City Building Permits
Gretna, LA - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Gretna, Louisiana. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
City of Gretna handles permits inside city limits; planning, historic district, floodplain, and zoning reviews are integrated into city review.
- Department
- Building Department, City of Gretna
- Address
- 740 2nd Street, Gretna, LA 70053
- Phone
- 504-363-1563
Online Permit Portal
Platform: MyGovernmentOnline • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Determine zoning, historic-district status, floodplain triggers, and site-development requirements using the Planning and City Development tools.
- Create or use a MyGovernmentOnline account and start the permit application online.
- Upload stamped drawings, current survey, site plan, contract or invoice showing project cost, and any other project-specific materials.
- Obtain any needed Historic District Commission, Planning, floodplain, or other city approvals during review.
- Pay fees online or through the city cashier if the department directs you there.
- Receive the issued permit and schedule inspections through the city process.
General Requirements
A permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change a structure or regulated trade system; permits are required for fencing, storage sheds, carports, generators, and regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing work.
Required Documents
- Online application
- Stamped drawings
- Current survey
- Signed contract or invoice with estimated project cost
- Site plan with setbacks, equipment locations, parking, hardscape and greenspace calculations
- Project-specific approvals
- Building code
- Gretna Unified Development Code and the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code.
- Contractor requirements
- Hires licensed contractors; all building-trade professionals except the general contractor must be licensed to work in Gretna.
Fees
- Payment note
- Permit fees can be paid online; if the online portal cannot be used, staff should be told if payment will be made through the city cashier.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Interior painting, tiling, carpeting, and similar finish work
- Exterior painting when no protective scaffolding is required over public property
- Change of roof covering or gutter work for one- and two-family dwellings
- Soffit or fascia replacement only on Type V unprotected construction
- Prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep accessory to Group R Division 3 occupancy
- Shade-cloth structures for nursery or agricultural uses without service systems
- Residential playhouses, swings, and similar playground equipment
- Construction shacks or trailers during active construction
Inspections
How to Schedule
Typical inspection sequence: Online filing, plan review, permit issuance, discipline-specific inspections, and final approval; HDC review is required first for visible exterior work in the historic district.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Gretna Unified Development Code and the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Unified Development Code
- Build Responsibly in a Floodplain
- Historic District Commission
- License lookup guide: Louisiana Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Louisiana Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Louisiana hub: Louisiana Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Building Department, City of Gretna before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gretna Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Gretna, LA?
- A permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change a structure or regulated trade system; permits are required for fencing, storage sheds, carports, generators, and regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing work.
- How do I apply for a building permit in Gretna, LA?
- 1. Determine zoning, historic-district status, floodplain triggers, and site-development requirements using the Planning and City Development tools. 2. Create or use a MyGovernmentOnline account and start the permit application online. 3. Upload stamped drawings, current survey, site plan, contract or invoice showing project cost, and any other project-specific materials. 4. Obtain any needed Historic District Commission, Planning, floodplain, or other city approvals during review. 5. Pay fees online or through the city cashier if the department directs you there. 6. Receive the issued permit and schedule inspections through the city process.
- What work is exempt from building permits in Gretna, LA?
- The following work is generally exempt: Interior painting, tiling, carpeting, and similar finish work; Exterior painting when no protective scaffolding is required over public property; Change of roof covering or gutter work for one- and two-family dwellings; Soffit or fascia replacement only on Type V unprotected construction; Prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep accessory to Group R Division 3 occupancy; Shade-cloth structures for nursery or agricultural uses without service systems; Residential playhouses, swings, and similar playground equipment; Construction shacks or trailers during active construction.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Gretna, LA?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Online permitting and inspection process managed by the Building Department.
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