On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Lafourche Parish
The parish permit office handles home and business permitting for parish-jurisdiction properties, including building, trade, floodplain, address, fence, and demolition permits.
Fence repairs such as replacing individual pickets, replacing posts, or painting/staining a fence do not require permits
- 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.
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Verify the site address with parish 911 addressing before filing.
- 02 Determine whether the project is a permit, planning, subdivision, floodplain, or address issue by using the parish permits and planning pages.
- 03 Download the matching permit checklist and application, then gather the listed plans, ownership proof, parcel information, utility proof, contractor-license information, and flood documents.
- 04 Submit online through MyPermitsNow or in person at the parish permit office.
- 05 Complete inspections and staged elevation submissions where required, and secure final approval before occupancy.
Source: Permits and Planning Department, Lafourche Parish Government ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Lafourche Parish building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$150.00 for residential construction; $100.00 for residential trade permits; $50.00 for fences; $200.00 for demolition
02
Plan check fee
Fence permit fee expressly includes plan review and final inspection; no separate parish-wide plan-check fee was posted
03
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.
Permit office accepts check, money order, or credit card for at least residential trade permits.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 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.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Lafourche Parish permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Lafourche Parish, LA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Lafourche Parish, LA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lafourche Parish, LA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lafourche Parish, LA, follow these steps: 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.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Lafourche Parish, LA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Lafourche Parish, LA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Lafourche Parish, LA 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.
last verified April 2026
source Permits and Planning Department, Lafourche Parish Government ↗
entry id permits/louisiana/lafourche/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Permits and Planning Department, Lafourche Parish Government before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.