Bolthole Index

St. Martin Parish, Louisiana

Building permits, zoning and land rules in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana

63Index Score / 100
#39 of 64 in Louisiana

Unincorporated St. Martin Parish, Louisiana requires building permits for new construction, repairs and electrical work through the parish Building Permits Department12. The parish administers its own Uniform Construction Code ordinance and zoning districts34. Onsite wastewater is administered under the Louisiana Department of Health, with local sewer-system matters directed to the Office of Public Health/Sewer Systems56.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for new construction, repairs and electrical work1
Zoning
Yes; parish-wide zoning ordinance with agricultural, residential, commercial and industrial districts7
Septic
State-permitted (Louisiana DOH) through the parish Office of Public Health/Sewer Systems8
Owner-builder exemption
Yes for an owner's personal residence, limited to one residence per year9
Minimum lot size (exempt single-family subdivisions)
22,500 sq ft with 125 ft of frontage where the statutory exemption applies10
Driveway on a state highway
LaDOTD Access Connection Permit required before construction11
Setbacks, height & lot coverage
Set district by district in the parish zoning ordinance, not one parish-wide number1213

Who to call

Building permits

St. Martin Parish Building Permits Department

Building, electrical and repair permits for new construction in unincorporated St. Martin Parish, under the parish's Uniform Construction Code ordinance

(337) 394-9816

303 West Port Street, St. Martinville, LA

Zoning

St. Martin Parish Planning and Zoning Department

Subdivision plan review and approval, property-standards violations, zoning, and enforcement of the parish zoning ordinance

(337) 394-9816

303 West Port Street, St. Martinville, LA 70582

Septic permits

St. Martin Parish Office of Public Health/Sewer Systems

New or updated septic/sewer system permits for St. Martin Parish

(337) 394-6134

303 Port Street, St. Martinville, LA

Also useful

St. Martin Parish 911 Center

Assigns the official property address needed before any building, electrical or septic permit can be issued

(337) 394-2800

4870 Main Highway, St. Martinville, LA

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 29, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana?

Yes: unincorporated St. Martin Parish requires building permits for new construction, repairs and electrical work1. St. Martin Parish identifies its Uniform Construction Code as a parish ordinance, and all construction inspections are carried out by Building Code Inspection Services, LLC, a third-party provider under contract to the parish32. Louisiana's code-enforcement mandate covers new construction, reconstruction, additions to homes previously built to the International Residential Code, and extensive alterations covering more than 50% of a dwelling's area14. Louisiana also exempts an owner supervising work on a personal residence from contractor licensing, limited to one residence per year; that exemption does not erase the parish permit and inspection process91.

Who is the St. Martin Parish building department, and how do you reach them?

The St. Martin Parish Building Permits Department, at 303 West Port Street, St. Martinville, handles new construction, repair and electrical permits; call (337) 394-98162. The Planning and Zoning Department, in the same building, handles subdivision review, property-standards enforcement and zoning, and shares the same line15. Onsite wastewater is administered under the Louisiana Department of Health, while local sewer-system matters go to the Office of Public Health/Sewer Systems at 303 Port Street, St. Martinville, (337) 394-6134516. The parish's published permit sequence starts with a new address from the 911 Center and then directs applicants to Building Permits or Public Health/Sewer Systems as appropriate6.

Does St. Martin Parish have zoning?

Yes. St. Martin Parish publishes agricultural, residential, commercial, industrial and W-series zoning districts, with use rules organized by district4. The Planning and Zoning Department administers zoning and subdivision review15. Louisiana law lets a parish divide land into districts and regulate structure height, lot occupancy, and building and land use, but the actual setbacks, height limits and lot coverage depend on local district rules rather than one statewide number17121318. Before designing a house, tiny home or accessory structure, ask Planning and Zoning to identify the parcel's district and the use and dimensional standards that apply15.

How do septic permits work in St. Martin Parish?

Onsite wastewater in St. Martin Parish is administered under the Louisiana Department of Health, and the parish's permit directions send sewer-system matters to the Office of Public Health/Sewer Systems56. Louisiana requires a permit before anyone installs, alters or operates an individual sewerage system19. A septic tank system may be used only where a community sewer system is unavailable, and final approval requires either an on-site inspection or a licensed installer's certification submitted within 15 days after completion2021. Only about 2.9% of St. Martin Parish soils rate free of severe limits for a conventional drain field, so a buyer should allow for site evaluation and the possibility of an engineered or alternative system22.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in St. Martin Parish?

No parish page confirms a rule for living in an RV on your own land in St. Martin Parish; that gap is unconfirmed, not a green light, so ask the Planning and Zoning Department about your specific parcel and district before you try it157. The parish does publish subdivision regulations specifically for developing a mobile home park, which is a different question from placing a single manufactured home on your own lot15. Louisiana leaves minimum dwelling size and setbacks to each municipality's or parish's own zoning district, so there's no single statewide answer either2312. If you're considering platting a small single-family subdivision outside an incorporated area, state law sets a minimum lot area of 22,500 square feet with at least 125 feet of frontage for the statutory exemption to apply, subject to parish and population exclusions10.

Building a home in St. Martin Parish: the steps, in order

  1. Get your official property address from the 911 Center, 4870 Main Highway, St. Martinville, (337) 394-2800, before applying for any permit24.
  2. Confirm your parcel's zoning district with the Planning and Zoning Department at (337) 394-9816, since setbacks, dwelling size and lot coverage all depend on your specific district1512.
  3. Apply for your septic/sewer permit through the parish's Office of Public Health/Sewer Systems, (337) 394-6134, before or alongside your building permit; a septic tank system may only be used where community sewer isn't available1620.
  4. Apply for your building, electrical or sewer-related construction permit through the Building Permits Department, (337) 394-9816, 303 West Port Street, St. Martinville2.
  5. Schedule your inspections with Building Code Inspection Services, LLC, the parish's contracted third-party inspector, at each required phase2.
  6. After septic installation, make sure your installer submits the completed Certification by Installer form, or arrange an on-site inspection, within 15 days of completion so the state can issue final approval21.
  7. If your driveway connects to a state highway, get a signed and numbered LaDOTD Access Connection Permit before you begin any construction in the right-of-way11.

What to check before you buy land in St. Martin Parish

St. Martin Parish's soils are difficult for septic: only about 2.9% rate free of severe limits for a conventional drain field, so plan on a site evaluation and likely an alternative system22. The parish is flat and wet: 100% of its land sits at 15% slope or less, and 66.2% is wooded, with 62 inches of annual precipitation, well above the national average252627. Check the flood zone and any regulatory floodway status for a specific parcel before you buy: new development in a floodway generally needs a no-rise certification showing 0 feet of modeled rise, or a floodway revision obtained before the permit issues28. The parish sits about 16 miles from the nearest city of 100,000 or more people, with a population density around 69.2 people per square mile2930. Typical property tax runs about 0.4% of value, with a median bill near $610 a year, well below the national average3132.

Watch-outs

  • Louisiana's owner-builder exemption is a contractor-licensing exemption for an owner's personal residence, limited to one residence per year; St. Martin Parish building permits and inspections still apply91.
  • No parish page confirms whether you can live in an RV on your own unincorporated land; that's an open question, not a confirmed yes, so check with the Planning and Zoning Department for your specific parcel first15.

Sources

  1. St. Martin Parish - Building Permits (2026 county census)
  2. St. Martin Parish Building Permits Department (stmartinparish.net)
  3. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  4. St. Martin Parish Zoning Ordinance, Articles III-VII, quoted and re-checked
  5. Bureau of Sanitarian Services, quoted and re-checked
  6. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  7. St. Martin Parish Zoning Ordinance (2026 county census)
  8. Louisiana Department of Health - Onsite Wastewater Program (2026 county census)
  9. Louisiana Revised Statutes § 37:2157 — Exemptions (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. RS 33:106.1 — Planning commissions; exempt subdivisions; septic tanks and field drains permitted (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. LaDOTD Access Connections Policy (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. RS 33:4721 — Regulation of size and use of buildings (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. RS 33:4721 — Regulation of size and use of buildings (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Louisiana Revised Statutes 40:1730.23 — Enforcement of building codes by municipalities and parishes (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. St. Martin Parish Planning and Zoning Department (stmartinparish.net)
  16. St. Martin Parish Office of Public Health/Sewer Systems (stmartinparish.net)
  17. Louisiana Laws — creation of parish zoning districts (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. RS 33:4721 — Regulation of size and use of buildings (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51, Part XIII, Public Health—Sanitary Code (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51, Part XIII, Public Health—Sanitary Code (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51, Part XIII, Public Health—Sanitary Code (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  23. RS 33:4721 — Regulation of size and use of buildings (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. St. Martin Parish 911 Center (stmartinparish.net)
  25. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  28. State of Louisiana No Rise Certification Guidance (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  29. Distance to the nearest metro area: Bolthole Index county data
  30. Population density: Bolthole Index county data
  31. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  32. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 29, 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

St. Martin Parish in Louisiana

63
County map
St. Martin Parish highlighted among the Louisiana counties · colored by Index score

How St. Martin Parish scores

Seclusion53100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency64100% ev.
Admin Boringness4290% ev.
Durability55100% ev.
Property Autonomy44100% ev.
Carry Cost88100% 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 →

$178kTypical home
0.4%Property tax
$3,630Land / acre
62"Annual rain
8.2% of yrsSevere drought
2.8 / yr (+2.6)Mid-century 100°F days
15.6 daysMid-century dry spell
3.17" (+6.2%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.28×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,388Home insurance / yr
0.8% / yrInsurance growth
1.94%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
29,407People within 30 min
2,426,270People within 2 hr
45,581Radius comparison (15 mi)
69.2People / sq mi
1.4%Federal land
100%Land at 15% slope or less
2.9%Septic soil without severe limits
11,989 acWorkable land screen
66.2%Wooded land
51.4 tonsBiomass / forest ac
68.6°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for St. Martin Parish

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

St. Martin Parish rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Building-code administration by St. Martin Parish Government.

    • The parish page identifies the Uniform Construction Code as an ordinance, but the linked ordinance text was inaccessible during this run.
    “Uniform Construction Code-Ordinance No.11-02-0940-OR”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Parish zoning districts and district-specific use regulations.

    • The ordinance references an appendix containing zoning district regulations.
    “A-1 [...] A-2 [...] C-1 [...] C-2 [...] C-3 [...] W-1 [...] W-2 [...] W-3 [...] R-1 [...] R-1R [...] R-2 [...] R-3 [...] R-4 [...] I-1 [...] I-2 [...] I-3 [...] I-4”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Published parish process for building, electrical, and sewer permits.

    • Applicants are directed first to apply for a new address through the 911 Center, then to the Building Permits Department; sewer-system matters are directed to the Office of Public Health/Sewer Systems.
    “Steps to obtaining a building, electrical or sewer permit [...] Apply for new address: [...] 911 Center [...] Building Permits Department [...] Office of Public Health/Sewer Systems”
  • County-wide zoningPresent

    The parish has adopted a Parish Zoning Ordinance administered by Planning & Zoning governing land use in unincorporated areas.

    St. Martin Parish Zoning Ordinance ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

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.”
  • 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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • 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
  • 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”
  • Who permits septicState

    Statewide regulation of individual sewerage systems in Louisiana.

    • The Louisiana sanitary code assigns permitting and approval decisions to the state health officer.
    • The rule is promulgated under R.S. 40:4(A)(6) and R.S. 40:5(9)(20).
    “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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • State (with conditions) — Onsite wastewater and sanitary-code administration affecting St. Martin Parish.
      “An official website of the State of Louisiana. [...] Onsite Wastewater Program”
  • 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.”
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    Final approval of individual sewerage system installations in Louisiana.

    • Final approval requires verification that the system was installed in compliance with the code.
    • Verification may be by an on-site inspection by a representative of the state health officer and/or a completed Certification by Installer from the licensed installer.
    • The installer must notify the appropriate local Parish Health Unit before installation.
    • The certification must be submitted within 15 days after completion.

    certification submission deadline: 15 days after completion

    “A final permit approving the installation, shall be issued only upon verification that the individual sewerage system has been installed in compliance with this code. The verification of such installation shall be determined by means of an on-site inspection conducted by a representative of the state health officer and/or in the form of a completed "Certification by Installer" form submitted to the state health officer by the licensed installer.”
  • 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.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Residential or other individual sewerage-system sites governed by Louisiana Title 51 Part XIII.

    • A temporary individual-system permit may not issue until connection to a community-type sewerage system is determined not feasible.
    • A septic tank system may be used only where a community-type sewerage system is not available and the applicable code requirements are met.
    “Where a community-type sewerage system is not available, a septic tank system may be used provided that the requirements of §§511.B, 701, 703.A, and 705 are complied with.”
  • 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.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision regulation under Louisiana's statutory framework, administered through parish and municipal planning commissions.

    • A parish planning commission must adopt subdivision regulations before exercising its statutory powers; parish regulations apply to subdivision of land in unincorporated territory for purposes other than agricultural.
    • A municipal planning commission must adopt regulations before exercising its statutory powers, and municipal regulations apply within the municipality.
    • A planning commission generally must approve or disapprove a plat within 60 days, unless the applicant waives the requirement and consents to an extension.
    • The statutory framework allows local regulations concerning street arrangement, lot dimensions, utilities, drainage-related utility and sewerage requirements, improvements, and bonds or surety.
    • R.S. 33:106.1 limits planning-commission jurisdiction over specified qualifying subdivisions, while preserving requirements for utilities, drainage including sewerage disposal, and street planning dimensions, composition, and alignment.

    plat decision period: 60 days (Applicant may waive the requirement and consent to an extension.) · hearing notice: >= 5 days (Notice by certified mail and publication requirements apply; certain public-hearing waivers may be authorized by official subdivision regulations.)

    “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. Before exercising the powers referred to in R.S. 33:110 a municipal planning commission shall adopt regulations governing the subdivision of land within its jurisdiction.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Access connections or driveways connecting property to a Louisiana state highway and involving work in LaDOTD right-of-way.

    • The requirement applies to state-highway access connections; access to non-state local roads may instead be governed by the local government.
    • The permit certificate must be signed and numbered before construction begins.
    • Additional design, drainage, traffic-study, inspection, bonding, and restoration conditions may apply.
    “Only upon possession of a signed and numbered Access Connection Permit Certificate may the applicant begin construction of an access connection.”
  • 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 feesPublished (with conditions)

    State Fire Marshal plan-review or document fees for projects whose plans and specifications are submitted to the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal, Code Enforcement and Building Safety.

    • A $5 postage and handling fee applies in addition to the plan-review or document fee.
    • Fees vary by occupancy classification, project area, number of sprinkler heads or other devices, appeal type, and review type.
    • The statute provides a first-submission exemption from all other charges for state and local political subdivisions; subsequent submissions require the fees.
    • Performance-based reviews cost twice the applicable review fee plus an additional $100, with a stated $50 resubmission amount for smoke-control and timed-egress reviews.

    postage and handling fee: 5 USD (Does not apply to exemption requests and facsimile transmissions.) · assembly occupancy plan review fee for area 0-2500 square feet: 30 USD · educational occupancy plan review fee for area 0-5000 square feet: 30 USD · hotels, dormitories, apartments, lodgings, rooming houses, and residential or board care facilities plan review fee for area 0-2500 square feet: 30 USD · mercantile/business plan review fee for area 0-3000 square feet: 30 USD · industrial, storage, and special structures plan review fee for area 0-10000 square feet: 30 USD

    “In addition to a postage and handling fee of five dollars, the owner of the project who submits the plans and specifications shall pay to the office of state fire marshal, code enforcement and building safety a plan review or document fee based on the following schedule:”
  • 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.

  • Living in an RV — Long-term or permanent RV occupancy on private land.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy.
  • Manufactured homes — Manufactured-home occupancy.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units.
1 more unanswered
  • 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.

Living off-grid in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana

Is St. Martin Parish a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

St. Martin Parish scores 63/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and strong self-sufficiency basics: 62″/yr rainfall plus 66.2% wooded land.

Do you need a building permit in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana?

St. Martin Parish generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) Onsite Wastewater Program, via St. Martin Parish Health Unit. 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 St. Martin Parish, Louisiana?

Land in St. Martin Parish runs about $3,630 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in St. Martin Parish?

St. Martin Parish gets about 62" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 8.2% of years.

How remote is St. Martin Parish?

A representative private-land location has about 29,407 people within a 30-minute drive and 2,426,270 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 St. Martin Parish means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How St. Martin compares in Louisiana

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