Baton Rouge, LA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Quick Start

Permit Authority

City-Parish permit office for Baton Rouge city permits and inspections; separate municipalities in East Baton Rouge Parish maintain their own permit functions.

Department

Permit and Inspection Division, Department of Development, City of Baton Rouge/Parish of East Baton Rouge

Address

300 N Tenth Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Phone

225-389-3205

Email

bpousson@brla.gov

Website

https://www.brla.gov/2688/Permits-Inspections

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm project scope and gather any required forms from the City-Parish Permits and Inspections page, including elevation and zoning related forms where applicable.
2. Create or log into a MyGovernmentOnline account; the official Baton Rouge page links to MGO account and customer portal FAQs.
3. Submit the permit application and upload required supporting documents through MGO. Some permits also require floodplain, sewer, drainage, or UDC review.
4. Pay plan review and permit fees. The fee page states permit payments by credit card incur a 5 percent fee.
5. Respond to plan review comments, if any. City-Parish ordinance 22-01525 states third-party plan review submittals receive either permit approval or a deficiency report within 8 business days of submission.
6. Once the permit is issued, post or maintain permit records as required and schedule inspections through the permit process and MGO workflow before concealment or occupancy.

Typical processing time: Third-party plan review submittals receive approval or a deficiency report within 8 business days of submission per ordinance 22-01525.

Source: Permit and Inspection Division, Department of Development, City of Baton Rouge/Parish of East Baton Rouge

General Requirements

City-Parish ordinance requires a permit before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, or changing occupancy of a building or structure, or installing, enlarging, altering, repairing, removing, converting, or replacing regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems.

Required Documents

• Application through MGO
• Plans
• Flood or elevation documents where applicable
• Servitude and setback related documents where applicable
• Trade permit information
• Other discipline-specific forms listed on the official permit page

Building code

City-Parish ordinance 22-01525 adopts the latest editions of the IBC, IRC, IEBC, IPMC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, and NEC as adopted and amended by the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council.

Contractor requirements

State licensing applies through the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors; Baton Rouge also links to the state licensing board from the permit fee page.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Residential: $80 minimum for new buildings; $125 minimum for additions and renovations. Commercial: $100 minimum.

Plan check fee

Residential new building plan review is included in the $0.50 per square foot line item with an $80 minimum. Commercial plan review is $3 per thousand up to $500,000 valuation, then $1,500 plus $0.50 per thousand above $500,000, with a $100 minimum.

Permit fee formula

Residential new building permits are $0.50 per square foot. Residential additions and renovations use flat minimums. Commercial plan review and permits are valuation-based.

Payment note

Credit card payments are charged a 5 percent fee; technology fee is $15 for all permits.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Permit and Inspection Division, Department of Development, City of Baton Rouge/Parish of East Baton Rouge to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• MGO portal (online)
• 225-389-3205 (phone)

Additional Resources

• Building code: City-Parish ordinance 22-01525 adopts the latest editions of the IBC, IRC, IEBC, IPMC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, and NEC as adopted and amended by the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council.
• Verify contractor license: Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Permit and Inspections Fees
• License lookup guide: Louisiana Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Louisiana Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Louisiana hub: Louisiana Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Baton Rouge Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Baton Rouge, LA?

City-Parish ordinance requires a permit before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving, demolishing, or changing occupancy of a building or structure, or installing, enlarging, altering, repairing, removing, converting, or replacing regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems.

How much does a building permit cost in Baton Rouge, LA?

Building permit fees in Baton Rouge, LA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Residential: $80 minimum for new buildings; $125 minimum for additions and renovations. Commercial: $100 minimum.. Fees are calculated as: Residential new building permits are $0.50 per square foot. Residential additions and renovations use flat minimums. Commercial plan review and permits are valuation-based.. Plan check fee: Residential new building plan review is included in the $0.50 per square foot line item with an $80 minimum. Commercial plan review is $3 per thousand up to $500,000 valuation, then $1,500 plus $0.50 per thousand above $500,000, with a $100 minimum..

How do I apply for a building permit in Baton Rouge, LA?

To apply for a building permit in Baton Rouge, LA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm project scope and gather any required forms from the City-Parish Permits and Inspections page, including elevation and zoning related forms where applicable. 2. Create or log into a MyGovernmentOnline account; the official Baton Rouge page links to MGO account and customer portal FAQs. 3. Submit the permit application and upload required supporting documents through MGO. Some permits also require floodplain, sewer, drainage, or UDC review. 4. Pay plan review and permit fees. The fee page states permit payments by credit card incur a 5 percent fee. 5. Respond to plan review comments, if any. City-Parish ordinance 22-01525 states third-party plan review submittals receive either permit approval or a deficiency report within 8 business days of submission. 6. Once the permit is issued, post or maintain permit records as required and schedule inspections through the permit process and MGO workflow before concealment or occupancy.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Baton Rouge, LA?

Building permit processing times in Baton Rouge, LA typically run Third-party plan review submittals receive approval or a deficiency report within 8 business days of submission per ordinance 22-01525.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Baton Rouge, LA?

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Baton Rouge, LA via: MGO portal, 225-389-3205.

Other cities in East Baton Rouge Parish