Louisiana building departments
Find local permit offices, inspection services, and official resources across Louisiana.
Search the Louisiana directory
How permitting works in Louisiana
Uniform state code enforced by every parish and city. Every Louisiana municipality and parish must enforce the state construction code, using its own code officers or certified third-party providers. Contractors need a state license above set dollar limits.
A county name is only a geographic starting point. Depending on the address, a city, town, borough, township, or county office may issue your permit. How to check who issues your permit.
Louisiana building codes and licensing
- Residential code
- 2021 IRC with Louisiana amendments, effective January 1, 2023; 2024 I-codes are proposed to take effect January 1, 2027
- Commercial code
- 2021 IBC and 2021 IEBC with Louisiana amendments (effective Jan. 1, 2023); 2020 NEC; 2021 IECC effective July 1, 2023
- Outside city limits
- State law requires every municipality and parish to enforce the state construction codes, using building code enforcement officers or certified third-party providers, so unincorporated areas are covered by the parish.
- Contractor licensing
- A residential license is required for new home construction over $50,000 and home improvement projects over $50,000; home improvement projects of $7,500 or more fall under the Home Improvement license type. Commercial electrical, mechanical and plumbing jobs over $10,000 require a license. Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (opens in a new tab)
What is different in Louisiana
- Local governments may not enforce construction codes other than the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code.
- Homeowners and contractors may use a certified third-party provider for plan review and inspections; inspectors may not review projects built by a company they own an interest in.
- Under Act 881 of 2026 and LUCCC Resolution 2026-01, the commission collects a $10 fee on each permit issued by a local government.
- A notice of intent to adopt the 2024 I-codes and the 2023 NEC was published in the August 20, 2026 Louisiana Register.
Louisiana department guides
Browse Louisiana counties
Acadia ParishAllen ParishAscension ParishAssumption ParishAvoyelles ParishBeauregard ParishBienville ParishBossier ParishCaddo ParishCalcasieu ParishCaldwell ParishCameron ParishCatahoula ParishClaiborne ParishConcordia ParishDe Soto ParishEast Baton Rouge ParishEast Carroll ParishEast Feliciana ParishEvangeline ParishFranklin ParishGrant ParishIberia ParishIberville ParishJackson ParishJefferson ParishJefferson Davis ParishLafayette ParishLafourche ParishLaSalle ParishLincoln ParishLivingston ParishMadison ParishMorehouse ParishNatchitoches ParishOrleans ParishOuachita ParishPlaquemines ParishPointe Coupee ParishRapides ParishRed River ParishRichland ParishSabine ParishSt. Bernard ParishSt. Charles ParishSt. Helena ParishSt. James ParishSt. John the Baptist ParishSt. Landry ParishSt. Martin ParishSt. Mary ParishSt. Tammany ParishTangipahoa ParishTensas ParishTerrebonne ParishUnion ParishVermilion ParishVernon ParishWashington ParishWebster ParishWest Baton Rouge ParishWest Carroll ParishWest Feliciana ParishWinn Parish
Planning a project in Louisiana?
Start with what the model codes say, then confirm local rules with the department that serves your address.