City Building Permits
Thibodaux, LA - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Applies within the City of Thibodaux city limits.
- Department
- Department of Public Works, Building and Inspection Permits, City of Thibodaux
- Address
- 1219 Henry S. Thibodeaux Street, Thibodaux, LA 70301; mailing: P.O. Box 5418, Thibodaux, LA 70302
- Phone
- (985) 446-7223 (main); (985) 446-7208 (inspections); (985) 446-7216 (gas inspections)
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Packet-Based • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Determine permit type from the Building and Inspection Permits page and download the matching packet, fee sheet, code sheet, and plan requirements.
- Complete the permit application and assemble plan review materials. For new construction, the city requires two complete plan sets, two plot plans, and separate plumbing, electrical, gas, and mechanical layouts as applicable.
- Provide supporting items before issuance, including debris disposal proof and toilet facilities for workers for new construction.
- Submit to the Building Official / Inspection Department for plan review and permit issuance.
- Post the permit card on site, call inspections at the required stages, complete final inspection, and obtain certificate of occupancy before move-in.
Source: Department of Public Works, Building and Inspection Permits, City of Thibodaux
General Requirements
Required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy of a building or structure, and for regulated electrical, gas, plumbing, and mechanical work.
Required Documents
- Application
- Plan sets (two complete sets for new construction)
- Plot plans (two for new construction)
- Trade layouts (plumbing, electrical, gas, mechanical as applicable)
- Debris disposal proof
- Toilet facility proof
- Zoning compliance documents
- Site plan
- Flood-related materials
- Permit validity
- Demolition work must start within 30 days and be completed within 180 days.
- Building code
- 2021 IRC, 2021 IBC, 2021 IEBC, 2020 NEC, 2021 IPC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 IMC, plus 2018 Entergy Customer Installation Standards and ADA standards.
- Owner-builder
- Homeowners may perform their own electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work if knowledgeable of the code; if their work shows they do not know the code, the city can require a city-registered trade contractor.
- Contractor requirements
- Trade work in city limits must be performed by city-registered contractors. Registration packets require the applicable state license, and in some trades a bond and liability insurance.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $40.00 for commercial and residential building permits
- Permit fee formula
- Valuation-based for building permits. Residential is $2.50 per $1,000 up to $100,000, then stepped tiers; commercial is $3.00 per $1,000 up to $100,000, then stepped tiers.
- Reinspection fee
- $50.00; missed inspection penalty $100.00 plus hold harmless filing requirement; double fees apply for work performed without permit issuance.
- Penalty (no permit)
- Double fees apply for work performed without permit issuance.
- Payment note
- All fees must be paid by check, money order, or Visa/Mastercard prior to permit issuance.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work
- Repair or replacement of soffit or fascia board and vinyl or aluminum siding
- Fence repair not exceeding 25 linear feet
- Fences less than 30 inches high from natural grade
- Wood decks not more than 30 inches above grade, with no roof and not over 400 square feet
- Replacing residential driveways with no change in location or profile
Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Building and Inspection Department before proceeding.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (985) 446-7208 (building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing) (phone)
- (985) 446-7216 (gas inspections) (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Requests before 10:00 AM are normally performed the same day; allow up to 48 hours.
- Inspection hours
- Normal business hours
Typical inspection sequence: Building at foundation, framing, completion; electrical at foundation, rough-in, completion; mechanical at rough-in, completion; plumbing at foundation, rough-in, completion; gas at rough-in, completion.
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2021 IRC, 2021 IBC, 2021 IEBC, 2020 NEC, 2021 IPC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 IMC, plus 2018 Entergy Customer Installation Standards and ADA standards.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Permit Packets and Forms Hub
- Building Permit Fee Rates
- 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 Department of Public Works, Building and Inspection Permits, City of Thibodaux before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Thibodaux Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Thibodaux, LA?
- Required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy of a building or structure, and for regulated electrical, gas, plumbing, and mechanical work.
- How much does a building permit cost in Thibodaux, LA?
- The minimum permit fee is $40.00 for commercial and residential building permits. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based for building permits. Residential is $2.50 per $1,000 up to $100,000, then stepped tiers; commercial is $3.00 per $1,000 up to $100,000, then stepped tiers..
- How do I apply for a building permit in Thibodaux, LA?
- 1. Determine permit type from the Building and Inspection Permits page and download the matching packet, fee sheet, code sheet, and plan requirements. 2. Complete the permit application and assemble plan review materials. For new construction, the city requires two complete plan sets, two plot plans, and separate plumbing, electrical, gas, and mechanical layouts as applicable. 3. Provide supporting items before issuance, including debris disposal proof and toilet facilities for workers for new construction. 4. Submit to the Building Official / Inspection Department for plan review and permit issuance. 5. Post the permit card on site, call inspections at the required stages, complete final inspection, and obtain certificate of occupancy before move-in.
- What work is exempt from building permits in Thibodaux, LA?
- The following work is generally exempt: Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work; Repair or replacement of soffit or fascia board and vinyl or aluminum siding; Fence repair not exceeding 25 linear feet; Fences less than 30 inches high from natural grade; Wood decks not more than 30 inches above grade, with no roof and not over 400 square feet; Replacing residential driveways with no change in location or profile. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Building and Inspection Department before proceeding.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Thibodaux, LA?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (985) 446-7208 (building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing), (985) 446-7216 (gas inspections). Requests before 10:00 AM are normally performed the same day; allow up to 48 hours..
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