Bossier City building department

Bossier City’s Permits and Inspections Division, part of the Engineering department, issues every city building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permit and license. It also inspects residential and commercial jobs. One quirk: a building outside city limits that connects to Bossier City water or sewer is permitted through this office together with the Bossier Parish Tax Assessor. Other unincorporated parish property falls under a different authority.

When you need a permit

The city’s FAQ answers plainly: building permits are required for any residential or commercial work except flooring and painting. On the plumbing side, minor repairs such as faucet internals, clearing clogs and fixing leaks don’t need a permit, as long as the piping stays unchanged.

Some permits also need sign-off from the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC):

• carports and garages
• driveways and fences
• additions and moved buildings
• pools, signs and storage buildings
• tents

You can reach the MPC at (318) 741-8824.

Submittal requirements

Residential new construction

New homes need:

• full plans and a site plan
• post-tension foundation details
• a residential energy code check
• proof of insurance and a state license

In flood-prone areas, the city also requires a finish floor elevation certificate.

Commercial projects

Commercial permits need:

• one full set of plans showing the designer’s name and address, covering architectural, structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical and landscaping work
• State Fire Marshal approval (800-256-5452 or 225-925-4920)
• for food businesses, a Department of Health approval letter (318-741-7314)
• from the contractor, general liability insurance of at least $100,000 and a state contractor’s license
• for out-of-state contractors, Louisiana Department of Revenue certification

Stormwater review first

Before applying for any new residential or commercial construction permit, developers must complete the city’s Environmental Affairs Division requirements. These include a SWP3 and NOI under LDEQ’s stormwater general permit LAR10000 and the city’s Ordinance 167 of 2025. Environmental Affairs is at 3512 Barksdale Blvd. Call (318) 213-2157; the office is open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays.

Homeowner permits

A homeowner can pull their own residential permit if they meet two conditions:

• they have lived in the home for 12 months
• for work over $7,500, they file a notarized affidavit with the application

An owner-builder of a new home signs a notarized exemption affidavit and must occupy the home for a year. They can’t have built another home in the past year. Only licensed tradesmen can pull trade permits.

Fees

The city’s building permit fee rules:

• Additions, repairs and alterations: $50 minimum when construction cost is under $2,000. Above that, $5.00 per $1,000 or fraction of cost. Fees are based on the actual contract price.
• New homes: $350 plus $0.15 per sq ft under roof, including habitable rooms on upper floors.
• Commercial: based on the contract price of all new construction, additions, repairs and alterations.

Electrical work not listed on the electrical fee schedule is charged at $5 per $1,000 of total cost. Separate electrical, mechanical, plumbing and MPC fee sheets are posted on the division page.

Trade registration

Electricians and plumbers must hold a current Bossier City registration in addition to state credentials:

Registration	Electrical	Plumbing
Apprentice	$15	$15
Journeyman	$30	$30
Master	$150	$150
Residential electrician helper	$25	—

Registration requirements

• Electricians: a current state license or proof of passing an ICC (or equivalent) exam, photo ID, and general liability insurance of at least $100,000.
• Plumbers: a Louisiana State Plumbing Board license, photo ID, and $100,000 liability insurance. Journeymen are exempt from the insurance requirement.
• Plumbing jobs over $7,500: the plumbing designation must appear on the contractor’s Louisiana state license.

Adopted codes

Bossier City enforces:

• 2021 International Building, Residential, Existing Building, Fire, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Swimming Pool & Spa, and Energy Conservation codes
• the 2020 National Electrical Code
• NFPA standards
• Chapter 18 of the city ordinance book

The office is at 620 Benton Road. Call (318) 741-8571 or fax (318) 741-8854. Mail goes to P.O. Box 5337, Bossier City, LA 71171-5337.