Lake Charles building department

The Lake Charles Permit Center, on the 7th floor of City Hall, is where you get development permits and information on construction, zoning and land use inside the city. The center:

• reviews plans
• issues building, electrical, plumbing, gas and mechanical permits
• inspects the trades
• licenses building, electrical, plumbing, gas and mechanical contractors
• investigates code complaints about junk vehicles, trash, tall grass and other property standards
• runs condemnation proceedings

The Permit Center’s rules cover the City of Lake Charles only. If a property is in unincorporated Calcasieu Parish, check with the parish before you apply here.

Applying online

Lake Charles takes applications through MyGovernmentOnline (MGO Connect):

1. Create an account at mgoconnect.org and fill in each field of the application.
2. On the last page, upload your plans and documents: building plans, site plan, grading plan, the water and sewer availability form, stormwater BMP photos, and anything else required.
3. Wait for a Permit Tech to confirm the file is complete. You’ll then get an emailed invoice for the plan review fee, which you can pay online.
4. Respond to any requests from plan reviewers, which arrive by email.
5. After approval, pay the permit invoice. You’ll receive the permit electronically.

Each trade needs its own permit.

Residential plan requirements

Residential review carries a $25 review fee and usually takes one to three days. During review:

• Planning and Codes check building and zoning compliance.
• Zoning and Land Use confirms the lot is properly platted and addressed.
• If the lot is in a flood hazard area, you may need an elevation certificate.

You submit one complete digital set of plans. The plans must show the designer’s name, address and phone number, and include:

• a site plan to scale, with a legal description and all buildings shown relative to property lines and easements
• a grading plan, which can be combined with the site plan. It must show:
  • a north arrow and lot dimensions
  • ditches and water bodies
  • how rainwater flows across the lot
  • storm drains, culverts and catch basins
  • grading limits
  • erosion controls such as silt fence, hay bales and gravel entrances
• a dimensioned, labeled floor plan with fixtures, attic access, doors and windows
• a door and window schedule
• a foundation plan with footing sizes, depth, reinforcing, vapor barrier and fill
• detail drawings of framing, stairs, exterior walls, flashing, insulation, anchors and clips

Freeboard elevation rule

Since January 1, 2021, every new enclosed residential or commercial building, and every substantial improvement, must have its lowest floor at least one foot above the highest of these four reference points:

• Base flood elevation: the BFE for zones AE and VE from the latest Calcasieu Parish Flood Insurance Study. Where the BFE is 9 feet or less, use 10 feet. In zone A, the BFE is set for the specific site after the city applies.
• Street centerline: the centerline of the nearest adjacent street. On a corner lot, use the lower street.
• Sewer manhole: the top of the nearest upstream or downstream sanitary sewer manhole.
• Flood history: the highest recorded or modeled 100-year flood level, if known.

Mechanical equipment and sewer lift stations must meet the same elevation. A Freeboard Elevation Packet is required for all new construction. For questions or a copy of the ordinance, call the Zoning Office at (337) 491-1542.

Adopted codes

Lake Charles enforces codes adopted by the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council, effective January 1, 2023:

• 2021 IBC, IRC, IEBC and IECC
• 2021 International Plumbing and Fuel Gas codes
• 2021 International Mechanical Code
• 2020 National Electrical Code

Forms and stormwater

The Forms & Applications page posts:

• residential and commercial plan review applications
• a residential energy efficiency compliance form
• the water or sewer service availability form
• the city’s $7,500 contractor’s bond form
• applications to qualify as an electrical contractor or journeyman electrician
• the state Affidavit Claiming Exemption from Licensure, for homeowners acting as their own contractor
• grease interceptor and food-service questionnaires

Grading permits come in two versions, one for sites of 1 acre or more and one for sites under 1 acre. The city’s stormwater ordinance is in Chapter 21 of the city code. The Stormwater Management office, also at City Hall, answers at (337) 491-1542.

Contacts

Office	Phone
Permit Center (building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing)	(337) 491-1294
Permit Center fax	(337) 491-1571
Zoning Office / Stormwater Management	(337) 491-1542
City Hall main line	(337) 491-1200