St. Landry Parish, LA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Serves anyone outside incorporated areas of St. Landry Parish, and also properties within Arnaudville, Palmetto, and Melville city limits. This page covers unincorporated St. Landry Parish.

Department

St. Landry Parish Permits Office

Address

118 South Court Street, Suite 118, Opelousas, LA 70570; permit issuance also at Suite 133 of the same address

Phone

(337) 948-3688

Website

https://stlandrypg.org/departments/permits-office/

Application Process

1. Confirm that the site is in the parish permit office's jurisdiction. The parish states anyone outside incorporated areas planning any type of construction, placement of a movable structure, moving, replacing, remodeling, or adding any type of structure needs a permit.
2. For new residential construction, submit 2 copies of construction plans including site and floor plan, and pay the inspection and review fee when plans are submitted.
3. Bring deed or cash sale recorded with the Clerk of Court, estimated cost or value, supporting cost documentation, square footage, utility company name, and culvert permit information if needed. For new construction over $50,000 that is not self-contracting, bring a contractor letter or bid with the contractor's state license number.
4. For commercial permits, first obtain State Fire Marshal approval, then Louisiana Department of Health sewer approval, then submit 2 copies of construction plans with inspection fees, and then apply at the permit office.
5. After review, the parish will call the applicant back to obtain the permit.
6. Final electrical service is issued after the office receives elevation certificate if applicable, Department of Health installer documentation, and 911 address confirmation.

Source: St. Landry Parish Permits Office

General Requirements

The parish permit office states anyone outside incorporated areas planning any type of construction, placement of a movable structure, moving, replacing, remodeling, or adding any type of structure must obtain a permit. It is unlawful to begin any construction or location activity before obtaining a permit.

Required Documents

• 2 plan sets for new construction
• Deed or cash sale recorded with Clerk of Court
• Project cost or value support
• Square footage
• Utility company name
• Culvert permit if needed
• Louisiana Department of Health approvals
• State Fire Marshal approval for commercial work
• 911 address
• Elevation certificate if applicable
• Contractor letter and state contractor license number for applicable new residential construction

Permit validity

Temporary permit valid for six months. Failure to complete final permit within six months results in cancellation of temporary permit, loss of permit fee, and loss of utilities.

Building code

Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code. Floodplain compliance and local sewer, water, and sanitation requirements also apply.

Owner-builder

Parish page states homes exceeding $50,000 in cost and not self-contracting must be done by a licensed contractor. Louisiana state law also allows owner exemption affidavit for qualifying personal-residence construction.

Contractor requirements

Parish requires contractor letter or bid with state contractor license number for applicable new residential construction. Louisiana contractor licensing thresholds apply statewide.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$250 for residential structure valued at $0 to $75,000; $100 for stand-alone electrical, foundation, or plumbing inspections; $50 for an affidavit

Plan check fee

Inspection and review fee due when plans are submitted. Examples: new residential construction 0-2,000 sq ft $1,150 plus 8 percent PGAF; 2,001-4,000 sq ft $1,350 plus 8 percent PGAF; 4,001+ $1,550 plus 8 percent PGAF

Permit fee formula

Residential structure permit fees are valuation-based. Plan review and inspection fees are square-footage based, with added 8 percent Parish Government Administrative Fee (PGAF). Commercial fees are square-footage based with plus-per-square-foot formula above 6,000 square feet.

Penalty (no permit)

Double the normal permit fee for starting construction before permit issuance. Ordinance also authorizes misdemeanor penalties.

Payment note

Inspection and review fee due when plans submitted. Permit fees due when permit issued. PGAF non-refundable and deducted from review and inspection fee.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Affidavits (rather than permits) issued for buildings existing prior to May 1980 that have not been remodeled, altered, or relocated
• Affidavits issued for buildings lost by natural disaster as defined by parish ordinance
• Affidavits issued for welding machines
• Affidavits issued for security lights
• Affidavits issued for water wells
• Affidavits issued for billboards

Important: Contact St. Landry Parish Permits Office to confirm whether your project requires a permit or affidavit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (337) 948-3688 (phone)

Inspection hours

Mondays through Fridays, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (call for appointment)

Typical inspection sequence: Plan review and fee payment, permit issuance, temporary power orange tag for construction, required inspections and health-unit signoffs, elevation certificate if applicable, then final approval and green tag for final power

Additional Resources

• Building code: Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code. Floodplain compliance and local sewer, water, and sanitation requirements also apply.
• Parish Permits Office
• FEMA Flood Maps
• Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors
• License lookup guide: Louisiana Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Louisiana Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Louisiana hub: Louisiana Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Landry Parish Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated St. Landry Parish, LA?

The parish permit office states anyone outside incorporated areas planning any type of construction, placement of a movable structure, moving, replacing, remodeling, or adding any type of structure must obtain a permit. It is unlawful to begin any construction or location activity before obtaining a permit.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated St. Landry Parish, LA?

The minimum permit fee is $250 for residential structure valued at $0 to $75,000; $100 for stand-alone electrical, foundation, or plumbing inspections; $50 for an affidavit. Fees are calculated as: Residential structure permit fees are valuation-based. Plan review and inspection fees are square-footage based, with added 8 percent Parish Government Administrative Fee (PGAF). Commercial fees are square-footage based with plus-per-square-foot formula above 6,000 square feet.. Plan check fee: Inspection and review fee due when plans are submitted. Examples: new residential construction 0-2,000 sq ft $1,150 plus 8 percent PGAF; 2,001-4,000 sq ft $1,350 plus 8 percent PGAF; 4,001+ $1,550 plus 8 percent PGAF.

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated St. Landry Parish, LA?

1. Confirm that the site is in the parish permit office's jurisdiction. The parish states anyone outside incorporated areas planning any type of construction, placement of a movable structure, moving, replacing, remodeling, or adding any type of structure needs a permit. 2. For new residential construction, submit 2 copies of construction plans including site and floor plan, and pay the inspection and review fee when plans are submitted. 3. Bring deed or cash sale recorded with the Clerk of Court, estimated cost or value, supporting cost documentation, square footage, utility company name, and culvert permit information if needed. For new construction over $50,000 that is not self-contracting, bring a contractor letter or bid with the contractor's state license number. 4. For commercial permits, first obtain State Fire Marshal approval, then Louisiana Department of Health sewer approval, then submit 2 copies of construction plans with inspection fees, and then apply at the permit office. 5. After review, the parish will call the applicant back to obtain the permit. 6. Final electrical service is issued after the office receives elevation certificate if applicable, Department of Health installer documentation, and 911 address confirmation.

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated St. Landry Parish, LA?

The following work is generally exempt: Affidavits (rather than permits) issued for buildings existing prior to May 1980 that have not been remodeled, altered, or relocated; Affidavits issued for buildings lost by natural disaster as defined by parish ordinance; Affidavits issued for welding machines; Affidavits issued for security lights; Affidavits issued for water wells; Affidavits issued for billboards. Note: Contact St. Landry Parish Permits Office to confirm whether your project requires a permit or affidavit before starting work.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated St. Landry Parish, LA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: (337) 948-3688.