Bolthole Index

St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana

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

52Index Score / 100
#54 of 64 in Louisiana

Unincorporated St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana requires a building permit for residential new construction through the Department of Permits and Inspections1. The parish also has zoning, while on-site wastewater work goes through Environmental Services' Sewerage Inspection Permit program23. An owner may serve as builder for a primary residence, subject to the parish affidavit's conditions4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for residential new construction in unincorporated areas1
Zoning
Yes — confirm the parcel's published zoning classification25
Septic permit
Applicable systems require an online parish Sewerage Inspection Permit application3
RV living
A parish-wide private-land rule was not confirmed; ask Planning & Development26
Tiny home
Occupancy and minimum-size answers depend on rules for the parcel27
Owner-builder
Allowed for a primary residence, limited to one home in a two-year period4
Private well
Licensed installation and state registration are required8

Who to call

Building permits

St. Tammany Parish Department of Permits and Inspections

Building-code enforcement, permits and inspection questions

985-898-2574

21454 Koop Drive, Building B, Mandeville, LA 70471

Online permits →

Zoning

St. Tammany Parish Department of Planning & Development

Planning, zoning and parcel-specific land-use questions

985-898-2529

21454 Koop Dr Building B, Mandeville, LA 70471

Septic permits

St. Tammany Parish Department of Environmental Services

Sewerage Inspection Permit applications and on-site wastewater inspections

985-898-2535

[email protected]

21454 Koop Drive, Building B, Mandeville, LA 70471

Online permits →

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 28, 2026.

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

Yes. Unincorporated St. Tammany Parish requires a building permit for residential new construction through the Department of Permits and Inspections1. Louisiana requires parishes and municipalities to enforce the State Uniform Construction Code for covered work, with enforcement procedures that include plan review and permit decisions9. The parish office directs applicants to its online permit system and answers questions about applications, fees, inspections, flood zones and utility-connection permits10. An owner-builder path is available when the owner will occupy the single-family dwelling as a primary residence, but the parish affidavit limits that path to one single-family residence in a two-year period4.

Who is the St. Tammany Parish building department?

The St. Tammany Parish Department of Permits and Inspections handles building-permit and inspection questions10. Its office is at 21454 Koop Drive, Building B, Mandeville, LA 70471, and its listed phone number is 985-898-257410. The published application workflow starts at MyPermitNow, where a new applicant creates a customer account1110. Planning and zoning questions go to the separate Department of Planning & Development at 21454 Koop Dr Building B, Mandeville, LA 70471, phone 985-898-25296. Ask the building office which plan documents and reviews apply, and ask Planning & Development to confirm the parcel's zoning classification before finalizing a design106.

Does St. Tammany Parish have zoning?

Yes. St. Tammany Parish has a Unified Development Code, and the parish publishes mapped zoning classifications25. Louisiana law allows parish zoning to regulate structure size and height, lot occupancy, density, open space, and land and building uses12. Setbacks, height, lot coverage, RV use, tiny homes and minimum dwelling size therefore depend on the classification and rules for the specific parcel, not a single number that works parish-wide21314157. The Department of Planning & Development is the office to ask for a parcel-specific interpretation before purchase or design6.

How do septic permits work in St. Tammany Parish?

St. Tammany Parish Environmental Services administers the Sewerage Inspection Permit program and issues permits and conducts inspections for on-site wastewater systems1617. Applicable applications must be submitted online, and the parish page lists a $100 payment amount for checks and money orders318. Louisiana requires a permit before an individual sewerage system is installed, altered or operated, and a septic tank may be used only where a community sewer system is unavailable and sanitary-code requirements are met1920. Only about 1.2% of parish soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so make septic feasibility an early contingency21.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in St. Tammany Parish?

We could not confirm a parish-wide rule allowing long-term RV occupancy, temporary private-land camping or tiny-home occupancy in unincorporated St. Tammany Parish. Because the parish has zoning, ask Planning & Development whether the parcel's classification allows the proposed RV or tiny-home use and what placement, utility and dimensional rules apply26. Louisiana does not supply one statewide minimum dwelling size through the cited zoning authority; a size rule may instead come from the applicable local district7. State-park camping limits do not answer the private-property question because those limits apply to Office of State Parks facilities22. A tiny home used as a dwelling still needs an approved wastewater path where an individual system is involved19.

Building a home in St. Tammany Parish: steps in order

  1. Ask Planning & Development to confirm the parcel's zoning classification and proposed residential use65.
  2. Confirm sewer availability; if an individual system is needed, file the online Sewerage Inspection Permit application and arrange inspections31720.
  3. Create an online permit account and submit the building application through the parish workflow1110.
  4. If acting as builder, complete the affidavit and verify that its primary-residence and frequency conditions fit4.
  5. For access to a Louisiana state highway, obtain the signed and numbered state permit before construction23.
  6. Complete building and wastewater inspections; final wastewater approval requires installation verification1724.

What should you check before buying land in St. Tammany Parish?

Check zoning, sewer availability, septic feasibility, flood constraints and legal road access before the inspection period expires2202523. Conventional drain fields face severe soil limitations across nearly all of the parish, with only about 1.2% of soils rated without severe limitations21. Development in a regulatory floodway may need technical support showing no rise, while a project that causes a rise must be changed, compensated for or obtain a community-requested revision before permitting and development25. A new private well must be installed by a licensed contractor and registered with the state after completion, while domestic wells follow the cited post-installation notification exception8. The effective property-tax rate is about 0.7%, and the median annual bill is about $2,0052627.

Watch-outs

  • Owner-builders must intend to occupy the home as a primary residence and may use the affidavit path for no more than one single-family residence in a two-year period4.
  • We could not confirm one parish-wide answer for private-land RV living, tiny-home occupancy, minimum dwelling size or setbacks; ask Planning & Development about the exact parcel and use26.
  • A state-highway driveway needs a signed and numbered LaDOTD access permit before construction, while a parish-road process was not confirmed23.
  • Parish soils are overwhelmingly rated severely limited for conventional drain fields, so obtain a site-specific wastewater evaluation before relying on a parcel as buildable21.

Sources

  1. St. Tammany Parish Department of Permits and Inspections (2026 county census)
  2. Zoning Layer (2026 county census)
  3. Environmental Services, quoted and re-checked
  4. Homeowner / Builder Affidavit, quoted and re-checked
  5. Layer: Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  6. St. Tammany Parish Department of Planning & Development (stpgov.org)
  7. RS 33:4721 — Regulation of size and use of buildings (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 43, Part VI, §701 (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Louisiana Revised Statutes 40:1730.23 — Enforcement of building codes by municipalities and parishes (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. St. Tammany Parish Department of Permits and Inspections (stpgov.org)
  11. St. Tammany Parish Permits and Inspections, quoted and re-checked
  12. La. R.S. 33:4780.40 — Regulation authorized (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. RS 33:4721 — Regulation of size and use of buildings (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. RS 33:4721 — Regulation of size and use of buildings (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Environmental Services, quoted and re-checked
  17. Environmental Services, quoted and re-checked
  18. St. Tammany Parish Department of Environmental Services (stpgov.org)
  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. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  22. Louisiana Office of State Parks Policy and Procedure Memorandum #6 — Reservation Changes and Refunds (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. LaDOTD Access Connections Policy (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51, Part XIII, Public Health—Sanitary Code (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. State of Louisiana No Rise Certification Guidance (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 28, 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. Tammany Parish in Louisiana

52
County map
St. Tammany Parish highlighted among the Louisiana counties · colored by Index score

How St. Tammany Parish scores

Seclusion29100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency6899% ev.
Admin Boringness45100% ev.
Durability47100% ev.
Property Autonomy44100% ev.
Carry Cost65100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$288kTypical home
0.7%Property tax
$10,879Land / acre
64.4"Annual rain
5.8% of yrsSevere drought
5.9 / yr (+5.4)Mid-century 100°F days
15.8 daysMid-century dry spell
3.23" (+4%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.29×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$3,057Home insurance / yr
-1.5% / yrInsurance growth
4.39%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
120,332People within 30 min
3,304,227People within 2 hr
116,945Radius comparison (15 mi)
326People / sq mi
9.2%Federal land
100%Land at 15% slope or less
1.2%Septic soil without severe limits
4,908 acWorkable land screen
62%Wooded land
44.6 tonsBiomass / forest ac
67.7°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for St. Tammany Parish

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

St. Tammany Parish rules

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    An owner of a single-family dwelling who builds, subcontracts, repairs, or remodels the dwelling as a primary residence.

    • The owner must intend to occupy the dwelling as a primary residence.
    • The owner may build or subcontract no more than one single-family residence in a two-year period.
    • Non-owner work must be performed by a registered contractor and required permits must be obtained before work.
    • The owner assumes responsibility for code violations and fines.

    maximum primary residences built or subcontracted: per 1 residence per two-year period

    “In the event that a homeowner of a single family dwelling builds, subcontracts to build, repairs or remodels said dwelling to occupy that dwelling as his primary residence and builds or subcontracts no more than one single family residence in a two (2) year period, the licensing procedures of this code will not apply.”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Building-code enforcement by the Parish Permits and Inspections Department using state and local governing-agency codes.

    • The parish page states that the department enforces codes adopted by state and local governing agencies.
    • The page announces a building-code update effective January 1, 2023.
    “The mission of the Permits and Inspections Department is to serve the people of St. Tammany Parish by providing for the public’s health, welfare and safety through the enforcement of building codes and ordinances adopted by state and local governing agencies.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Structures subject to the UDC floodplain drainage requirements.

    • Before a certificate of occupancy is issued, the applicant or builder must submit an official survey confirming compliance.
    • The Engineering Department must conduct a final drainage inspection.
    • No certificate of occupancy may be issued until compliance is verified.
    “A final drainage inspection by the engineering department shall be conducted to verify compliance with these standards, and no certificate of occupancy shall be issued unless and until compliance has been verified.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Parish zoning classifications and zoning ordinances in unincorporated St. Tammany Parish, including de-annexed city parcels shown in the parish zoning layer.

    • The official zoning layer identifies classifications from zoning ordinances adopted by the St. Tammany Parish Council.
    • Incorporated municipalities may administer separate municipal zoning rules.
    “Zoning classifications are identified from zoning ordinances adopted by the St. Tammany Parish Council, including de-annexed city parcels.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Published Parish zoning classifications and GIS zoning polygons.

    • The official GIS layer states that classifications are created by the Parish Planning and Development Department and identified from ordinances adopted by the Parish Council.
    • The layer includes de-annexed city parcels.
    • The layer states that it was revised to reflect classifications adopted by Ordinance 24-5512 effective August 2, 2024.
    “This layer contains polygons representing zoning classifications created by the St. Tammany Parish Government Department of Planning & Development.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Parish zoning districts and classifications in unincorporated St. Tammany Parish.
      “This layer contains polygons representing zoning classifications created by the St. Tammany Parish Government Department of Planning & Development.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Zoning lots governed by the parish UDC.

    • Maximum lot coverage varies by district and may be lower when parking and landscape requirements require it.
    • The cited district limits principal and accessory-building coverage to 50 percent.

    maximum lot coverage: <= 50 percent of lot area (Parking and landscape requirements may make the maximum lower.)

    “The lot coverage of all principal and accessory buildings on a zoning lot shall not exceed 50 percent of the total area of the lot. However, parking and landscape requirements for the intended use must be met in all instances. Therefore, maximum lot coverage may in some cases be less.”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    On-site wastewater treatment systems and sewerage inspection permitting administered by St. Tammany Parish Environmental Services.

    • The parish page describes parish issuance of permits and conduct of inspections.
    • State requirements may also apply, but the county claim is limited to the parish-administered program.
    “The issuance of permits and the conduction of inspections of on-site wastewater treatment systems.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • County — Parish sewerage and on-site wastewater control, monitoring, inspection, and Sewerage Inspection Permit administration.
      “The issuance of permits and the conduction of inspections of on-site wastewater treatment systems.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Sewerage Inspection Permit applications for applicable sewerage systems in St. Tammany Parish.

    • All SIP applications must be made online.
    • Online payments were made available beginning June 1, 2023.
    • Cash, check, or money-order applications are accepted in person at the Environmental Services office.
    • The page states a $100 payment amount.

    SIP payment amount: 100 USD (cash, check, or money order accepted in person)

    “Sewerage Inspection Permit Program (SIP) - We have integrated with MyGovernmentOnline (MGO) to make online payments available for the SIP permit application, beginning June 1, 2023. All SIP applications must now be made online.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Sewerage and on-site wastewater systems subject to Parish Environmental Services oversight.

    • The Parish Department of Environmental Services is responsible for control, monitoring, and inspection of sewerage and water systems.
    • The precise inspection interval or system-specific exceptions were not established in the opened source.
    “The issuance of permits and the conduction of inspections of on-site wastewater treatment systems.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    New subdivisions with fifteen or more lots where the lots are less than five acres each.

    • A central water system is required for all new subdivisions meeting the stated lot-count and lot-size threshold.

    minimum lots: >= 15 lots · maximum lot size: < 5 acres

    “The enforcement of Parish regulations that require the establishment of a central water system for all new subdivisions that have fifteen or more lots which are less than five acres each.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Parish building-permit fee information.

    • The parish page identifies a permit-fee update beginning August 11, 2022.
    • The fee document itself could not be opened through the available web access, so current fee amounts were not extracted.
    “Update to Permit Fees - Starting August 11, 2022”
  • Permit processPartial

    Parish building and sewerage inspection permit processes.

    • Building permits are applied for through the Parish permits process and required inspections must be requested by the permit holder or authorized agent.
    • SIP applications must be made online through MyGovernmentOnline; in-person payment is available for cash, check, or money order.
    • The opened sources did not establish the complete end-to-end process for every permit type.
    “PERMITS HOW TO: 1. Go to www.mypermitnow.org 2. Click on green Customer Portal button 3. Click on green New Account button”

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.”
  • 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
  • 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”
  • 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”
  • 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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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 residential RV occupancy on private land in St. Tammany Parish.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land in St. Tammany Parish.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in St. Tammany Parish.
  • Manufactured homes — Manufactured-home occupancy in St. Tammany Parish.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units in St. Tammany Parish.
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. Tammany Parish, Louisiana

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

St. Tammany Parish scores 52/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: strong self-sufficiency basics: 64.4″/yr rainfall plus 62% wooded land and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: about 120,332 people within a 30-minute drive.

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

St. Tammany Parish generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by St. Tammany Parish Department of Environmental 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 St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana?

Land in St. Tammany Parish runs about $10,879 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in St. Tammany Parish?

St. Tammany Parish gets about 64.4" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 5.8% of years.

How remote is St. Tammany Parish?

A representative private-land location has about 120,332 people within a 30-minute drive and 3,304,227 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. Tammany Parish means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How St. Tammany compares in Louisiana

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