Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Gretna, Louisiana

Gretna’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving or demolition inside Gretna city

  • Permits must be obtained before work begins
  • No permit generally needed for interior painting, tiling, carpeting, exterior painting without scaffolding over public property, agricultural shade cloth structures, residential playhouses and swings, unless the building official sees hazardous or complex conditions
  • Exterior changes visible from the public right-of-way also need Historic District Commission review and a certificate of appropriateness
  • Trade work must be filed by city-licensed tradespeople

  “required permit(s) must be obtained before any work is begun.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Construction inside Gretna city; the city enforces the state building code and local building requirements

  • Specific code editions not stated on the page opened

  “the city of gretna building department is responsible for all permitting and inspections related to the enforcement of the state building code and local building requirements.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted work inside Gretna city; the city Building Department handles inspections

  • Inspection stages not listed on the page opened

  “the city of gretna building department is responsible for all permitting and inspections related to the enforcement of the state building code and local building requirements.”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Gretna city limits; Gretna administers its own Unified Development Code (Chapter 58) and official zoning map

  • Source is a 2021 hearing notice; the UDC itself was not opened

  “an ordinance amending the unified development code map, chapter 58, adopted by the city council on june 12, 2019”

• Zoning districtsPartial

  Zoning districts inside Gretna city; the notice names the two-family residential district (R-2) and an official zoning map

  • The full district list was not opened

  “as two-family residential district (r-2). authorizing and directing the planning director to alter and amend the official zoning map of the city of gretna.”

• Driveway accessLimited

  Driveway aprons and curb cuts on public right-of-way inside Gretna city

  • Consultation with Public Works and Planning and Zoning is required

  “sidewalks, driveway aprons and curb cuts, which are on public right of way, require consultation with the department of public works and planning and zoning.”

• Permit processPartial

  Building permit applications inside Gretna city

  • Select City of Gretna as the jurisdiction in the portal
  • A kiosk is available at the Building Department for residents without internet access
  • Phone: 504.363.1563
  • Detailed submittal requirements not reviewed

  “most of the department’s permitting and inspection processes are initiated online through the mgoconnect.org portal.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Gretna city
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy inside Gretna city
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Gretna city
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size inside Gretna city
• Setbacks — Setbacks inside Gretna city

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.

Off-grid gear

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

• Water Crystal Quest Filter any source — well, rain, or creek — to drinking-clean.
• Power Bluetti Solar generators and home battery backup for living off the grid.
• Septic Soil percolation test kit Run your own perc test before paying an engineer — the first thing a septic office asks about.
• Water Well water test kit Bacteria, nitrates, hardness — know what the well on a parcel is really pumping.

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