City Building Permits
Opelousas, LA - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Opelousas, Louisiana. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Applies within the corporate limits of the City of Opelousas.
- Department
- City of Opelousas Code Enforcement Office / Permits, Licenses & Inspections
- Address
- 105 North Main Street, Opelousas, LA 70571-0712
- Phone
- (337) 948-2533
Online Permit Portal
Platform: MGO Connect / MyGovernmentOnline • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Determine the permit type from the city permit page. An Application for Permit is required for electrical tags, new construction, additions, renovations, moved buildings, and similar work before service changes or work begin.
- Apply online through MGO Connect or obtain and submit the permit application through the Code Enforcement Office.
- Submit the required project and applicant information. The city page lists owner and tenant names and addresses, contractor license documentation, insurance, and occupational license documentation for electrical-tag related permits.
- For newly constructed or renovated commercial buildings, provide a copy of the State Fire Marshal certificate of approval when applying.
- Pay the applicable permit fee. The city states the fee depends on the service or work performed.
- Permit application processing and issuance are handled through the Code Enforcement Office.
Source: City of Opelousas Code Enforcement Office / Permits, Licenses & Inspections
General Requirements
A permit application is required prior to new construction, additions or renovations requiring electrical-service alterations, moving a building onto property, signs on buildings or grounds, and for occupancy permits for new businesses.
Required Documents
- Permit application
- Owner and tenant names and addresses
- Contractor license copy
- Certificate of insurance
- Occupational license
- State Fire Marshal approval for newly constructed or renovated commercial buildings
- Historic district appropriateness application where applicable
- Building code
- Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code. Local zoning review governed by the city zoning ordinance.
- Owner-builder
- No city-specific owner-builder rule located on the public permit page
- Contractor requirements
- Contractor must be state licensed or licensed by the City of Opelousas. Copy of state or city license required. Certificate of insurance and occupational license documentation required. City publishes a city contractor license application with first-year contractor license fee of $75 and renewal fee of $25.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Public page says fee depends on service or work done
- Payment note
- Fees handled through Code Enforcement Office or MGO portal depending on application path. Contractor license fees: $75 first year, $25 renewal.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the City of Opelousas Code Enforcement Office / Permits, Licenses & Inspections to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- MGO Connect portal (online)
- (337) 948-2533 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closed 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. for lunch
Typical inspection sequence: Application, city review, permit issuance, and electrical-tag related approval steps; detailed inspection sequence not published
Additional Resources
- Building code: Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code. Local zoning review governed by the city zoning ordinance.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- MGO Connect Portal
- Historic District - Certificate of Appropriateness
- 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 City of Opelousas Code Enforcement Office / Permits, Licenses & Inspections before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Opelousas Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Opelousas, LA?
- A permit application is required prior to new construction, additions or renovations requiring electrical-service alterations, moving a building onto property, signs on buildings or grounds, and for occupancy permits for new businesses.
- How much does a building permit cost in Opelousas, LA?
- Fees are calculated as: Public page says fee depends on service or work done.
- How do I apply for a building permit in Opelousas, LA?
- 1. Determine the permit type from the city permit page. An Application for Permit is required for electrical tags, new construction, additions, renovations, moved buildings, and similar work before service changes or work begin. 2. Apply online through MGO Connect or obtain and submit the permit application through the Code Enforcement Office. 3. Submit the required project and applicant information. The city page lists owner and tenant names and addresses, contractor license documentation, insurance, and occupational license documentation for electrical-tag related permits. 4. For newly constructed or renovated commercial buildings, provide a copy of the State Fire Marshal certificate of approval when applying. 5. Pay the applicable permit fee. The city states the fee depends on the service or work performed. 6. Permit application processing and issuance are handled through the Code Enforcement Office.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Opelousas, LA?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: MGO Connect portal, (337) 948-2533.
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