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City building permits

Metairie

How to apply for a building permit in Metairie, Louisiana. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Jefferson Parish Building Permits Department

Street address
1221 Elmwood Park Boulevard, Suite 101, Jefferson, LA 70123
Coverage
Metairie is unincorporated Jefferson Parish, not a separate municipality. Permits are issued by Jefferson Parish. Metairie-specific overlays include the Metairie Ridge Tree Protection District (MRTPD) and Old Metairie Neighborhood Conservation District (OMNCD).
Online portal
MyGovernmentOnline / MGO Connect
MyGovernmentOnline
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Metairie

Jefferson Parish permits are required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, change occupancy, and for most trade work; fences, sheds, carports, and permanently installed generators also require permits. In Metairie, work in MRTPD and OMNCD triggers additional review.

Interior painting, finish work, carpeting, tiling, and similar finish work in one- and two-family dwellings when no hazardous or complex condition exists
Non-structural paving on private property, subject to public right-of-way and overlay exceptions
Replacement windows and doors in one- and two-family dwellings when they fit existing rough openings and do not reduce opening size
Change of roof covering only and gutter work for one- and two-family dwellings
Soffit or fascia replacement only on Type V B construction
Prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep accessory to Group R Division 3 occupancy
Replacement of non-structural exterior wall covering on one- and two-family dwellings
Playhouses, swings, and similar playground equipment
Construction shacks, dumpsters, or trailers during active construction
Pile load tests and soil borings
Replacement of fence boards and stringers with no change in posts, location, height, type, or design
  • Exempt Interior painting, finish work, carpeting, tiling, and similar finish work in one- and two-family dwellings when no hazardous or complex condition exists
  • Exempt Non-structural paving on private property, subject to public right-of-way and overlay exceptions
  • Exempt Replacement windows and doors in one- and two-family dwellings when they fit existing rough openings and do not reduce opening size
  • Exempt Change of roof covering only and gutter work for one- and two-family dwellings
  • Exempt Soffit or fascia replacement only on Type V B construction
  • Exempt Prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep accessory to Group R Division 3 occupancy
  • Exempt Replacement of non-structural exterior wall covering on one- and two-family dwellings
  • Exempt Playhouses, swings, and similar playground equipment
  • Exempt Construction shacks, dumpsters, or trailers during active construction
  • Exempt Pile load tests and soil borings
  • Exempt Replacement of fence boards and stringers with no change in posts, location, height, type, or design
Required documents
  • Online or paper permit application
  • Owner, contractor, and design-professional contact information
  • Current stamped survey
  • One electronic set of stamped plans
  • Plot/foundation/floor/framing/elevation details
  • Contract or valuation support
  • Required MRTPD, OMNCD, levee, DOTD, Environmental Affairs, or Public Works approvals, as applicable
Building code
Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code, plus Jefferson Parish amendments and overlay rules.
Permit validity
Work generally must begin within 6 months of issuance.
Owner-builder
An owner may obtain a permit for his or her personal residence but must submit an Affidavit Claiming Exemption from Licensure.
Contractor requirements
State residential contractor license required for applicable work; home-improvement work between $7,500 and $75,000 requires state home-improvement registration plus a valid Jefferson Parish Home Improvement License.
§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

  1. 01
    Confirm whether the property is in MRTPD or OMNCD and whether additional tree-preservation, planning, levee, floodplain, or Public Works approvals apply.
  2. 02
    Create an MGO account or file in person with the Building Permits office.
  3. 03
    Upload or submit the permit application, current stamped survey, stamped plans, contract/valuation backup, and any required overlay or outside-agency approvals.
  4. 04
    Parish staff route the application for plan review and any required engineering, zoning, levee, or overlay review.
  5. 05
    Pay permit fees when invoiced or when the application is accepted, depending on permit type.
  6. 06
    Receive the permit, complete work, and obtain required inspections or submit geotagged re-roof photos if applicable.

Source: Jefferson Parish Building Permits Department ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Metairie building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Permit fee formula
New one- and two-family dwelling consolidated permit and trade filing fees are based on total square footage under roof. Other new construction and additions are based on dollar value per square foot under Section 8-2-104.2 or contract value. Repair and renovation fees are based on contract or fair-market value including labor and materials.

Online payments are supported through parish permitting systems.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • Jefferson Parish permitting channels and trade sections (online)

Typical sequence: Permit issuance, trade filings as needed, rough and final inspections by discipline; for re-roofing, photo review and certificate of completion.

Re-roofing permits use emailed geotagged photo documentation instead of in-person inspection for covered phases.

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Metairie permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Metairie, LA?
Jefferson Parish permits are required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, change occupancy, and for most trade work; fences, sheds, carports, and permanently installed generators also require permits. In Metairie, work in MRTPD and OMNCD triggers additional review.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Metairie, LA?
Building permit fees in Metairie, LA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: New one- and two-family dwelling consolidated permit and trade filing fees are based on total square footage under roof. Other new construction and additions are based on dollar value per square foot under Section 8-2-104.2 or contract value. Repair and renovation fees are based on contract or fair-market value including labor and materials..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Metairie, LA?
To apply for a building permit in Metairie, LA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether the property is in MRTPD or OMNCD and whether additional tree-preservation, planning, levee, floodplain, or Public Works approvals apply. 2. Create an MGO account or file in person with the Building Permits office. 3. Upload or submit the permit application, current stamped survey, stamped plans, contract/valuation backup, and any required overlay or outside-agency approvals. 4. Parish staff route the application for plan review and any required engineering, zoning, levee, or overlay review. 5. Pay permit fees when invoiced or when the application is accepted, depending on permit type. 6. Receive the permit, complete work, and obtain required inspections or submit geotagged re-roof photos if applicable.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Metairie, LA?
Not all construction work requires a permit in Metairie, LA. The following work is generally exempt: Interior painting, finish work, carpeting, tiling, and similar finish work in one- and two-family dwellings when no hazardous or complex condition exists; Non-structural paving on private property, subject to public right-of-way and overlay exceptions; Replacement windows and doors in one- and two-family dwellings when they fit existing rough openings and do not reduce opening size; Change of roof covering only and gutter work for one- and two-family dwellings; Soffit or fascia replacement only on Type V B construction; Prefabricated pools under 24 inches deep accessory to Group R Division 3 occupancy; Replacement of non-structural exterior wall covering on one- and two-family dwellings; Playhouses, swings, and similar playground equipment; Construction shacks, dumpsters, or trailers during active construction; Pile load tests and soil borings; Replacement of fence boards and stringers with no change in posts, location, height, type, or design. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Metairie, LA?
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Metairie, LA via: Jefferson Parish permitting channels and trade sections.
last verified April 2026 source Jefferson Parish Building Permits Department ↗ entry id permits/louisiana/jefferson-la/metairie

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Jefferson Parish Building Permits Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

§   Adjacent

Other jurisdictions in Jefferson Parish.

Same county, different permit office. Click for that jurisdiction's full guide.

All Jefferson Parish jurisdictions →