On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Washington Parish
Flood damage prevention ordinance requires a permit before construction, reconstruction, development, major remodeling, manufactured home placement, and flood-related repair work.
Property owner / occupant / homeowner small jobs, non-commercial, 200 square feet or less
Fences 7 feet tall or less
Painting
Wallpapering
Tiling
Carpeting
Countertops
Playground equipment
Agricultural structures fee exempt when supported by IRS Schedule F or affidavit
Pond digging for agricultural use or NRCS projects
Temporary overburden and certain mining stockpiles described in the development ordinance
- Exempt Property owner / occupant / homeowner small jobs, non-commercial, 200 square feet or less
- Exempt Fences 7 feet tall or less
- Exempt Painting
- Exempt Wallpapering
- Exempt Tiling
- Exempt Carpeting
- Exempt Countertops
- Exempt Playground equipment
- Exempt Agricultural structures fee exempt when supported by IRS Schedule F or affidavit
- Exempt Pond digging for agricultural use or NRCS projects
- Exempt Temporary overburden and certain mining stockpiles described in the development ordinance
Required documents
- Completed permit application, 911 address, septic letter, two sets of plans including site plans, proof of ownership, elevation certificate if in a flood zone or after flooding, and purchase permit where applicable.
- Building code
- Washington Parish Development Ordinance references construction under the Louisiana Adopted International Building Codes, as amended. The parish ordinance also relies on Louisiana sanitary code requirements for sewerage and septic matters.
- Owner-builder
- Washington Parish application includes a homeowner claiming exemption from licensure, and the parish requires a notarized affidavit from the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors for that exemption.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors and tradesmen must register with the parish building department; parish registration form requires business details, state license number, proof of liability insurance, and proof of workers compensation insurance.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Obtain a 911 address from the parish 911 office.
- 02 Obtain a sanitation letter from the health unit.
- 03 Submit the building permit application to the Washington Parish Permit Office.
- 04 Provide required documents, including plans, proof of ownership, septic letter, and elevation certificate when applicable.
- 05 Parish staff reviews the application and plans.
- 06 Permit is issued when the application is approved and fees are paid.
Source: Washington Parish Government, Licensing and Permits / Department of Building and Permitting ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Washington Parish building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Permit fee formula
New residential structures are $0.55 per square foot under beam. Residential additions / renovations are $0.40 per square foot. Detached sheds, carports, and portable buildings over 200 square feet are $0.20 per square foot. New commercial structures are $0.75 per square foot under beam. Commercial additions are $0.60 per square foot. Commercial improvements are $100 plus 1 percent of contract value.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Parish documents indicate the permit office handles scheduling; the contractor registration form and fee schedule refere (online)
Typical sequence: Plan review, permit issuance, field inspections, final approval. The fee schedule notes each inspection visit includes one inspector visit in the original fee.
Additional re-inspections / re-calls are charged separately at $50 each additional visit.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Washington Parish permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Washington Parish, LA? ▸
Flood damage prevention ordinance requires a permit before construction, reconstruction, development, major remodeling, manufactured home placement, and flood-related repair work.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Washington Parish, LA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Washington Parish, LA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: New residential structures are $0.55 per square foot under beam. Residential additions / renovations are $0.40 per square foot. Detached sheds, carports, and portable buildings over 200 square feet are $0.20 per square foot. New commercial structures are $0.75 per square foot under beam. Commercial additions are $0.60 per square foot. Commercial improvements are $100 plus 1 percent of contract value..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Washington Parish, LA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Washington Parish, LA, follow these steps: 1. Obtain a 911 address from the parish 911 office. 2. Obtain a sanitation letter from the health unit. 3. Submit the building permit application to the Washington Parish Permit Office. 4. Provide required documents, including plans, proof of ownership, septic letter, and elevation certificate when applicable. 5. Parish staff reviews the application and plans. 6. Permit is issued when the application is approved and fees are paid.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Washington Parish, LA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Washington Parish, LA. The following work is generally exempt: Property owner / occupant / homeowner small jobs, non-commercial, 200 square feet or less; Fences 7 feet tall or less; Painting; Wallpapering; Tiling; Carpeting; Countertops; Playground equipment; Agricultural structures fee exempt when supported by IRS Schedule F or affidavit; Pond digging for agricultural use or NRCS projects; Temporary overburden and certain mining stockpiles described in the development ordinance. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Washington Parish, LA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Washington Parish, LA via: Parish documents indicate the permit office handles scheduling; the contractor registration form and fee schedule refere.
last verified April 2026
source Washington Parish Government, Licensing and Permits / Department of Building and Permitting ↗
entry id permits/louisiana/washington/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Washington Parish Government, Licensing and Permits / Department of Building and Permitting before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.