City Building Permits

Lafayette, LA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Louisiana Lafayette Parish Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Lafayette Consolidated Government handles permitting within the City of Lafayette and also parish-side permitting functions; fire inspection permits within the city are coordinated separately as part of the LCG development team.

Department
Lafayette Consolidated Government Community Development and Planning, Permitting and Codes
Address
220 West Willow Street, Building B, Lafayette, LA 70501
Phone
(337) 291-8461

Online Permit Portal

Platform: MyGovernmentOnline • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

  1. Create an MGO Connect customer account, or contact Permitting and Codes for in-person filing assistance.
  2. Start the permit application in MGO and select the applicable permit type.
  3. Upload plans and supporting documents, including any floodplain, drainage, utility, fire, or zoning-related materials required for the project.
  4. LCG routes the application for review by the relevant development team disciplines.
  5. Pay permit fees through the process once invoiced or prompted by the system.
  6. Print the issued permit from MGO, perform the work, and request inspections through the portal.

Source: Lafayette Consolidated Government Community Development and Planning, Permitting and Codes

General Requirements

A permit is required for residential and commercial new construction, renovation, addition, demolition, signs, house moving, floodplain development, mobile homes, and trade work including electrical, plumbing, and mechanical.

Required Documents

  • Application information
  • Plans
  • Uploaded project documents
  • Discipline-specific supporting materials required by LCG reviewers
Building code
Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code, administered locally by LCG Permitting and Codes.
Contractor requirements
LCG publishes local contractor registration fees for air conditioning, electrical, gas fitter, plumbing, pool, and irrigation. Louisiana State Licensing Board requirements still apply where triggered.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
Residential minimum $35.00; Commercial minimum $100.00
Plan check fee
Residential plan review $50.00; commercial plan review $10.00 per sheet with a $100.00 minimum.
Permit fee formula
Residential permits: $3.50 per $1,000 fair market value with $35.00 minimum. Commercial permits: $5.00 per $1,000 fair market value with $100.00 minimum.
Reinspection fee
Building reinspection $50.00; extra or partial inspection $25.00; overtime inspection $50.00 per hour.
Penalty (no permit)
No-permit fee is double fee.
Payment note
MGO confirms online payment capability. Public fee schedule does not post separate card-processing rules.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Lafayette Consolidated Government Community Development and Planning, Permitting and Codes to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Typical inspection sequence: Permit issuance, phased inspections by applicable discipline, and final approval.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Lafayette Consolidated Government Community Development and Planning, Permitting and Codes before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lafayette Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Lafayette, LA?
A permit is required for residential and commercial new construction, renovation, addition, demolition, signs, house moving, floodplain development, mobile homes, and trade work including electrical, plumbing, and mechanical.
How much does a building permit cost in Lafayette, LA?
The minimum permit fee is Residential minimum $35.00; Commercial minimum $100.00. Fees are calculated as: Residential permits: $3.50 per $1,000 fair market value with $35.00 minimum. Commercial permits: $5.00 per $1,000 fair market value with $100.00 minimum.. Plan check fee: Residential plan review $50.00; commercial plan review $10.00 per sheet with a $100.00 minimum..
How do I apply for a building permit in Lafayette, LA?
1. Create an MGO Connect customer account, or contact Permitting and Codes for in-person filing assistance. 2. Start the permit application in MGO and select the applicable permit type. 3. Upload plans and supporting documents, including any floodplain, drainage, utility, fire, or zoning-related materials required for the project. 4. LCG routes the application for review by the relevant development team disciplines. 5. Pay permit fees through the process once invoiced or prompted by the system. 6. Print the issued permit from MGO, perform the work, and request inspections through the portal.
How do I schedule a building inspection in Lafayette, LA?
Inspections can be scheduled via: MGO Connect.

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Lafayette can be complicated.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

Other cities in Lafayette Parish

View all Lafayette Parish jurisdictions →