Building Permit and Site Plan Review Process Guide

PURPOSE

This guide represents the information generally needed to apply for a building permit within Bossier Parish. A permit is issued only after a comprehensive review of development and construction plans have been completed and checked for compliance with Parish’s ordinances, policies, building codes, regulations and standards for land use, development, and construction. The number of processes you will need depends on your development plans and the existing circumstances of your property. At the earliest stages of planning your project, you should be aware of what information is required and where each process should be initiated. Please note that this guide is not intended to provide every technical detail of each review that makes up the development review process.

WHEN IS A BUILDING PERMIT REQUIRED?

Any owner, authorized agent, or contractor who desires to erect, construct, enlarge, add to, alter, repair, replace, move, improve, remove, install, convert, demolish, equip, use, occupy, or maintain a building, structure, or building service equipment, must apply for a building permit.

If you are uncertain about the need for a building permit, please call the Bossier Parish Permit Office for assistance at (318)-562-3030 or visit www.lacodes.com

AM I IN A SPECIAL PERMITTING DISTRICT?

To help you determine which district your property is in, it is highly recommended to begin with our property search tool on our GIS site to research your property. These are areas of the Parish where additional requirements or processes apply based on established boundaries. Depending on your property's location, you may have additional requirements or processes to follow if you reside within a special district.

https://bossier-city.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/lookup/index.html?appid=610e6a0606704709a6503acfb3ce4e5a

DUAL ZONE DISTRICT

If the construction project is located outside of Bossier City limits AND is on Bossier City Utilities (water/sewer), a permit is required with the Bossier Parish Permit Office AND the Bossier City Permits Department. 

DUAL PERMIT ZONE PERMIT SUBMITTAL PROCESS

- Step 1 – Complete permit application with the Bossier Parish Permit Office via www.lacodes.com.

o Once permit is approved by the Bossier Parish Permit Office and the invoice is paid;

- Step 2 - Apply for Bossier City permit via Energov and upload the approved Bossier Parish permit with the submittal.

- Step 3 – Once the comprehensive review is complete and approved, the Bossier City Permits Department will invoice the applicant.

- Step 4 - Once invoice is paid, the permit is issued.

WHO APPLIES FOR THE PERMIT? 

If you hire a contractor for your project, it is customary for the contractor to arrange for, or in contractor lingo, "pull" the permit. Typically, the person who pulls the permit is responsible for the construction and following the applicable codes.

If the property owner pulls the permit, the property owner will be considered the contractor (at least in the eyes of the Parish) and will be liable if there is a construction problem. All the responsibility for the project and the project staff, then falls on the property owner.

DO I NEED TO HIRE A PROFESSIONAL?

The Bossier Parish Permit Office is committed to explaining the process as clearly and concisely as possible. However, the permit process can be complex, even for those experienced with it. Depending on the size and type of your project, you may need the services of a licensed professional. In fact, State law may require that a portion or your entire project be prepared by a licensed architect or engineer. You may contact the Bossier Parish Permit Office or the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors to determine if the services of a licensed professional will be needed.

HOW DO I CHECK TO SEE IF MY CONTRACTOR IS LICENSED?

Visit the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors at https://lslbc.louisiana.gov/, to see if your contractor is licensed and for other helpful information.

WHAT IF I SKIP GETTING A PERMIT? 

If your project requires a permit, get a permit. If you are working with a contractor who suggests skipping this step, consider moving on to another contractor. If work commences without the proper permits, a stop work order will be issued and additional fees will be assessed. A stop work order will shut down your project and may require you to tear down your work (for example, remove a wall to see what's behind it). It is not worth the risk and is against the law.

RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS

(All documents must be submitted digitally)

  1. Completed building permit application (Online)
    1. Make Payment 
  2. Site Plan
    1. The following items must be on your site plan;
      1. Scale
      2. North arrow
      3. property lines with dimensions
      4. street(s) or drives bordering the property
      5. Site address
      6. Subdivision unit and lot number
      7. Building setbacks
      8. Proposed structures
      9. Servitudes/ easements
      10. Parking/driveways
      11. Elevation or drainage flow patterns
      12. Finished floor elevation and road elevation
    2. Plans must show the roof line as well as the foundation. Roof lines may not encroach into or over drainage easements.
    3. If the property is adjacent to Cypress-Black Bayou, the flowage easement must be graphically shown and the property must be staked for inspections.
  3. Building Plans
  4. Foundation Plans
  5. Pre & Post Elevation Certificates
    1. (Required when property is in a flood zone)
  6. Septic Permit (If applicable)
  7. Culvert Permit (If applicable)
  8. Mailbox Permit (If speed limit is 35mph or greater)

COMMERICAL CONSTRUCTION SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS

(All documents must be submitted digitally)

  1. Completed building permit application (Online)
    1. Payment 
  2. Building Plans
  3. Foundation Plans
  4. Site Plan
    1. Site plans must be drawn to scale, show all property lines, building setbacks, proposed/existing structures, servitudes, easements, parking, driveways, and culverts if needed.
    2. Landscaping Plan (Bossier MPC Jurisdiction)
      1. Identify species, size, and quantity
    3. Dumpster Elevation (Bossier MPC Jurisdiction)
    4. On Premise and Building Signs (Bossier MPC Jurisdiction)
    5. Building Elevations (all sides)
      1. Color building elevations are required if within the Bossier MPC Jurisdiction)
    6. Exterior Lighting Plan (Bossier MPC Jurisdiction)
    7. Elevation or drainage flow patterns
    8. Finished floor elevation and road elevation
  5. Fire Marshal Letter
  6. Pre & Post Elevation Certificates
    1. Required when property is in a flood zone
  7. Septic Permit (if applicable)
  8. Culvert Permit (If applicable)
  9. Mailbox Permit (If speed limit is 35mph or greater)
  10. Drainage Impact Study (If applicable- Verify with Engineer Office) 
  11. Traffic Impact Study (If applicable- Verify with Engineer Office)

TOP REASONS RESIDENTIAL PLANS ARE NOT APPROVED OR DELAYED

  1. Plans not drawn to a standard scale/plans not legible.
  2. Site plan does not match plat or site has existing problems.
  3. Missing building code requirements: (i.e. Emergency window egress from bedrooms (too small, fixed instead of operable), lack of egress from habitable attic, stair headroom or width, fire hydrant location)
  4. Missing information on plans; inconsistent plans (Elevation & floor plan not matching, window/door schedule missing, structural members not called out and sized, building cross sections not provided)
  5. Haven’t obtained all required permits. (i.e. Health Department, LADOT, Bossier Levee District, Cypress - Black Bayou)

TOP REASONS COMMERCIAL PLANS ARE NOT APPROVED OR DELAYED

  1. Plans not drawn to a standard scale/plans not legible.
  2. Floor plans do not show existing conditions – remodel.
  3. Uses of rooms/spaces not labeled.
  4. Fire Marshal Letter not uploaded.
  5. Missing information on plans; inconsistent plans (Elevation & floor plan not matching, window/door schedule missing, missing foundation plans)
  6. Haven’t obtained all required permits. (i.e. Health Department, LADOT, Bossier Levee District, Cypress Black Bayou)

HOW LONG WILL PERMIT REVIEW TAKE?

Permit applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, however, we are committed to processing your plans as quickly and efficiently as possible. The building permit process for commercial plans can average two (2) weeks and one (1) week for residential plans. Please be advised that missing information, additional reviews and required re-submittals, can add time to the review process and could extend this estimated review time frame.

ISSUING THE PERMIT 

Once all agencies involved determine all requirements have been met, the applicant will be notified of the approval and asked to pay all remaining fees. Upon payment, the building permit will be issued. Construction may now begin!

 * Note: If in a “Special Permitting District – Dual Zone”, the final permit will be issued by the Bossier City Permits Department.

WHY IS THE PERMIT PROCESS SO COMPLEX? 

The process of reviewing and issuing a building permit is complex. It involves many departments and outside agencies, and it may include a separate Planning and Zoning process. The Bossier Parish Permit Office and other agencies involved are required by law to enforce numerous Federal, State and local construction and development regulations to ensure that your project complies with building, construction, and zoning codes.

CONTACTS

Bossier Parish Permit Office

Code Inspections Plus (CIP)

700 Benton Rd. Suite B

Bossier City, LA 71111

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Lunch 12:00pm – 1:00pm)

Phone: 318-562-3030

Email: info@lacodes.com

Website: www.lacodes.com


Bossier City Permit Department

620 Benton Rd.

Bossier City, LA 71111

Phone: 318-741-8571


Bossier City – Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission

Benton – Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission

620 Benton Rd. (2nd Floor)

Bossier City, LA 71111

Phone: 318-741-8824

Email: www.bossiercity.org


Haughton – Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission

118 W. McKinley Ave.

Haughton, LA 71037        

Phone: 318-949-9401


Bossier Parish Engineer

Bossier Parish Courthouse

204 Burt Blvd.

Benton, LA 71006

Phone: 318-965-2329

Bossier Parish 911 Communications District 

4601 Palmetto Rd.

Benton, LA 71006

Phone: 318-965-2911

 

Bossier Parish Health Unit

3022 Old Minden Rd., Suite 100

Bossier City, LA 71111

Phone: 318-741-7314

 

Bossier Parish Highway Department

410 Mayfield Rd.

Benton, LA 71006

Phone: 318-965-3752

 

LA Department of Transportation

Phone: 318-549-8305

 

Bossier Levee District

3404 Industrial Dr.

Bossier City, LA 71112

Phone: 318-746-7151