Terrebonne Parish, LA Building Permits, Zoning & Septic

Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana requires a building permit for new construction, additions, decks, structures and fences, issued by the parish's own Permits Division¹. The parish also runs its own zoning ordinance, codified in Chapter 28 of the Terrebonne Parish Code of Ordinances, that governs how land can be used and where structures sit on a lot². Septic systems are a state matter here: the Louisiana Department of Health, through the Terrebonne Parish Health Unit, permits and inspects every onsite sewage system rather than the parish itself³.

At a glance

Building permit: Required for new construction, additions, decks, structures and fences, issued by the Parish Permits Division¹
Zoning: Parish-wide zoning ordinance (Chapter 28) sets allowed uses, setbacks and structure placement²
Septic permits: Louisiana Department of Health, Terrebonne Parish Health Unit; parish government does not issue septic permits³
Owner-builder exemption: Available statewide: an owner can build their own primary residence without a contractor license (one residence per year) by filing a notarized affidavit; a building permit is still required⁴
Water wells: A licensed water-well drilling contractor must install and register a new well; domestic wells use the state's post-installation notification process⁵
Septic soil difficulty: 0% of the parish's soils are free of severe limits for a conventional drain field⁶
Flood zone review: A dedicated Floodplain Administrator reviews Special Flood Hazard Area maps and elevation questions for the parish⁷
RV / mobile home placement: The parish publishes a Recreational Vehicle Affidavit and a Mobile Home Permit application; confirm parcel-specific occupancy and zoning limits before buying⁸⁹

Who to call

Building permits

Terrebonne Parish Permits Division (Department of Planning & Zoning)

Building permits for commercial and residential construction, additions, mobile home placement, solar installation, plus mobile home and recreational vehicle placement affidavits, for Terrebonne Parish

(985) 873-6567

[email protected]

Government Tower, 8026 Main Street, Suite 100, Houma, LA 70360

Online permits →

Zoning

Terrebonne Parish Zoning and Land Use (Department of Planning & Zoning)

Zoning district determinations, setbacks, accessory structure and fence rules, home occupation and special exception review, and zoning violation complaints for Terrebonne Parish

(985) 873-6793

[email protected]

Government Tower, 8026 Main Street, Suite 202, Houma, LA 70360

Floodplain permits

Terrebonne Parish Floodplain Management

Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Special Flood Hazard Area determinations, elevation certificates, and floodplain development questions for Terrebonne Parish

(985) 873-6567

[email protected]

Government Tower, 8026 Main Street, Suite 100, Houma, LA 70360

Health department

Louisiana Department of Health - Terrebonne Parish Health Unit

Onsite sewage (septic) system permitting and inspection, plus Environmental Health, Vital Records and clinic services, for Terrebonne Parish

985.857.3601

600 Polk Street, Houma, LA 70360

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 Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana?

Yes. Terrebonne Parish requires a building permit before construction, and that requirement covers additions, decks, structures and fences, not just new houses¹. The parish's Permits Division confirms this scope directly: permits cover new construction of primary and/or additional structures, additions to existing structures, mobile home placement, and solar panel installation⁸. That local requirement sits on top of Louisiana's State Uniform Construction Code, which the parish enforces¹¹⁰. State law also defines when a renovation counts as new construction for code purposes: an alteration is treated as extensive, and must meet current code, once the total area of all work areas exceeds fifty percent of the dwelling unit¹¹. Fences fall under zoning as much as building code: on most residential lots, the Zoning Ordinance only allows a fence or wall of 4 feet or less in the front yard, with different limits in side and rear yards⁹.

Who is the Terrebonne Parish building department, and how do you reach them?

The Terrebonne Parish Permits Division, part of the Department of Planning & Zoning, is at Government Tower, 8026 Main Street, Suite 100, Houma, LA 70360, phone (985) 873-6567⁸. Applications can be submitted in person to the Permit Office from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, or online at any time⁸. If you're placing a mobile home or a recreational vehicle rather than building a conventional house, this same office is still the right first call: it maintains a separate Mobile Home Permit process and a Recreational Vehicle Affidavit, distinct from a standard building permit⁸. Zoning is handled by a separate office in a different suite of the same building, covered next⁹.

Does Terrebonne Parish have zoning?

Yes. Terrebonne Parish has adopted zoning regulations, codified as Chapter 28 of the Parish Code of Ordinances, and administered by the parish's own Zoning Department²⁹. Those regulations specify whether property can be used for residential, commercial or industrial purposes, and also regulate the placement, bulk and height of structures on a lot⁹. Louisiana law authorizes parish zoning districts, but Terrebonne Parish's zoning district for a specific parcel supplies the practical answer on allowed uses and setbacks¹²⁹. A separate state rule sets a 22,500-square-foot lot area and 125-foot frontage for certain qualifying exempt subdivisions outside incorporated areas; that conditional rule is not a general minimum for every parcel¹³. The Zoning Department also regulates accessory structures and requires a building permit before construction⁹. Ask that office to confirm the parcel's district, setbacks, minimum dwelling size and whether a proposed tiny home is an allowed dwelling before relying on a listing description⁹.

How do septic permits work in Terrebonne Parish?

Septic permitting in Terrebonne Parish is not a parish function at all: it runs through the Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health, via the Terrebonne Parish Health Unit³¹⁴. Statewide, nobody may install, alter, or operate an individual sewerage system, including a septic tank system, without first obtaining a permit from the state health officer, and plans and specifications must be approved as part of that permit¹⁵. A septic tank system can only be used where a community-type (municipal) sewer system is not available¹⁶. Final approval requires either an on-site inspection by a state representative or a completed "Certification by Installer" form from a licensed installer, submitted within 15 days after the work is finished¹⁷. Soils make this section matter more than almost anywhere else on Bolthole Index: 0% of Terrebonne Parish's soils are free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, reflecting how much of the parish sits low or below sea level⁶⁷. In practice, that pushes many properties toward an individual mechanical treatment plant instead of a standard gravity system; Louisiana allows those only where community sewer is unavailable and the state health officer determines a conventional system wouldn't function properly, so budget for that state review as part of your site evaluation¹⁸.

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

Terrebonne Parish is unusual among the counties on this site in that it has its own forms for exactly this situation: the Permits Division's building-permit resources include a Recreational Vehicle Affidavit and a separate Mobile Home Permit application, alongside the standard residential building permit⁸. That means placing an RV or mobile home on your land is a recognized, permitted process here rather than an unaddressed gap, but the specific limits, such as how long you can live in an RV before it counts as a permanent dwelling, or what zoning districts allow it, aren't spelled out on the office's own summary page reviewed for this guide⁸. Because zoning controls structure placement and use across the parish, the safest path is to call the Permits Division or the Zoning Department directly with your parcel's address before you buy land expecting to live in an RV or mobile home while you build⁸⁹.

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

First, check your parcel's zoning district with the Zoning Department, since it determines what you can build, required setbacks, and accessory-structure rules⁹. Second, find out whether your site is in the Special Flood Hazard Area by contacting the Floodplain Administrator; there's no charge for this, and it affects whether you'll need an elevation certificate before you can apply for a permit⁷. Third, confirm sewer availability: if municipal sewer isn't available, get your site evaluated and apply for your septic permit through the Louisiana Department of Health's Terrebonne Parish Health Unit before finalizing your house design, since 0% of the parish's soils are free of severe septic limitations¹⁴⁶. Fourth, if you're doing the work yourself, file the notarized owner-builder affidavit to build your own primary residence without a contractor license, limited to one residence per year; a building permit is still required either way⁴. Fifth, submit your building permit application to the Permits Division, in person from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday or online at any time⁸. Sixth, if your driveway or any work will touch a Louisiana state highway right-of-way, apply for and receive a signed, numbered Access Connection Permit Certificate from LaDOTD before starting construction¹⁹. Finally, schedule your final septic inspection or installer certification, due within 15 days of completing the work¹⁷.

What to check before you buy land in Terrebonne Parish

Flooding and soils are the two things to take seriously here. Much of Terrebonne Parish sits low or below sea level, and flooding from rain, hurricanes and storm surge threatens the parish⁷. Annual precipitation is about 61.4 inches, while severe drought occurs in about 9.7% of years²⁰²¹. Terrain is flat: 100% of the parish is at 15% slope or less, but 0% of its soils are rated free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field²²⁶. Confirm the Special Flood Hazard Area status with the Floodplain Administrator before buying⁷. For a new private water well, Louisiana requires a licensed water-well drilling contractor and state registration after completion; domestic wells follow the state's post-installation notification rules⁵. The typical home insurance premium is about $3,156 a year, the typical home value is about $184,739, the effective property-tax rate is about 0.5%, and the median property-tax bill is about $852 a year²³²⁴²⁵²⁶.

Watch-outs

The parish building-permit page lists coastal impact and coastal use among its permit resources; ask the Permits Division whether a separate coastal review applies before clearing or filling a site⁸.
The Permits Division's Recreational Vehicle Affidavit and Mobile Home Permit forms show that RVs and mobile homes are an established, permitted use in the parish, but this guide could not confirm specific occupancy-length or zoning-district limits from an official page; ask the Permits Division directly before you buy⁸.
With 0% of the parish's soils free of severe septic limitations, assume you'll need a full site evaluation, and possibly a mechanical treatment plant, before you commit to a specific parcel⁶.

Sources

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.

How Terrebonne Parish scores

Seclusion70100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency4998% ev.

Admin Boringness46100% ev.

Durability52100% ev.

Property Autonomy44100% ev.

Carry Cost84100% 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 →

$185kTypical home

0.5%Property tax

$4,411Land / acre

61.4"Annual rain

9.7% of yrsSevere drought

1.2 / yr (+1.2)Mid-century 100°F days

15.8 daysMid-century dry spell

3.59" (+7.1%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.21×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$3,156Home insurance / yr

2.9% / yrInsurance growth

2.04%Nonrenewal rate

county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis

3,687Radius comparison (15 mi)

84.3People / sq mi

0.6%Federal land

100%Land at 15% slope or less

0%Septic soil without severe limits

0 acWorkable land screen

18%Wooded land

52.1 tonsBiomass / forest ac

70°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Terrebonne Parish

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

Terrebonne Parish rules

County-wide zoningPresent
The parish has adopted zoning regulations (Chapter 28 of the Code of Ordinances) administered by the Planning & Zoning Department, governing residential/commercial/industrial use and structure placement.
Terrebonne Parish Code - Chapter 28 Zoning ↗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.”
Louisiana Revised Statutes 40:1730.23 — Enforcement of building codes by municipalities and parishes ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
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.”
  R.S. 40:1730.23 — Enforcement of building codes by municipalities, parishes, and the fire marshal ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
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.”
Louisiana Revised Statutes § 37:2157 — Exemptions ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
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.”
RS 40:1730.28. Mandatory adoption of nationally recognized codes and standards as the state uniform construction code ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
3 more reviewed findings on this topic
- 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:”
  Louisiana Revised Statutes § 40:1730.28 ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
- 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.”
  Louisiana Revised Statutes § 40:1730.28 ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
- 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.”
  RS 40:1730.28 — Mandatory adoption of nationally recognized codes and standards as the state uniform construction code ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
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.”
R.S. 40:1730.23 — Enforcement of building codes by municipalities, parishes, and the fire marshal ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- 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”
  Louisiana Revised Statutes 40:1730.23 — Enforcement of building codes by municipalities and parishes ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
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.”
R.S. 40:1730.23 — Enforcement of building codes by municipalities, parishes, and the fire marshal ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Required — State-owned buildings in Louisiana.
  “The occupancy permit will be issued to the using agency when the building construction has been approved by the state fire marshal”
  Louisiana Revised Statutes 40:1724 — Building permits and occupancy permits ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
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”
Louisiana Laws — creation of parish zoning districts ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
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”
RS 33:4721 — Regulation of size and use of buildings ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
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”
RS 33:106.1 — Planning commissions; exempt subdivisions; septic tanks and field drains permitted ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
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”
RS 33:4721 — Regulation of size and use of buildings ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
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”
RS 33:4721 — Regulation of size and use of buildings ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
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”
RS 33:4721 — Regulation of size and use of buildings ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
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.”
Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51, Part XIII, Public Health—Sanitary Code ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
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.”
Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51, Part XIII, Public Health—Sanitary Code ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
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.”
Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51, Part XIII, Public Health—Sanitary Code ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
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.”
Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51, Part XIII, Public Health—Sanitary Code ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
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.”
Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 43, Part VI, §701 ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
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.”
Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51, Part XIII, Public Health—Sanitary Code ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
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.”
RS 33:112. Subdivision regulations ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
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.”
RS 33:112. Subdivision regulations ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
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.”
LaDOTD Access Connections Policy ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
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.”
State of Louisiana No Rise Certification Guidance ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
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:”
Louisiana Revised Statutes §40:1574.1, Costs of handling plans ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
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.”
Plan Review Information/FAQ ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
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.”
RS 14:107.6. Unauthorized camping on public property ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Limited — Temporary stays at facilities operated or reserved through the Louisiana Office of State Parks.
  “Reservations are required in advance of a visit to a park area if a visitor expects the Office of State Parks to hold a facility for their use. If a facility is not reserved, it can be rented at any time, for up to 14 consecutive nights or 15 consecutive days.”
  Louisiana Office of State Parks Policy and Procedure Memorandum #6 — Reservation Changes and Refunds ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
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.”
RS 33:4780.40 — Regulation authorized ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
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”
  La. R.S. 33:4780.40 — Regulation authorized ↗Re-checked Sep 21, 2026
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.”
RS 40:1730.23. Enforcement of building codes by municipalities and parishes ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
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.”
  RS 40:1730.23 — Enforcement of building codes by municipalities, parishes, and the fire marshal ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026

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 Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana

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

Terrebonne Parish scores 63/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and sparse surroundings — about 3,687 people within 15 miles.

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

Terrebonne 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 (Terrebonne Parish Health Unit). Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana?

Land in Terrebonne Parish runs about $4,411 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Terrebonne Parish?

Terrebonne Parish gets about 61.4" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 9.7% of years.

How remote is Terrebonne Parish?

A typical private-land location has about 3,687 people within 15 miles and 2,939,362 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana

At a glance

Who to call

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

Who is the Terrebonne Parish building department, and how do you reach them?

Does Terrebonne Parish have zoning?

How do septic permits work in Terrebonne Parish?

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

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

What to check before you buy land in Terrebonne Parish

Watch-outs

Sources

Terrebonne Parish in Louisiana

How Terrebonne Parish scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Terrebonne Parish

Terrebonne Parish rules

Louisiana rules that apply here

Living off-grid in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana

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

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

How much does land cost in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana?

What is the water situation in Terrebonne Parish?

How remote is Terrebonne Parish?

How Terrebonne compares in Louisiana