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Development Permits in Rapides Parish

A development permit is required before you build, locate, or substantially improve any structure designed for occupancy as a residence, place of business, camp, nonresidential/commercial development or improvement thereof, industrial development or improvement thereof, or place any mobile home upon any lot in Rapides Parish. Permits are required to ensure that proposed development projects meet the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the community’s floodplain management ordinance.
 
The review process is typically done in conjunction with your building permit application, but in some cases needs to be issued independently.

Please note, our Meetings Minutes/Agenda section is experiencing issues where only one meeting will display.  We are aware of the issue and are working to address it.
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Planning Commission

Each house, mobile home, utility, or structure in the unincorporated limits of Rapides Parish must have a valid 911 address, to provide a more efficient and effective emergency response service. It is your responsibility to affix the assigned number on the structure or nearby, designating the location. This office updates all other branches of local government to help improve response times and delivery of parcels.

Address assignments are free of charge

The address should be posted in a position that is plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. These numbers shall contrast with their background. Numbers shall be a minimum of 4 inches high with a minimum stroke width of ½ inch. Where access is by means of a private road and the building address cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, pole or other sign or means shall be used to identify the structure.

Numbers can be purchased from hardware stores, lumber yards, Wal-Mart stores, etc.

Addressing & Road Documents
  1. The new name cannot duplicate an existing road name within Rapides Parish.
    • For assistance or name availability please call RAPC at 318.487.5401. 
  2. The new name must be less than 15 characters
  3. All residents will have to complete a change of address package with the post office if they get home delivery.
  4. The fee must be paid at the time of application submittal. The fee is refunded if the request is denied ($25 processing fee is deducted).
  5. A petition of 75% of the property owners on such a road is required, demonstrating a majority agreement on the road. If one signature is discovered to be false, the application will be denied.
  6. The Planning Commission will review the application and make a recommendation of approval or disapproval to the Rapides Parish Police Jury.
  7. All private roads must access three or more residential structures or unless specifically authorized by RAPC.
  8. The selected name of the private road cannot duplicate any existing road names in Rapides Parish
  9. All residents on the private road must be addressed on that road for 911 purposes.
  10. A drawing showing the length and width of the private road must be attached to the application
  11. A $125.00 fee must be submitted with the application
  12. The Staff will review the request and if approval is granted, send a written request to the Public Works Director requesting a sign be placed.
  • Wetlands Determination

Recreation Lakes Permits

Cotile Lake, Kincaid Lake Reservoir, and Indian Creek Reservoir

Construction on Parish Lakes

Permits:
  • No boathouse, dock, launching ramp, bulkhead, pier, wharf, designated swimming area, or another facilities may be constructed on lakes owned by the Police Jury without a permit
  • Any person who alters, changes, or realigns the lake or lake shoreline on Police Jury property by channeling, dredging, digging, scraping, or moving of earth, must obtain approval by the Corp of Engineers and the Parish Permit Administrator prior to beginning said work. Copies of all applications and subsequent approvals must be filed with the Parish Permitting Office.
  • No structure shall extend more than forty (40) feet, perpendicular to the water line, from the spillway elevation of the lake. Structures may not extend into cleared boat rows or dredged areas. Additionally, no structure shall exceed fifteen (15) feet in height as measured from the floor of the structure. Furthermore, structures may be prohibited, or their dimensions restricted, in coves, to prevent inaccessibility of other existing or potential landowners or the public. Structures must be set back a minimum of ten (10) feet from projected property lines of adjacent landowners. Projected property lines are to be depicted by extending the property lines which are perpendicular to the shore and are not intended to portray ownership.
  • Total square footage of all private structures per adjoining landowner, shall not exceed the ratio of one thousand (1000) square feet per one hundred (100) linear feet of shoreside property, as measured along the property line. Properties with less than one hundred (100) linear feet of shoreside property as measured along the property line, may utilize the same ratio at lesser values. Total square footage of all structures per adjoining landowner shall not exceed two thousand (2000) square feet; however, bulkheads or seawalls may not be included in the total square footage calculation. Square footage of structures with roofs shall be measured utilizing ground covering or all area under the roof, whichever is greater.
  •  All floating piers, docks, boathouses, and/or barges, and other facilities must be securely moored in an approved manner at all times and anchored properly in order to prevent such from becoming unmoored and floating away during periods of high water.
  • No permit shall be issued adjoining dams or spillways.
  • No structure that is constructed and used for occupancy on a regular or intermittent basis shall be permitted. 
Permit Fees:
  • $150.00 at time of application for construction of new facilities/$100.00 for all commercial structures
  • $25.00 annual fee for existing structures due by June 30th of each year.
     Government agencies – exempt from the fee but not exempt from permit.
Inspections:
  • New permitted structures shall be inspected during construction and upon completion to ensure compliance.
  • Existing structures shall be inspected at least once per year to ensure compliance and conformity with original permit. 

For a complete list of regulations and guidelines please reference the Rapides Parish Ordinance. 

Duck Blinds

Permits:
  • A Permit is required to construct or have a duck blind on Cotile Lake, Kincaid Lake Reservoir, and Indian Creek Reservoir property under the jurisdiction of the Police Jury.
  • Citizens of Rapides Parish will have priority on permits.
  • Each blind shall be labeled inside with the name and address of the owner.
  • Each blind shall be physically located at least one hundred fifty (150) yards from any shoreline or boat row and at least three hundred (300) yards from a residence or another blind.
  • No blind shall be permitted to be placed earlier than fourteen (14) days prior to the opening of the regular migratory game bird season and every blind shall be removed by the owner not later than fourteen (14) days after the closing of the duck season. Any blind or decoy placed prior to this time will be confiscated.
  • All duck hunting should cease at 2:00 pm during the season.
Fees:
  • $500.00 annual fee (non-refundable)

For a complete list of regulations and guidelines please reference the Rapides Parish Ordinance.

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