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When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for St. James Parish
A permit is required for new home construction, movement of a new mobile home within the parish, new building construction, commercial construction or renovation, floodplain development, and related development such as culvert installations.
Note: A published exempt-work list was not found on the parish pages reviewed.
- Proof of ownership
- LaDHH approval where required
- Plans for SCP&D submittal
- Engineered site plan
- Levee board letter where required
- Elevation certificate where required
- Proof of ownership or notarized owner letter (commercial projects)
- State Fire Marshal approval where required
- Contractor registration and/or state license information for some permits
- Electrical diagram, site plan, utility information, and servitude documents when project-specific
- Building code
- Based on the International Building Code (IBC) framework.
- Contractor requirements
- Parish packets require contractor registration and state license information for some permit types. State contractor licensing is governed by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors.
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Determine whether the work requires a permit (required before new home construction, movement of a new mobile home, new building construction, commercial construction or renovation, or floodplain development).
- 02 Gather the applicable parish application packet and supporting documents.
- 03 For residential projects, submit proof of ownership, LaDHH approval where required, SCP&D plans, engineered site plan, levee board letter if required, and elevation certificate if required.
- 04 For commercial projects, submit proof of ownership or notarized owner letter, LaDHH approval, State Fire Marshal approval, SCP&D plans for plan review, levee board letter if required, and elevation certificate if required.
- 05 Submit the application in person, by pickup/drop-off at the office, or online through MyGovernmentOnline.
- 06 Pay all permit fees when plans are submitted.
- 07 Obtain required levee, floodplain, fire marshal, and/or health approvals where applicable.
- 08 Receive permit approval and proceed with construction only after permit issuance.
Source: Planning and Permitting Office, Department of Operations ↗
Fee schedule
St. James Parish building permit fees
Permit fees are required at plans submission; permits state that permit fees are non-refundable.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
- Planning and Permitting office staff and field inspection staff (in-person)
- Parish permit/contact phone (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Thursday 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM; Friday 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM (citizen service center hours).
Typical sequence: Submit application and plans, pay fees, obtain required levee/floodplain/fire marshal/health approvals, then receive permit approval; under construction and completion steps include required certificates or releases where applicable.
Source: Planning and Permitting Office, Department of Operations ↗
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated St. James Parish permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated St. James Parish, LA? ▸
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated St. James Parish, LA? ▸
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated St. James Parish, LA? ▸
04 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated St. James Parish, LA? ▸
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Planning and Permitting Office, Department of Operations before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.