On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for St. Landry Parish
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.
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
- Exempt Affidavits (rather than permits) issued for buildings existing prior to May 1980 that have not been remodeled, altered, or relocated
- Exempt Affidavits issued for buildings lost by natural disaster as defined by parish ordinance
- Exempt Affidavits issued for welding machines
- Exempt Affidavits issued for security lights
- Exempt Affidavits issued for water wells
- Exempt Affidavits issued for billboards
Note: Contact St. Landry Parish Permits Office to confirm whether your project requires a permit or affidavit before starting work.
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
- Building code
- Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code. Floodplain compliance and local sewer, water, and sanitation requirements also apply.
- 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.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 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.
- 02 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.
- 03 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.
- 04 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.
- 05 After review, the parish will call the applicant back to obtain the permit.
- 06 Final electrical service is issued after the office receives elevation certificate if applicable, Department of Health installer documentation, and 911 address confirmation.
§ 04
Fee schedule
St. Landry Parish building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
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
02
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
03
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.
04
Penalty (no permit)
Double the normal permit fee for starting construction before permit issuance. Ordinance also authorizes misdemeanor penalties.
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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 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
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated St. Landry Parish permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated St. Landry Parish, LA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated St. Landry Parish, LA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated St. Landry Parish, LA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated St. Landry Parish, LA, follow these steps: 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.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated St. Landry Parish, LA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated St. Landry Parish, LA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated St. Landry Parish, LA via: (337) 948-3688.
last verified April 2026
source St. Landry Parish Permits Office ↗
entry id permits/louisiana/st-landry/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with St. Landry Parish Permits Office before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.