Bolthole Index

Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana

55Index Score / 100
#49 of 64 in Louisiana

Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana requires a building permit for new residential construction, and the parish Permits Department reviews new residential and commercial projects12. Parish zoning controls land uses and structure placement34. The parish Sanitarian section permits and inspects private individual wastewater systems5.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for new residential construction1
Zoning
Yes; uses and dimensional rules depend on the parcel's zoning classification34
Septic permit
Required through the parish Sanitarian section under state health rules56
Temporary RV
A parish temporary RV permit process applies; confirm the proposed use with Permits2
Tiny home
No parish-wide occupancy answer confirmed; ask Planning and Zoning for the parcel47
Owner-builder
A personal-residence licensure exemption is available with an affidavit and conditions8
Private well
A licensed driller and state registration are required; domestic wells follow post-installation notice rules9
Septic soil suitability
0% of mapped soils rate without severe limits for a conventional drain field10

Who to call

Building permits

Plaquemines Parish Permits Department

Residential renovations and repairs, new residential and commercial construction, trade permits, recreational vehicle permits and temporary RV parks

504-934-6195

333 F. Edward Hebert Blvd., Building 300, Belle Chasse, LA 70037

Zoning

Plaquemines Parish Planning & Zoning

Zoning inquiries and parcel zoning classifications

504-934-6130

[email protected]

333 F Edward Hebert Boulevard, Building 300, Belle Chasse, LA 70037

Septic permits

Plaquemines Parish Health Department — Sanitarian Services

Permits and inspections for individual wastewater treatment systems on private premises

504-934-6690

[email protected]

3706 Main Street, Belle Chasse, LA 70037

Building permits

Plaquemines Parish Permits Department — Building Procedure

Published application, plan, elevation-document and job-site procedures for building permits

(504) 934-6195

333 F. Edward Hebert, Suite 300, Belle Chasse, LA

Zoning

Plaquemines Parish Planning & Zoning — Zoning Information

Parcel zoning classifications, permitted uses and conditional uses

(504)934-6130

[email protected]

Septic permits

Plaquemines Parish Sanitarian Services — Wastewater

Individual wastewater treatment system permitting and inspection

504-934-6690

Building permits

Plaquemines Parish Permits Department — Temporary RV Permits

Temporary recreational vehicle permits and temporary RV park procedures

(504)934-6195

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 27, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana?

Yes. Plaquemines Parish requires a building permit for new residential construction, and its Permits Department reviews new residential and commercial construction along with residential renovations and repairs12. Louisiana's residential-code mandate covers new construction, reconstruction, additions to homes previously built to the International Residential Code, and extensive alterations11. The statewide code also requires inspections by a building-code enforcement officer or certified third-party provider for regulated residential and commercial structures12. The parish's published procedure says an owner acting as builder must submit an affidavit claiming exemption from licensure, and the personal-residence licensure exemption has specific conditions138.

Who is the Plaquemines Parish building department, and how do you reach it?

The Plaquemines Parish Permits Department handles residential repairs and renovations, new residential and commercial construction, electrical, mechanical and gas permits, RV permits, and temporary RV parks2. The Belle Chasse office is at 333 F. Edward Hebert Blvd., Building 300, Belle Chasse, and its main number is 504-934-61952. The published building-permit procedure calls for an application, project plans and supporting property documents, with extra elevation documentation where applicable13. Start with Permits before ordering plans so staff can identify which documents apply to the specific site and scope2.

Does Plaquemines Parish have zoning?

Yes. Plaquemines Parish zoning is regulated under Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance No. 142, and the rules address allowed land and building uses, structure placement, building size and height, parking, landscaping and signs34. Planning & Zoning says online zoning maps are unavailable, so contact the department with the property name, address or parcel number for its classification14. Uses may be permitted or conditional depending on that classification3. We could not confirm one parish-wide minimum home size, minimum lot size or setback schedule; ask Planning & Zoning at 504-934-6130 or [email protected] for the standards attached to the parcel's district7. A written zoning verification letter has a published $50 fee15.

How do septic permits work in Plaquemines Parish?

Plaquemines Parish's Sanitarian section permits and inspects individual wastewater treatment systems on private premises, and treatment-plant installations must be completed by a Louisiana state-licensed installer516. Louisiana requires state-health-officer approval and a permit before an individual sewerage system is installed, altered or operated6. A conventional septic tank system may be used only where community sewer is unavailable, while a mechanical plant may be considered when a conventional system would not work properly1718. This is a material site issue in Plaquemines Parish because 0% of mapped soils rate without severe limitations for a conventional drain field10. Contact Sanitarian Services at 504-934-6690 before choosing a house location or wastewater design19.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Plaquemines Parish?

Plaquemines Parish publishes a temporary RV permit process, but that process does not establish a general right to occupy an RV indefinitely on private land20. The temporary-RV instructions require an application and affidavit, a site plan showing utilities and setbacks, trade-permit documentation, inspections, and continued reporting during the permit's life20. Because Plaquemines Parish zoning controls land uses and structure placement, confirm both the parcel's zoning classification and the proposed occupancy with Planning & Zoning before buying or moving an RV onto the site47. We could not confirm a specific parish tiny-home occupancy rule or a parish-wide minimum dwelling size; ask Planning & Zoning whether the proposed unit qualifies as a dwelling and what district standards apply7.

Building a home in Plaquemines Parish: the steps, in order

  1. Ask Planning & Zoning to identify the parcel's zoning classification and permitted or conditional uses47.
  2. Ask the Permits Department which plans, surveys, ownership records and elevation documents apply to the site13.
  3. If community sewer is unavailable, contact Sanitarian Services for the required individual sewerage-system approval before installation61719.
  4. If a new driveway connects to a Louisiana state highway, obtain the signed and numbered state access permit before construction begins21.
  5. Submit the complete building-permit package and keep the permit placard and reviewed plans at the site as directed13.
  6. Schedule the required building and wastewater inspections, then provide the final documents required for occupancy122213.

What should you check before buying land in Plaquemines Parish?

Check zoning, wastewater, flood elevation, access and carrying costs before closing. Planning & Zoning can identify the classification because the parish says its zoning maps are not available online14. Conventional septic is a difficult assumption here: 0% of mapped soils rate without severe drain-field limitations, and individual systems require health approval106. The building-permit procedure calls for elevation certificates at multiple stages when applicable, including a final certificate before final inspection13. A state-highway driveway needs a separate state access permit21. Typical home insurance is about $4,353 a year, while the effective property-tax rate is about 0.5% and the median annual property-tax bill is about $1,275232425.

Watch-outs

  • Do not treat a temporary RV permit as permission for permanent RV occupancy; confirm the proposed duration and parcel zoning with Permits and Planning & Zoning207.
  • Plaquemines Parish's online zoning maps are unavailable, so obtain the parcel's classification from Planning & Zoning before relying on a listing or neighboring use14.
  • The parish building procedure requires elevation documentation when applicable, including a final elevation certificate before final inspection13.

Sources

  1. Plaquemines Parish - Permits (2026 county census)
  2. Plaquemines Parish Permits Department (plaqueminesparish.gov)
  3. Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  4. Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  5. Sanitarian Services, quoted and re-checked
  6. Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51, Part XIII, Public Health—Sanitary Code (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  7. Plaquemines Parish Planning & Zoning (plaqueminesparish.gov)
  8. Louisiana Revised Statutes §2157, quoted and re-checked
  9. Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 43, Part VI, §701 (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  11. Louisiana Revised Statutes 40:1730.23 — Enforcement of building codes by municipalities and parishes (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Louisiana Revised Statutes §1730.23, quoted and re-checked
  13. Plaquemines Parish Permits Department — Building Procedure (plaqueminesparish.gov)
  14. Plaquemines Parish Planning & Zoning — Zoning Information (plaqueminesparish.gov)
  15. Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  16. Plaquemines Parish Sanitarian Services — Wastewater (plaqueminesparish.gov)
  17. Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51, Part XIII, Public Health—Sanitary Code (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51, Part XIII, Public Health—Sanitary Code (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Plaquemines Parish Health Department — Sanitarian Services (plaqueminesparish.gov)
  20. Plaquemines Parish Permits Department — Temporary RV Permits (plaqueminesparish.gov)
  21. LaDOTD Access Connections Policy (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51, Part XIII, Public Health—Sanitary Code (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Typical home insurance premium: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 27, 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.

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County locator

Plaquemines Parish in Louisiana

55
County map
Plaquemines Parish highlighted among the Louisiana counties · colored by Index score

How Plaquemines Parish scores

Seclusion63100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency3494% ev.
Admin Boringness45100% ev.
Durability52100% ev.
Property Autonomy44100% ev.
Carry Cost8796% ev.

Evidence strength: 98%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$278kTypical home
0.5%Property tax
$2,130Land / acre
61"Annual rain
9.6% of yrsSevere drought
0.7 / yr (+0.7)Mid-century 100°F days
16.1 daysMid-century dry spell
3.66" (+6.1%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.19×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$4,353Home insurance / yr
0.8% / yrInsurance growth
0.68%Nonrenewal rate
single ZIP shrunk to state medianInsurance basis
282People within 30 min
706,151People within 2 hr
3,551Radius comparison (15 mi)
28.7People / sq mi
10.9%Federal land
100%Land at 15% slope or less
0%Septic soil without severe limits
0 acWorkable land screen
11.4%Wooded land
34 tonsBiomass / forest ac
69.9°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Plaquemines Parish

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Plaquemines Parish rules

  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Plaquemines Parish zoning regulation.

    • Zoning is regulated under Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance No. 142.
    • Specific uses may be permitted or conditional by zoning classification.
    “Plaquemines Parish zoning laws are regulated”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Local land-use zoning administered through Plaquemines Parish Planning and Zoning.

    • The parish page identifies zoning classifications, permitted uses, conditional uses, variances, and map changes.
    “What the land or buildings can be used for;”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Individual wastewater treatment systems on private premises in Plaquemines Parish.

    • The parish Sanitarian section permits and inspects the systems.
    • Installations must be performed by a Louisiana state-licensed installer.
    “the Sanitarian section permits and inspects individual wastewater treatment systems.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Individual wastewater treatment systems on private premises.

    • Inspection is performed by the parish Sanitarian section.
    “the Sanitarian section permits and inspects individual wastewater treatment systems.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

    Public utility service in Plaquemines Parish.

    • The parish Utilities Division operates and maintains water and sewer systems.
    • The source does not establish that every parcel must connect.
    “Our Utilities Division is responsible for the operation and maintenance of water and sewer”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and boundary changes in Plaquemines Parish.

    • Applications require a certified accurate survey, proof of ownership, an ordinance or resolution, and applicable variance requests.
    • Fees vary by subdivision type.
    • A complete application must undergo advertisement and departmental review.
    • At least forty-five days must pass after complete submittal before Parish Council consideration.
    • Specified divisions may be exempt from the full process but must be certified by Planning and Zoning.

    minimum time before Parish Council consideration: >= 45 days (after complete application submittal) · administrative fee for qualifying exempt division: 100 USD · recordation fee for qualifying exempt division: 125 USD

    “Any change to the boundary of a tract, parcel, or lot must be approved”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Access connections for temporary RV parks constructed along Louisiana Highway 23 in Plaquemines Parish.

    • A DOTD permit is required for access connection to ingress and egress on the state highway.
    • The requirement applies to both new and existing access.
    “Only upon possession of a signed and numbered Access Connection Permit Certificate may the applicant begin construction of an access connection.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Published fees for selected parish zoning and subdivision services.

    • The zoning-verification-letter fee is $50.
    • Subdivision fees vary by type; qualifying exempt divisions list separate administrative and recordation fees.

    zoning verification letter: 50 USD · qualifying exempt-division administrative fee: 100 USD · qualifying exempt-division recordation fee: 125 USD

    “A check for $50.00, made payable to “Plaquemines Parish Government””

Louisiana rules that apply here

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction subject to Louisiana’s State Uniform Construction Code, including mandatory residential-code-covered new construction, reconstruction, additions to homes previously built to the International Residential Code, and extensive alterations.

    • Municipalities and parishes administer permit issuance and may use certified third-party providers.
    • The cited residential-code enforcement mandate applies to new construction, reconstruction, additions to homes previously built to the International Residential Code, and extensive alterations.
    • Local permitting procedures and code enforcement remain administered by the applicable municipality or parish.

    extensive alteration threshold: > 50 percent of dwelling-unit area (The statute defines an extensive alteration as an alteration when the total area of all work areas exceeds fifty percent of the dwelling unit.)

    “Enforcement procedures by building code enforcement officers [...] shall include examination or review of plans, drawings, or specifications; [...] and the issuance, denial, or revocation of permits.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Construction subject to Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code enforcement by Louisiana parishes and municipalities.
      “Enforcement procedures by building code enforcement officers or third-party providers acting in the capacity of a building code enforcement officer shall include examination or review of plans, drawings, or specifications; the conducting of inspections; and the issuance, denial, or revocation of permits.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Owners of property supervising or assuming charge of construction, alteration, repair, improvement, movement, demolition, erection, or maintenance of their personal residence in Louisiana under the contractor-licensing exemption in La. R.S. 37:2157(A)(13).

    • The residence must be the homeowner's personal residence and the homeowner may not build more than one residence per year.
    • The one-year period commences on the date the certificate of occupancy is issued.
    • An owner may build more than one single-family dwelling during a one-year period only when an additional residence results from a change in the owner's legal marital status or employment status requiring relocation to another employment location more than fifty miles from the owner's personal residence.
    • An affidavit of exemption on a form provided by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors must be provided to obtain the building permit.
    • The owner-builder affidavit states that the house must be maintained as the owner's primary residence after issuance of the certificate of occupancy or completion of construction.
    • The exemption does not exempt licensable subcontractors from applicable licensure requirements.
    • Local and state health and life-safety code requirements continue to apply.
    • The official sources do not state a fee for the exemption or affidavit.

    maximum residences: 1 residence per one-year period (Additional single-family dwelling allowed when a change in legal marital status or employment status requires relocation more than 50 miles from the owner's personal residence.) · relocation distance: > 50 miles (Applies to the employment-relocation exception.) · one-year period start: date of issuance of certificate of occupancy

    “Owners of property who [...] assume charge of the construction [...] of their personal residences, if the homeowner does not build more than one residence per year.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — Owner-builder licensure exemption for an owner's personal residence.
      “if the homeowner does not build more than one residence per year.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    The Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code, including the International Residential Code, applies statewide to regulated construction, including new residential construction, reconstruction, additions to homes previously built to the International Residential Code, and extensive alterations.

    • The International Residential Code enforcement described by the statute is mandatory only for new construction, reconstruction, additions to homes previously built to the International Residential Code, and extensive alterations.
    • Appendix J, Existing Buildings and Structures, may be adopted and enforced only at the option of a parish, municipality, or regional planning commission.
    • The statute excludes Part I-Administration and VIII-Electrical from the International Residential Code adoption described in the excerpt.
    • The council's initial code became effective January 1, 2007.
    • The statute page identifies an amendment effective July 1, 2026.

    extensive alteration threshold: > >50 percent of dwelling-unit area (The statute defines an extensive alteration as one where the total area of all work areas exceeds fifty percent of the dwelling unit.) · initial code effective date: 2007-01-01 · listed amendment effective date: 2026-07-01

    “The applicable standards referenced in that code are included for regulation of construction within this state.”
    4 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — State construction codes applicable in Plaquemines Parish.
      “International Residential Code, not including Part I-Administration and VIII-Electrical.”
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Construction regulated by the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code statewide.
      “The commission shall evaluate, adopt, and amend only the latest editions of all of the following as the Uniform Construction Code:”
    • Partial — The Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code's statewide adoption of the International Building Code and its referenced standards for construction in Louisiana.
      “(1) International Building Code, not including Parts I-Administrative, and Chapter 27-Electrical. The applicable standards referenced in that code are included for regulation of construction within this state. The appendices of that code may be adopted as needed, but the specific appendix or appendices shall be referenced by name or letter designation at the time of adoption.”
    • Adopted — The Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code, including the International Residential Code, regulates construction statewide and applies to new residential construction, reconstruction, additions to homes previously built to the code, and extensive alterations.
      “The International Residential Code, not including Part I-Administration and VIII-Electrical. The applicable standards referenced in that code are included for regulation of construction within this state. The enforcement of such standards shall be mandatory only with respect to new construction, reconstruction, additions to homes previously built to the International Residential Code, and extensive alterations; however, a municipality, parish, or regional planning commission may enforce Appendix J of the code at its option.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Commercial and residential structures subject to Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code enforcement.

    • Inspections are conducted by a building code enforcement officer or certified third-party provider.
    • Except for roofing inspections, the inspector or provider must be present on site.
    • A certified third-party provider may accept location-verified geotagged photographs or videos for required roofing and reroofing inspections.
    • The parish, municipality, regional planning commission, or third-party provider administering the inspection may prescribe lawful fees.
    “For purposes of code enforcement pursuant to this Section, a building code enforcement officer or a certified third-party provider shall conduct all inspections of any commercial or residential structure and for all inspections, other than roofing inspections, shall be present on site for such inspections.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Commercial and residential building-code inspections in Louisiana, including Plaquemines Parish.
      “a building code enforcement officer or a certified third-party provider shall conduct all inspections of any commercial or residential structure”
    • Required — Inspections of residential structures for allowing occupancy or reconnecting utilities, and inspections performed under Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code enforcement.
      “an inspector shall conduct a building inspection using the requirements of the codes in effect for the locality”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    New residential construction in a parish or municipality enforcing the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code, particularly where a residential mortgage lender is involved.

    • The statute expressly addresses a certificate of occupancy issued by a local building official or third-party provider for new residential construction.
    • Upon receipt of that certificate, a lender providing a residential mortgage loan must file a copy in the parish conveyance records.
    • The homeowner must provide the lender a copy.
    • The lender may assess only a reasonable filing charge not exceeding the amount charged by the parish for filing the document.
    • If the construction-code provisions cease to be enforced in a parish, the statutory filing provisions become null and void there.
    • In areas where windblown-debris storm shutters are required, occupancy may be allowed upon an affidavit that the owner ordered the shutters; installation must occur within ninety days, followed by notification and final inspection.

    storm-shutter installation deadline: 90 days (Applies when occupancy is allowed under the storm-shutter affidavit provision.)

    “Upon receipt of the certificate of occupancy issued by a local building official or third-party provider for a new residential construction, a lender who provides a residential mortgage loan for the purchase of such new residential construction shall file a copy of the certificate of occupancy in the conveyance records of the parish where the new residential construction is located.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    Louisiana's statutory zoning framework: parish governing authorities may create zoning districts, while local authority over land-use and zoning requirements is reserved to parishes or municipalities.

    • The statute does not publish a statewide map or a complete list of actual district boundaries.
    • District regulations must be uniform for each class or kind of land and structure within a district, but may differ between districts.
    • Actual zoning districts and ordinances must be obtained from the applicable parish or municipality.
    “the governing authority of a parish may divide the parish into districts of such number, shape, and area as may be deemed best suited”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Municipal zoning districts in Louisiana; the state authorizes municipalities to regulate the size of structures, which may include dwelling-size standards, but does not establish one statewide minimum dwelling size in this provision.

    • Any actual minimum dwelling-size requirement must be found in the applicable municipality's zoning ordinance or district regulations.
    • Local zoning ordinances remain subject to the judicial-review standards stated in the statute.
    “size of structures”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Certain subdivisions outside incorporated areas consisting of single-family lots owned by one owner or co-owners, subject to the parish and population exclusions in R.S. 33:106.1(A).

    • Minimum lot area is 22,500 square feet.
    • Minimum frontage is 125 feet.
    • For nonrectangular lots with less than 125 feet frontage, average width must be 125 feet and frontage must be at least 60 feet.
    • Lots must support sewage-disposal systems and individual water systems meeting Louisiana Department of Health suitability requirements.
    • The statutory planning-commission exemption does not apply in the parishes listed in R.S. 33:106.1(A), municipalities within those parishes, or jurisdictions with a population greater than 300,000.
    • The exemption preserves planning-commission authority over utilities, drainage, sewerage disposal, and street-planning dimensions, composition, and alignment.

    minimum lot area: >= 22500 square feet · minimum frontage: >= 125 feet (Nonrectangular lots may have less than 125 feet frontage only if average width is 125 feet and frontage is at least 60 feet.)

    “minimum square footage of twenty-two thousand five hundred square feet, with a minimum width of one hundred twenty-five feet of frontage”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Municipal zoning districts in Louisiana; municipalities may regulate the size of yards, courts, and other open spaces, which can include setbacks.

    • The applicable setback is determined by the local zoning ordinance and district.
    • No statewide numerical setback is established by the cited statute.
    “size of yards, courts, and other open spaces”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Municipal zoning districts in Louisiana; municipalities may regulate the percentage of a lot that may be occupied.

    • The applicable lot-coverage percentage is determined by the local zoning ordinance and district.
    • No statewide numerical lot-coverage limit is established by the cited statute.
    “percentage of lot that may be occupied”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Municipal zoning districts in Louisiana; municipalities may regulate building height and number of stories.

    • The applicable height limit is determined by the local zoning ordinance and district.
    • No statewide numerical building-height limit is established by the cited statute.
    “height, number of stories”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation, alteration, or operation of any individual sewerage system in Louisiana, including septic tank systems.

    • A permit from the state health officer is required before installation, alteration, or operation.
    • Plans and specifications must be approved as part of the permit.
    • A temporary installation permit may issue only after the state health officer determines connection to a community-type sewerage system is not feasible and the soil, drainage, lot size/dimensions, and related factors are unlikely to create a nuisance or public health hazard.
    • Permits for lots in formal subdivisions require an official recorded plat/property survey filed with and approved by the Office of Public Health for individual sewerage use.

    permit stages: two-stage process

    “A person shall not install, cause to be installed, alter subsequent to installation, or operate an individual sewerage system of any kind without first having obtained a permit from the state health officer.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Use of individual or alternative onsite sewage systems instead of a community-type sewerage system in Louisiana.

    • Individual sanitation is allowed only when community-type sewerage is unavailable or connection is not feasible.
    • The system requires state-health-officer permitting and approved plans.
    • A conventional septic tank system may be used where community sewer is unavailable; an individual mechanical plant may be used only where community sewer is unavailable and the state health officer determines a conventional system would not function properly.
    • Innovative systems are limited to no more than three experimental or developmental installations statewide and require specifically approved plans, specifications, testing procedures, and a prior permit.

    experimental/developmental installations: <= 3 statewide maximum

    “The total number of such installations shall not exceed three throughout the state and shall be approved under the following conditions.”
  • Well permitLimited

    New water wells statewide in Louisiana, including wells outside critical groundwater areas, except the types specifically subject to post-installation notification or other exemptions.

    • All new water wells must be installed by a licensed water-well drilling contractor and registered through the Department of Transportation and Development within 30 days after completion.
    • Unless specifically listed in the exemptions, the owner must submit a water well notification form to the commissioner at least 60 days before installation.
    • Before construction begins, the drilling contractor must confirm that the Office of Conservation has received and responded to the installation notification.
    • Domestic wells, replacement wells, drilling rig supply wells, drought relief wells, and other wells exempted for just cause are subject to post-installation notification rules rather than the ordinary 60-day prior notification.
    • The commissioner reviews prior notifications within 30 days and may impose restrictions, request further information, or take no action; an additional 30-day review period may apply if further information is requested.
    • For large-volume wells or wells in a critical area of groundwater concern, the commissioner may fix allowable production, spacing, and metering; for other wells outside a critical area, an order may only fix spacing.
    • After written confirmation that no restrictions or further information are required, or when the owner accepts imposed restrictions, the owner need not wait the full 60 days and may begin drilling consistently with the notification and restrictions.

    prior notification period: 60 days (Does not apply to well types listed in LAC 43:VI §701.C and D.) · registration deadline after completion: 30 days (The applicable state registration requirement applies to all new water wells.) · additional review period if information requested: 30 days (Additional period begins when the requested information is received.)

    “require a water well notification form be submitted to the commissioner by the owner of the well at least 60 days prior to installation.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Agricultural-purpose subdivision regulation by parish planning commissions in Louisiana.

    • The statutory exclusion applies to parish planning regulations governing subdivision of land in unincorporated territory for purposes other than agricultural.
    • Municipal planning commissions are separately authorized to regulate subdivision within their jurisdictions; this claim does not establish a municipal agricultural exemption.
    • Other statutory rules may still apply, including utility, drainage, sewerage-disposal, and street-planning requirements for qualifying subdivisions under R.S. 33:106.1.
    “Before exercising the powers referred to in R.S. 33:110, a parish planning commission shall adopt regulations governing the subdivision of land within unincorporated territory within its jurisdiction for purposes other than agricultural.”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Proposed development in a regulatory floodway in Louisiana communities using the State of Louisiana no-rise certification guidance.

    • A no-rise certification with supporting technical data may be submitted when modeling shows 0.00 feet rise.
    • If the project causes a rise, it must be modified, compensated for, or proceed through a floodway revision.
    • Floodway revision requests must come from the community and be obtained before permit issuance and development.
    • The community official must review and approve the supporting data and engineering certification before issuing a permit.

    permitted modeled rise for no-rise certification: 0 feet

    “Requests for floodway revisions must come from the community and be obtained prior to the issuance of a permit and proceeding with the development.”
  • Permit processPartial

    State Fire Marshal plan review and related construction review for covered Louisiana buildings and projects; ordinary local building-permit issuance may be administered by a parish or municipality.

    • The Office of State Fire Marshal states that plan review is required for buildings to be constructed, renovated, repaired, or subject to an occupancy change.
    • The primary legal exceptions identified by the Office of State Fire Marshal are new or renovated one- or two-family dwellings; roof-surface replacement is treated as maintenance and does not require submittal.
    • A plan-review submission requires a completed application, plan-review fee, one set of drawings and specifications, applicable architect or civil-engineer stamp, and a brief description of intended building use.
    • Incomplete submissions requiring a professional of record are returned without review.
    • For LSUCCC plan review, the Office of State Fire Marshal reviews structures excluding one- and two-family dwellings on behalf of a parish or municipality that requests its assistance; applicants must determine whether the relevant parish or municipality has contracted with the office or made other arrangements.
    • Plans that do not satisfactorily comply must receive a letter listing requirements that must be met before plans can be stamped Reviewed and before construction or renovation can begin.
    • Review constitutes compliance with the cited statute if construction begins within 180 days of review.
    • The State Fire Marshal review letter does not authorize omissions or deviations from applicable laws, rules, regulations, and codes.

    construction start deadline after plan review: <= 180 days (Review constitutes compliance with the cited section if construction begins within this period.) · required plan-review submission: completed application; plan review fee; one set of drawings and specifications; applicable professional-of-record stamp; brief description of building use (Professional-of-record requirements do not apply to private single-family and duplex dwellings where the cited licensing law does not require them.)

    “A Plan Review is required for all buildings to be constructed, renovated, repaired or the occupancy changed.”
  • Campground & park staysProhibited

    Overnight camping on Louisiana public property that is not a designated campground.

    • The prohibition applies to public property owned or controlled by the state or any local or political subdivision.
    • Designated campgrounds are excluded from the prohibition.
    • Violation may result in a fine of not more than $500, imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.
    • The statute states an effective date of June 9, 2026.

    maximum fine: <= 500 USD · maximum imprisonment: <= 6 months

    “Unauthorized camping on public property is the intentional use of any tent [...] to permit overnight use on public property that is not a designated campground.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • county zoning authorityLimited

    Louisiana parish governing authorities' zoning authority over parish land, including unincorporated areas, under the statewide parish zoning enabling subpart.

    • The general parish zoning authorization excludes Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine, and Webster Parishes.
    • A parish may divide the parish into zoning districts, and regulations may differ between districts but must be uniform for each class or kind of land and structure within each district.
    • Zoning regulations must comply with the required comprehensive plan.
    • No regulation becomes effective until after a public hearing.
    • Notice must be published once a week in three different weeks in the official parish journal, with at least fifteen days between first publication and hearing.
    • At least ten days before the hearing, the parish must make a good-faith attempt to notify owners of record by certified mail; when more than ten parcels are zoned or rezoned, official-journal advertisement is adequate notice.
    • To use the powers of the subpart, the parish governing authority must appoint a zoning commission, which must hold a public hearing and issue its final report before the governing authority holds its public hearings or acts.

    excluded parishes: Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine, and Webster · publication interval: 3 different weeks · minimum elapsed time before hearing: >= 15 days · owner notice deadline: >= 10 days before hearing (Good-faith certified-mail notice; official-journal advertisement is adequate when more than ten parcels are zoned or rezoned.)

    “For the purpose of promoting the health, safety, morals, or general welfare of the community, the governing authorities of parishes, other than the parishes of Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine, and Webster, or their duly created boards of adjustment are hereby authorized to regulate and restrict the height, number of stories, and size of structures; the percentage of lots that may be occupied; courts and other open spaces; the density of population; and the location and use of the buildings, structures, and land for trade, industry, residence, or other purposes.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Louisiana parish governing authorities adopting zoning regulations affecting parish territory, including unincorporated areas.
      “the governing authorities of parishes, other than the parishes of Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine, and Webster, or their duly created boards of adjustment are hereby authorized”
  • county building authorityGeneral

    Louisiana parishes may enforce the statewide construction codes and administer building-code enforcement, including permits and inspections, in unincorporated areas.

    • Parishes must enforce only the construction codes provided in the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Part.
    • Enforcement includes plan review, inspections, and issuance, denial, or revocation of permits.
    • Each parish must appoint a council-certified building official or contract for those services so the unincorporated area is under the jurisdiction of a certified building official.
    • A parish may use a certified building inspector instead of a certified building official for no more than four years from the date the state uniform construction code becomes effective in the parish.
    • The statute preserves federal manufactured-housing requirements and Louisiana Manufactured Housing Commission jurisdiction for manufactured-home construction, installation, service, renovation, repair, and warranty work.
    • The statute page identifies an amendment effective July 1, 2026.

    temporary certified-inspector period: <= 4 years (Measured from the date the state uniform construction code becomes effective in the parish or municipality.)

    “all municipalities and parishes in this state shall enforce only the construction codes provided for in this Part.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • General — Louisiana parishes' authority and duty to enforce the state construction codes, including residential construction codes, through building-code enforcement officers or certified third-party providers.
      “Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary relating to the authority of local governments to enforce construction codes, all municipalities and parishes in this state shall enforce only the construction codes provided for in this Part. All municipalities and parishes shall use building code enforcement officers or certified third-party providers contracted by the municipality, parish, or regional planning commission to act in the capacity of a building code enforcement officer to enforce the provisions of this Part.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping generally, apart from the parish temporary RV permit program.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in Plaquemines Parish.
  • Manufactured homes — Manufactured-home occupancy in Plaquemines Parish.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory-dwelling occupancy in Plaquemines Parish.
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rental use in Plaquemines Parish.

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.

Living off-grid in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana

Is Plaquemines Parish a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Plaquemines Parish scores 55/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and sparse surroundings — about 282 people within a 30-minute drive. Watch-outs: strong self-sufficiency basics: 61″/yr rainfall with little drought.

Do you need a building permit in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana?

Plaquemines Parish generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health - Plaquemines Parish Health Unit (Sanitarian Services). Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana?

Land in Plaquemines Parish runs about $2,130 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Plaquemines Parish?

Plaquemines Parish gets about 61" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 9.6% of years.

How remote is Plaquemines Parish?

A representative private-land location has about 282 people within a 30-minute drive and 706,151 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

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

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How Plaquemines compares in Louisiana

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