Bolthole Index

Bossier Parish, Louisiana

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Bossier City, Louisiana

Bossier City, Louisiana requires building permits for residential and commercial work except flooring and painting.1 The city’s Permits & Inspections Division issues building permits, while Planning and Zoning enforces the Unified Development Code.23 Septic approval remains a Louisiana Department of Health responsibility, with parish health-unit sanitarians operating the local permitting system.45

At a glance

Building permits
Required except for flooring and painting1
Zoning
Planning and Zoning enforces the Unified Development Code3
Septic permits
State health approval; city application includes a septic permit when applicable67
Minimum lot area
R-A: 1 acre; R-LD single-family: 6,000 square feet, subject to stated exceptions89
Owner-builder
Personal-residence contractor-license exemption requires an affidavit; building permits still apply101
Flood-zone construction
Residential elevation requirements apply in special flood hazard areas11

Who to call

Building permits

Bossier City Permits & Inspections Division

City building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits; residential and commercial inspections

318-741-8571

620 Benton Road Bossier City , LA 71111

Zoning

Bossier City-Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission

Planning and development inquiries for Bossier City

318-741-8824

620 Benton Road Bossier City , LA 71111

Zoning

Bossier City Planning and Zoning

Zoning enforcement and building permit review

Septic permits

Louisiana Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater Program

State onsite wastewater rules and parish health-unit permitting

Septic permits

Bossier Parish Health Unit

Local health-unit contact listed in the city construction guide

318-741-7314

3022 Old Minden Rd., Suite 100 Bossier City, LA 71111

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Bossier City means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Bossier City, LA?

Bossier City requires building permits for residential and commercial work, with flooring and painting excepted.1 Bossier City publishes separate building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing fee materials, so the applicable permit type determines which schedule to consult.12 The city’s review process issues the building permit after all involved agencies approve the application and remaining fees are paid; construction may then begin.13 Missing building permits can lead to a stop-work order and additional fees.1

Who issues building permits and reviews zoning in Bossier City?

Bossier City’s Permits & Inspections Division issues city building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits and performs inspections on residential and commercial projects.2 Call 318-741-8571 or visit 620 Benton Road Bossier City , LA 71111 for the building permit office.2 Planning and Zoning reviews residential and commercial building permits and enforces the Unified Development Code; the Metropolitan Planning Commission contact number is 318-741-8824.314 Septic permitting remains with the state health program through parish health-unit sanitarians rather than the city building counter.5

Does Bossier City have zoning, lot-size rules and setbacks?

Bossier City Planning and Zoning enforces the Bossier City-Parish Unified Development Code.3 In Bossier City’s R-A Residence-Agriculture district, the minimum lot area is 1 acre, subject to the code’s stated exception.8 In R-LD Residential Low Density, the single-family minimum is 6,000 square feet, also subject to the stated exception.9 R-LD setbacks are 25 feet front, 5 feet side and 20 feet rear; major arterials require a 50-foot front setback unless reduced by the MPC Board.15 Ask Planning and Zoning to identify the parcel’s district before using these dimensions.3

How do septic permits work inside Bossier City?

Bossier City’s construction application calls for a septic permit when applicable.7 Louisiana requires state health approval before installing, altering or operating an individual sewerage system, with approved plans and specifications.6 State approval considers whether community sewer connection is feasible and whether soils, drainage and lot dimensions support a safe onsite system.6 Parish health-unit sanitarians operate the local onsite sewage permitting system; the city lists the Bossier Parish Health Unit at 318-741-7314.516 Final state approval requires verification by an onsite inspection and/or the licensed installer’s certification.17

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Bossier City?

Bossier City’s verified temporary-camping provisions concern tents and cabins within recreational vehicle parks: stays of 30 days or less require Executive Director approval, while longer stays may receive MPC conditional-use approval.18 Those park provisions do not establish permission to live in an RV on a private residential lot.18 We could not confirm a general private-lot RV occupancy rule, a distinct tiny-home occupancy rule or a general minimum dwelling size for Bossier City; ask Planning and Zoning about the proposed dwelling and parcel before buying.3

Building a home in Bossier City: what are the steps?

  1. Ask Planning and Zoning to confirm the parcel’s zoning and review the proposed residential site plan.3
  2. Consult Environmental Affairs before submitting a new-construction building permit application, as directed by the city permit office.2
  3. Submit the digital building permit application, site plan, building plans and foundation plans, plus flood elevation certificates and a septic permit when applicable.137
  4. Complete agency review and pay remaining fees before receiving the building permit and starting construction.13
  5. Arrange required construction inspections with Permits & Inspections.2

Bossier City estimates residential review at 1 week, but missing information and resubmittals can extend that estimate.13

What should you check before buying land in Bossier City?

For Bossier City residential construction and substantial improvements in special flood hazard areas, the specified rules require the lowest floor, mechanical and electrical equipment and duct work at least 1 foot above base flood elevation, with professional certification.11 We could not confirm the complete city sewer-connection rule or whether a private well is acceptable for a particular city lot; ask the city building office before designing utility connections.2 Louisiana’s statewide well rules require licensed drilling and registration, with domestic wells treated differently from wells subject to advance notification.19 For land outside city limits, use the Bossier Parish guide for the parish building permit requirement.20

Watch-outs

  • Bossier City’s owner-builder route is a contractor-license exemption for a personal residence, requires an exemption affidavit and does not remove building permit or health-code requirements.101
  • Bossier City’s R-A zoning designation does not establish a general agricultural building-permit exemption; we could not confirm such an exemption, so ask Permits & Inspections before starting a barn or outbuilding.12
  • Bossier City directs new-construction applicants to Environmental Affairs before applying and says stormwater documents must be completed under the cited state permit and city ordinance.2

Sources

  1. Permits FAQ (Bossier City), quoted and re-checked
  2. Bossier City Permits & Inspections Division (bossiercity.org)
  3. Bossier City Planning and Zoning (bossiercity.org)
  4. Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51, Part XIII, Public Health—Sanitary Code (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  5. Louisiana Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater Program (ldh.la.gov)
  6. Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51, Part XIII, Public Health—Sanitary Code (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  7. Building Permit and Site Plan Review Process Guide (Bossier City), quoted and re-checked
  8. Unified Development Code, Section 6.2 — Minimum Lot Area Requirements (Bossier City), quoted and re-checked
  9. Unified Development Code, Section 6.2 — Minimum Lot Area Requirements (Bossier City), quoted and re-checked
  10. Louisiana Revised Statutes § 37:2157 — Exemptions (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. library.municode.com (Bossier City), quoted and re-checked
  12. Permits & Inspections Division (Bossier City), quoted and re-checked
  13. Building Permit and Site Plan Review Process Guide (Bossier City), quoted and re-checked
  14. Bossier City-Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission (bossiercity.org)
  15. bossiercity.org (Bossier City), quoted and re-checked
  16. Bossier Parish Health Unit (bossiercity.org)
  17. Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51, Part XIII, Public Health—Sanitary Code (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Unified Development Code, Section 14.8 — Recreational Vehicle Park Standards (Bossier City), quoted and re-checked
  19. Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 43, Part VI, §701 (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Bossier Parish Building Safety Code Ordinance 4202, quoted and re-checked

Written October 11, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Bossier City

Bossier City’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Residential and commercial building work inside Bossier City city limits.

    • The FAQ states flooring and painting are exceptions.
    • The process guide says missing permits can lead to a stop-work order and additional fees.
    “Building permits are REQUIRED for any residential or commercial work except for Flooring and Painting.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Occupancy and use changes inside the Bossier City-Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission jurisdiction, including Bossier City.

    • Businesses and home-based businesses require a Certificate of Occupancy.
    • The UDC excludes single-family construction and certain residential occupancy changes unless tied to new construction, exterior-dimension remodeling, or an increase in dwelling units.
    • The certificate follows required final inspections and remains effective for its specified occupant, use, lot, and site configuration.
    “Single Family construction and any change in residential occupancy of a residential unit within a multiple-family structure, or manufactured housing park site shall be excluded from the requirements of obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy, unless the change in occupancy occurs directly in conjunction with:”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Single-family residential development in the R-A Residence-Agriculture district inside Bossier City city limits.

    • Section 15.2 may provide an exception.
    • The cited table states the district minimum lot area as 1 acre.

    minimum lot area: 1 acre (except as provided in Section 15.2)

    “Except as provided in Section 15.2, all structures shall comply with the minimum lot area requirements contained in the following table: District Minimum Lot Area Residential Districts R-A Residence-Agriculture 1 acre”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Structures in the R-LD Residential Low Density district inside Bossier City city limits.

    • The table identifies a 60-foot lot-width requirement, 25-foot front setback, 5-foot side setback, and 20-foot rear setback.
    • The UDC notes 50-foot front setbacks on major arterials unless reduced by the MPC Board.

    front setback: 25 feet (major arterials require 50 feet unless reduced by MPC Board) · side setback: 5 feet · rear setback: 20 feet

    “60 ft. 25 ft. 5 ft. 20 ft. 30% of lot area”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Structures in the R-A Residence-Agriculture district inside Bossier City city limits.

    • The UDC provides an exception under Section 15.3.

    maximum height: 3 stories or 45 feet, whichever is less (except as provided in Section 15.3)

    “R-A Residence-Agriculture 3 stories or 45 ft., whichever is less”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Temporary overnight camping in recreational vehicle parks inside Bossier City city limits.

    • Overnight stays in tents or cabins for 30 days or less require Executive Director approval.
    • The park must be at least 1,000 feet from R-E, R-LD, R-MD, or R-HD districts.
    • Tent or cabin area must be less than 30 percent of the park and separately designated.
    • Stays longer than 30 days may be approved by the Metropolitan Planning Commission as a Conditional Use.

    short-stay maximum: <= 30 days (longer stays may be approved as a Conditional Use) · separation from specified residential districts: >= 1000 feet (applies to tents or cabins in an RV park) · tent/cabin area: < 30 percent of park area (applies to tents or cabins)

    “The area for tents or cabins consists of less than 30 percent of the total area of the park.”
  • Septic permitLimited

    Residential and commercial construction in Bossier City when onsite sewage treatment is applicable.

    • The city guide lists a septic permit as an additional submittal only if applicable.
    • The guide separately identifies the Bossier Parish Health Unit as a contact.
    “Septic Permit (If applicable) Culvert Permit (If applicable) Mailbox Permit (If speed limit is 35mph or greater)”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and re-subdivision inside Bossier City city limits.

    • Minor subdivisions may use the one-step process only when they create no more than two buildable lots, create no new street or public improvement, meet minimum area/frontage, and otherwise meet subdivision and zoning regulations.
    • Further divisions after one minor-subdivision approval must be processed as a major subdivision.

    minor subdivision maximum buildable lots: <= 2 lots

    “The minor subdivision process allows for a one-step approval process with final action by the Metropolitan Planning Commission or the Executive Director.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    New residential construction and substantial improvements in areas of special flood hazard inside Bossier City city limits.

    • The lowest floor, basement, mechanical and electrical equipment, and duct work must be at least one foot above base flood elevation when the specified base-flood data conditions apply.
    • A registered professional engineer, architect, or land surveyor must submit the required certification.
    • Manufactured homes and recreational vehicles have additional elevation, anchoring, licensing, and duration rules.

    minimum elevation above base flood elevation: >= 1 foot (specific manufactured-home, recreational-vehicle, and Red River advisory-map rules also apply)

    “New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement), mechanical and electrical equipment and duct work elevated to a minimum of one foot above the base flood elevation.”
  • Permit feesPublished

    City permit fees for work inside Bossier City city limits.

    • The city publishes links to building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and MPC fee materials; the amount varies by permit type and applicable schedule.
    “Building Permit fees Electrical Permit fees Homeowner Affidavit Mechanical Permit fees MPC Fees Plumbing Permit fees”
  • Permit processPublished

    Building permit process inside Bossier City city limits.

    • Applications are submitted digitally.
    • Residential submittals include a permit application, site plan, building plans, foundation plans, and flood elevation certificates when applicable.
    • Once all agencies approve and remaining fees are paid, the permit is issued and construction may begin.
    • The guide estimates one week for residential review and two weeks for commercial review, subject to added time for missing information or resubmittals.

    estimated residential review: 1 week (missing information, additional reviews, and resubmittals may extend the estimate) · estimated commercial review: 2 weeks (missing information, additional reviews, and resubmittals may extend the estimate)

    “Once all agencies involved determine all requirements have been met, the applicant will be notified of the approval and asked to pay all remaining fees. Upon payment, the building permit will be issued. Construction may now begin!”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Bossier City or Bossier Parish directly.

  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Bossier City city limits.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage limits inside Bossier City city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Permanent or temporary occupancy of tiny homes inside Bossier City city limits.
  • Who permits septic — Onsite sewage treatment authority for land inside Bossier City city limits.
  • Septic inspection — Onsite sewage treatment inspections inside Bossier City city limits.
5 more unanswered
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Bossier City publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Bossier Parish’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Bossier Parish: county rules, score and offices