Union Parish, LA Building Permits, Zoning & Septic Rules

Unincorporated Union Parish, Louisiana requires a building permit, issued through the parish's E-911 Administration Office rather than a separate building department¹². Union Parish has no zoning, so minimum lot size, setbacks and RV, tiny-home or manufactured-home occupancy are unregulated by parish zoning outside city limits³⁴. Septic systems are not a parish permit at all: Louisiana's state health officer permits individual sewerage systems statewide, administered locally through the parish health unit⁵⁶. Louisiana's State Uniform Construction Code lets a homeowner act as their own owner-builder, so no licensed contractor is required to pull the permit⁷.

At a glance

Building permit: Required, through the E-911 Administration Office¹
Zoning: None; parish ordinances have no zoning chapter³
Septic permit: Required, issued by the state health officer, not the parish⁵⁸
RV / tiny home living: Unrestricted by zoning outside city limits⁴
Owner-builder: Allowed under Louisiana's state construction code⁷
New building permit / 911 address fee: $40 for a new home or mobile home (includes a 911 sign)²
Minimum lot size (state exempt-subdivision rule): 22,500 sq ft and 125 ft of frontage, where it applies⁹
Driveway on a state highway: LaDOTD Access Connection Permit required¹⁰

Who to call

Building permits

Union Parish E-911 Administration Office

Issues building permit applications and assigns 911 addresses for new construction in Union Parish, working out of the Union Parish Courthouse

318-368-0911

100 E Bayou St., Suite 102, Farmerville, LA 71241

Also useful

Union Parish Police Jury

Parish governing authority; adopts the Police Jury Code of Ordinances (no zoning chapter) and oversees the Road Department and Public Works

318-368-3296

303 E Water St., Farmerville, LA 71241

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 24, 2026.

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

Yes: unincorporated Union Parish requires a building permit, and Louisiana's statewide construction code requires one too¹¹¹. The parish issues that permit through its E-911 Administration Office rather than a separate building department, because the same office assigns the 911 address every new structure needs¹². A new address application for a new home or mobile home costs $40, which includes a 911 yard sign; inside Farmerville's city limits the fee is $50 instead². Recreation or agricultural structures, boat houses and electronic gates carry a $20 fee each, and a sewer-system upgrade application is also $20, none of which include the yard sign². Louisiana's State Uniform Construction Code allows a homeowner to act as their own owner-builder, so Union Parish does not require a licensed general contractor to pull the permit⁷.

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

Union Parish has no separate building department: the Union Parish E-911 Administration Office issues building permit applications, working out of the Union Parish Courthouse at 100 E Bayou St., Suite 102 in Farmerville²¹. It is open 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday, including through lunch, and can be reached at 318-368-0911². Have the name of your road and the approximate footage to your nearest 911 neighbor ready when you apply². For anything outside the E-911 office's scope, such as parish ordinances, the Road Department or the Police Jury itself, the Union Parish Police Jury's main office is at 303 E Water St., Farmerville, LA 71241, reached at 318-368-3296¹²².

Does Union Parish have zoning?

Union Parish has no zoning: its Police Jury Code of Ordinances, as published on Municode, contains no zoning chapter³. Louisiana law would let the Police Jury adopt zoning districts covering the whole parish, including unincorporated land, since Union Parish is not one of the four parishes excluded from that grant, but the Police Jury has not exercised that power¹³. Because no zoning ordinance exists, accessory dwellings, RVs used as housing, tiny homes and manufactured homes are all unrestricted by parish zoning outside city limits⁴. That silence has one statutory exception: a state law sets a 22,500-square-foot minimum lot size and 125 feet of minimum frontage for certain unincorporated single-family subdivisions statewide, unless a parish or population exclusion applies⁹.

How do septic permits work in Union Parish?

Septic systems in Union Parish are not permitted by the parish at all: Louisiana law puts individual sewerage-system permitting under the state health officer, administered locally through the parish health unit sanitarian⁵⁶. A permit is required before an individual sewage system is installed, altered or operated, and plans and specifications must be approved as part of that permit⁸. A septic tank system is allowed only where a community-type sewer system is not available, which describes most of unincorporated Union Parish¹⁴. Final approval needs either an on-site inspection by the state health officer's representative or a Certification by Installer form filed within 15 days of completion, and the installer must notify the parish health unit before installation begins¹⁵. Soils make this more than paperwork here: only about 1.4% of Union Parish's land is rated free of severe limits for a conventional septic drain field, among the lowest shares in this guide series, so plan on an engineered or alternative system on nearly every site¹⁶.

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

Living in an RV or tiny home on unincorporated land in Union Parish is unrestricted by zoning, because the parish has no zoning ordinance⁴. That is a zoning-only answer: an RV or tiny home used as a residence still needs its own 911 address and building permit application through the E-911 Administration Office, the same as a house, and its sewage disposal still needs a state septic permit if it is not on a community sewer system¹²⁸. With only about 1.4% of the parish's soils rated free of severe limits for a conventional septic drain field, an RV or tiny home relying on a standard system is unlikely to pass, so budget for the same septic cost a full house would face¹⁶. A Louisiana Office of State Parks rule limiting unreserved stays to 14 nights or 15 days applies only to state park facilities, not to a homeowner's own land in Union Parish, so it does not answer this question¹⁷.

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

Apply for your building permit and 911 address through the E-911 Administration Office at 318-368-0911; bring the name of your road and the approximate footage to your nearest 911 neighbor².
Budget $40 for a new home or mobile home application, including a 911 yard sign, or $50 if the address falls inside Farmerville's city limits².
If the site will use a septic system, contact the parish health unit sanitarian for a Louisiana individual sewerage-system permit before installation begins⁸⁵.
Ask about a site evaluation early: only about 1.4% of Union Parish's soils are rated free of severe limits for a conventional septic drain field, so most sites need an engineered or alternative system¹⁶.
Have the licensed septic installer file the Certification by Installer within 15 days of completion, or arrange a state health officer inspection instead¹⁵.
If the driveway connects to a state highway, get a LaDOTD Access Connection Permit signed and numbered before construction begins¹⁰.
Because Union Parish has no zoning, check the recorded deed and any subdivision restrictions yourself; the parish will not review lot size or setbacks unless the statewide 22,500-square-foot exempt-subdivision rule applies⁹.

What to check before you buy land in Union Parish

Soils and septic come first: only about 1.4% of Union Parish's land is rated free of severe limits for a conventional septic drain field, among the lowest shares of any county in this guide series, so price in an engineered or alternative system before making an offer¹⁶. The parish is heavily wooded, at about 85.8% forest cover, and 94.6% of its land sits at 15% slope or less, so timber and gentle terrain are the norm, not the exception¹⁸¹⁹. Rainfall runs high at 56.5 inches a year, with severe drought in about 18.4% of years, so drainage matters as much as dry-year water supply²⁰²¹. Federal land covers about 6.5% of the parish, worth checking if a parcel borders it²². Union Parish sits about 85 miles from the nearest metro area with a population density of about 24 people per square mile, among the more remote counties in this guide series²³²⁴. Typical homeowner's insurance runs about $1,827 a year, and the effective property tax rate is low, about 0.4%, for a median bill near $470 a year on the parish's typical home²⁵²⁶²⁷. Farmland trades at roughly $3,928 an acre against a typical home value around $165,091, both well below many of the Texas counties in this series²⁸²⁹.

Watch-outs

Union Parish's E-911 Administration Office, not a separate building department, issues the building permit, so have your road name and 911-neighbor footage ready when you call 318-368-0911².
Only about 1.4% of Union Parish's soils are rated free of severe limits for a conventional septic drain field, so budget for a site evaluation and likely an alternative system on nearly every site¹⁶.
Union Parish could adopt zoning under state law, since it is not one of the four parishes excluded from that grant, so confirm the Police Jury has not passed a new zoning ordinance since this guide was written before relying on the parish-wide 'no zoning' answer¹³.
Septic permits here come from the state health officer through the parish health unit, not from Union Parish government itself, so don't call the Police Jury expecting to pull that permit⁶.

Sources

Written September 24, 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 Union Parish scores

Seclusion75100% ev.

Self-Sufficiency63100% ev.

Admin Boringness60100% ev.

Durability56100% ev.

Property Autonomy44100% ev.

Carry Cost88100% 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 →

$165kTypical home

0.4%Property tax

$3,928Land / acre

56.5"Annual rain

18.4% of yrsSevere drought

26.5 / yr (+22.2)Mid-century 100°F days

18.3 daysMid-century dry spell

2.72" (+3.3%)Mid-century 1-day rain

1.45×Wildfire change factor

100%Forward climate coverage

$1,827Home insurance / yr

3.4% / yrInsurance growth

0.57%Nonrenewal rate

county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis

6,458People within 30 min

585,190People within 2 hr

16,444Radius comparison (15 mi)

23.5People / sq mi

6.5%Federal land

94.6%Land at 15% slope or less

1.4%Septic soil without severe limits

7,657 acWorkable land screen

85.8%Wooded land

38.8 tonsBiomass / forest ac

64.4°FAvg temp

Answers from the rulebook for Union Parish

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

Union Parish rules

InspectionsRequired
Building work requiring a Union Parish building permit.
- The applicant must contact the building inspector for inspections.
- Third-party inspectors must provide inspection documentation to the Union Parish Police Jury and Building Official.
“Applicant MUST contact the building inspector”
Steps for receiving a Building Permit in Union Parish ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Zoning districts · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Union Parish: no county rule sets this, because Louisiana law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Union Parish has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing library.municode.com.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- The general parish zoning grant excludes Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine, and Webster parishes.
- The grant covers regulation of structure height, number of stories, structure size, lot occupancy, courts and open spaces, population density, and building, structure, and land location and use.
“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
Minimum dwelling size · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Union Parish: no county rule sets this, because Louisiana law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Union Parish has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing library.municode.com.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- The general parish zoning grant excludes Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine, and Webster parishes.
- The grant covers regulation of structure height, number of stories, structure size, lot occupancy, courts and open spaces, population density, and building, structure, and land location and use.
“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
Minimum lot size · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Union Parish: no county rule sets this, because Louisiana law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Union Parish has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing library.municode.com.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- The general parish zoning grant excludes Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine, and Webster parishes.
- The grant covers regulation of structure height, number of stories, structure size, lot occupancy, courts and open spaces, population density, and building, structure, and land location and use.
“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
Setbacks · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Union Parish: no county rule sets this, because Louisiana law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Union Parish has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing library.municode.com.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- The general parish zoning grant excludes Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine, and Webster parishes.
- The grant covers regulation of structure height, number of stories, structure size, lot occupancy, courts and open spaces, population density, and building, structure, and land location and use.
“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
Lot coverage · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Union Parish: no county rule sets this, because Louisiana law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Union Parish has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing library.municode.com.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- The general parish zoning grant excludes Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine, and Webster parishes.
- The grant covers regulation of structure height, number of stories, structure size, lot occupancy, courts and open spaces, population density, and building, structure, and land location and use.
“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
Building height · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Union Parish: no county rule sets this, because Louisiana law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Union Parish has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing library.municode.com.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- The general parish zoning grant excludes Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine, and Webster parishes.
- The grant covers regulation of structure height, number of stories, structure size, lot occupancy, courts and open spaces, population density, and building, structure, and land location and use.
“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
Living in an RV · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Union Parish: no county rule sets this, because Louisiana law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Union Parish has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing library.municode.com.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- The general parish zoning grant excludes Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine, and Webster parishes.
- The grant covers regulation of structure height, number of stories, structure size, lot occupancy, courts and open spaces, population density, and building, structure, and land location and use.
“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
Camping on your land · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Union Parish: no county rule sets this, because Louisiana law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Union Parish has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing library.municode.com.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- The general parish zoning grant excludes Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine, and Webster parishes.
- The grant covers regulation of structure height, number of stories, structure size, lot occupancy, courts and open spaces, population density, and building, structure, and land location and use.
“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
Tiny homes · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Union Parish: no county rule sets this, because Louisiana law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Union Parish has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing library.municode.com.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- The general parish zoning grant excludes Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine, and Webster parishes.
- The grant covers regulation of structure height, number of stories, structure size, lot occupancy, courts and open spaces, population density, and building, structure, and land location and use.
“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
Manufactured homes · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Union Parish: no county rule sets this, because Louisiana law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Union Parish has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing library.municode.com.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- The general parish zoning grant excludes Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine, and Webster parishes.
- The grant covers regulation of structure height, number of stories, structure size, lot occupancy, courts and open spaces, population density, and building, structure, and land location and use.
“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
Accessory dwellings · by state lawNo county rule
Unincorporated Union Parish: no county rule sets this, because Louisiana law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Union Parish has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing library.municode.com.
- Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
- The general parish zoning grant excludes Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine, and Webster parishes.
- The grant covers regulation of structure height, number of stories, structure size, lot occupancy, courts and open spaces, population density, and building, structure, and land location and use.
“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
Permit feesPublished
Union Parish building permit applications and related E-911 applications.
- The Union Parish Police Jury fee is $100.
- Lagniappe Inspection Services collects $150 for applicable permits, but the document excludes Mobile Homes from that statement.
- Credit-card payment adds a 4% charge; checks and money orders are accepted; no cash is accepted by the Police Jury.
- The E-911 page separately lists new-address, sewer-system-upgrade, recreation/agricultural-structure, boathouse, and electronic-gate application fees.
Union Parish Police Jury permit fee: 100 USD · Lagniappe Inspection Services fee: 150 USD (The document states Lagniappe collects all fees but Mobile Homes.) · credit-card surcharge: 4 percent · new address application: 40 USD (New addresses inside Farmerville city limits are $50 and include a 911 yard sign.) · sewer system upgrade application: 20 USD (Does not include a 911 yard sign.) · recreation or agricultural structure application: 20 USD (Does not include a 911 yard sign.) · boathouse or electronic gate application: 20 USD (No sign is included.)
“New address (new home or mobile home application) is $40.00”
Steps for receiving a Building Permit in Union Parish ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
County-wide zoningAbsent
The Union Parish Police Jury Code of Ordinances contains no zoning chapter, consistent with no parish-wide zoning over unincorporated areas.
Union Parish Police Jury Code of Ordinances (Municode) ↗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
4 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Adopted — Construction-code enforcement in Union Parish as a Louisiana parish.
  “all municipalities and parishes shall enforce the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code.”
  State of Louisiana Uniform Construction Code Law and Rules and Regulations ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
- 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
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
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 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

Still unanswered

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

Local zoning — Local zoning within Union Parish; no county aggregate established.
Short-term rentals — Short-term rentals in Union Parish.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Living off-grid in Union Parish, Louisiana

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

Union Parish scores 74/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and sparse surroundings — about 6,458 people within a 30-minute drive.

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

Union Parish generally requires a residential building permit, and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health — Onsite Wastewater Program (Union Parish Health Unit / Sanitarian). 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.

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

Living in an RV on your own land in Union Parish is allowed: Unincorporated Union Parish: no county rule sets this, because Louisiana law gives zoning power only to certain counties, and Union Parish has no zoning ordinance. The county legal census found no county zoning ordinance, citing library.municode.com. Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits. The general parish zoning grant excludes Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine, and Webster parishes. A tiny home is allowed. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Union Parish, Louisiana?

Land in Union Parish runs about $3,928 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Union Parish?

Union Parish gets about 56.5" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 18.4% of years.

How remote is Union Parish?

A representative private-land location has about 6,458 people within a 30-minute drive and 585,190 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.

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

At a glance

Who to call

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

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

Does Union Parish have zoning?

How do septic permits work in Union Parish?

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

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

What to check before you buy land in Union Parish

Watch-outs

Sources

Union Parish in Louisiana

How Union Parish scores

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Parcel due diligence

Answers from the rulebook for Union Parish

Union Parish rules

Louisiana rules that apply here

Still unanswered

Living off-grid in Union Parish, Louisiana

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

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

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

How much does land cost in Union Parish, Louisiana?

What is the water situation in Union Parish?

How remote is Union Parish?

How Union compares in Louisiana