Lafourche Parish, LA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies in unincorporated Lafourche Parish. The parish planning page states it assists landowners and developers in the unincorporated areas, including subdivisions, family subdivisions, redivisions, mobile home parks, and RV parks.

Department

Permits and Planning Department, Lafourche Parish Government

Address

4876 LA-1, Raceland, LA 70394; mailing: P.O. Box 425, Mathews, LA 70375

Phone

(985) 537-7603

Email

ogwynnmb@lafourchegov.org (for 911 address verification)

Website

https://www.lafourchegov.org/permits/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Verify the site address with parish 911 addressing before filing.
2. Determine whether the project is a permit, planning, subdivision, floodplain, or address issue by using the parish permits and planning pages.
3. Download the matching permit checklist and application, then gather the listed plans, ownership proof, parcel information, utility proof, contractor-license information, and flood documents.
4. Submit online through MyPermitsNow or in person at the parish permit office.
5. Complete inspections and staged elevation submissions where required, and secure final approval before occupancy.

Source: Permits and Planning Department, Lafourche Parish Government

General Requirements

The parish permit office handles home and business permitting for parish-jurisdiction properties, including building, trade, floodplain, address, fence, and demolition permits.

Required Documents

• 911 addressing form
• Permit application
• Site plan
• Recorded land verification
• Assessor parcel number
• Plans
• Contractor license or owner-builder affidavit
• Subcontractor-supplier list
• Utility bill if applicable
• Flood-zone determination and elevation certificates as applicable

Permit validity

Fence permits expire 1 year from issue date. Public sources reviewed did not post one universal expiration rule for every parish permit type.

Building code

Effective January 1, 2023: 2021 IRC, 2021 IBC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IEBC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 IPC, and 2020 NEC under the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code structure.

Owner-builder

The parish uses the Louisiana Affidavit Claiming Exemption from Licensure and the owner-builder restrictions described in that state form.

Contractor requirements

Contractor license copies are required where applicable, and state residential specialty licensing thresholds are noted in the parish effective-codes notice.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$150.00 for residential construction; $100.00 for residential trade permits; $50.00 for fences; $200.00 for demolition

Plan check fee

Fence permit fee expressly includes plan review and final inspection; no separate parish-wide plan-check fee was posted

Permit fee formula

Residential construction uses $0.30 per square foot with a $150.00 minimum. Several other permit types in the posted checklist set are flat-fee.

Payment note

Permit office accepts check, money order, or credit card for at least residential trade permits.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Fence repairs such as replacing individual pickets, replacing posts, or painting/staining a fence do not require permits

Important: No consolidated parish exempt-work list was publicly posted. Contact the permit office for confirmation on other potential exempt work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (985) 537-7603 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Trade disconnect inspections must be coordinated the day before disconnect; fence owners must notify the parish for final inspection upon completion

Inspection hours

Monday to Thursday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Typical inspection sequence: For residential construction, staged elevation submissions are required before foundation inspection and before occupancy. Trade and fence permits have project-specific coordination and final inspection steps.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Effective January 1, 2023: 2021 IRC, 2021 IBC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IEBC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 IPC, and 2020 NEC under the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code structure.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Effective Building Codes
• Planning Resources and GIS
• Permit Application PDF
• License lookup guide: Louisiana Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Louisiana Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Louisiana hub: Louisiana Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Lafourche Parish Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Lafourche Parish, LA?

The parish permit office handles home and business permitting for parish-jurisdiction properties, including building, trade, floodplain, address, fence, and demolition permits.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Lafourche Parish, LA?

The minimum permit fee is $150.00 for residential construction; $100.00 for residential trade permits; $50.00 for fences; $200.00 for demolition. Fees are calculated as: Residential construction uses $0.30 per square foot with a $150.00 minimum. Several other permit types in the posted checklist set are flat-fee.. Plan check fee: Fence permit fee expressly includes plan review and final inspection; no separate parish-wide plan-check fee was posted.

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lafourche Parish, LA?

1. Verify the site address with parish 911 addressing before filing. 2. Determine whether the project is a permit, planning, subdivision, floodplain, or address issue by using the parish permits and planning pages. 3. Download the matching permit checklist and application, then gather the listed plans, ownership proof, parcel information, utility proof, contractor-license information, and flood documents. 4. Submit online through MyPermitsNow or in person at the parish permit office. 5. Complete inspections and staged elevation submissions where required, and secure final approval before occupancy.

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Lafourche Parish, LA?

The following work is generally exempt: Fence repairs such as replacing individual pickets, replacing posts, or painting/staining a fence do not require permits. Note: No consolidated parish exempt-work list was publicly posted. Contact the permit office for confirmation on other potential exempt work.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Lafourche Parish, LA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: (985) 537-7603. Trade disconnect inspections must be coordinated the day before disconnect; fence owners must notify the parish for final inspection upon completion.