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Bossier City, LA? ▸
Building permits are required for residential or commercial work, including new construction, additions, and alterations or repairs. Permits are required for any residential or commercial work except flooring and painting. Trade permits are separately required for regulated electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Bossier City, LA? ▸
Building permit fees in Bossier City, LA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $50.00 for work with construction cost under $2,000.00. Fees are calculated as: Commercial building permit fees based on actual contract price. Residential additions, repairs, and alterations based on actual contract price. For work over $2,000.00: $5.00 per $1,000.00 or fraction thereof. New residential homes: $350.00 plus $0.15 per square foot under roof, including habitable rooms on additional floors.. Plan check fee: MPC and other review fees listed separately; single public building plan-check formula not clearly posted.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Bossier City, LA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Bossier City, LA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether MPC zoning or certificate approvals are needed before permit submission. 2. Create an EnerGov Self Service account or use the city paper application packet. 3. Submit the building permit application with plans and supporting documents. Commercial work requires one full plan set covering architectural, structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and landscaping work. New residential work requires one full plan set, a site plan, post-tension foundation information, residential energy compliance check, general liability insurance, and a copy of the state contractor license. 4. Provide any special approvals that apply, such as a Department of Health letter for food establishments or a finish-floor elevation certificate for new construction in a special flood hazard area. 5. City staff review the plans for compliance and notify the applicant when approval is ready. 6. Pay remaining fees. The permit is issued after payment, and work may then begin.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Bossier City, LA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Bossier City, LA. The following work is generally exempt: Flooring; Painting; Plumbing repairs involving only the working parts of a faucet or valve, clearing stoppages, repairing leaks, or replacing defective faucets or valves when no piping changes are made. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm with the Permits and Inspections Division before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Bossier City, LA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Bossier City, LA via: EnerGov Self Service portal.
last verified April 2026
source Permits and Inspections Division, City of Bossier City ↗
entry id permits/louisiana/bossier/bossier-city
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Permits and Inspections Division, City of Bossier City before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.