Building Permits & Code Compliance
Anyone within our jurisdiction who is planning any type of construction, moving a manufactured home or any other structure on their property, will need to obtain a permit from the Rapides Area Planning Commission.
This includes adding on to an existing structure or remodeling, The permitting process originated in ACT 12 of the first extraordinary session of 2005 implemented the first statewide residential building codes, the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code. (R.S. 40:1730.22) The state uniform construction code establishes uniform performance standards providing reasonable safeguards for health, safety, welfare, comfort, and security balanced with affordability for the residents of this state who are occupants and users of buildings and provides for the use o f modern methods, devices, materials, and techniques. New construction, additions, mobile homes, accessory buildings, and other projects that constitute “new development” must also adhere to the appropriate development regulations established by the governing jurisdiction, which may include additional fees for review and coordination with other local, state, or federal agencies. The development fee calculator for unincorporated Rapides Parish is provided below on this page.
Obtaining Permits
Before any of the steps below can be taken you must first have an Address. Information on obtaining an address can be found by clicking here. You will also need to have a Developmet Permit. There are additional requirements if you are in a Flood Zone.
Step 1
Step 2
The code official and inspectors will review the application and drawings for code compliance. If any more information is required, the inspector will contact you.
Step 3
The permit Office will contact you when the application/permit is approved and ready to be picked up. All permit/inspection fees are due at this time. See the Residential Fee Schedule sheet.
Step 4
You are now ready to start construction. Please request inspections 1 business day* in advance. Inspection requests can either be phoned or faxed into the office. At each inspection, the inspector will leave an inspection notice and sticker notifying you of the result of the inspection. Once an inspection has been approved, you may move onto the next phase. See the Residential Inspection Guidelines sheet.
Step 5
When all final inspections have been approved, a certificate of occupancy will be signed and sent to you from the building official.
Step 1
Obtain construction permit application from the local permit office and submit the application along with construction plans, and any required prior approvals (i.e. flood zone, zoning approval, sewer approval, and approved state fire marshal’s approved plan review).
Step 2
The building official will review the application and State Fire Marshal approved plans for uniform construction code compliance. There MUST be two sets of plans brought to the building official: 1. The plan the fire Marshal reviewed. 2. The plan for the Building official to review. See the Minimum Commercial Plan Review Requirements sheet. The building official will contact you when the application and plans are approved and ready to be picked up. All permit/inspection fees are due at this time. See the fee schedules at the top of this page.
Step 3
You are now ready to start construction. Please request inspections 24 hours in advance. At each inspection, the inspector will leave an inspection notice and sticker notifying you of the result of the inspection. Once an inspection has been approved, you may move on to the next phase. See the Commercial Inspection Guidelines sheet.
Step 4
When all final inspections have been approved, a certificate of occupancy will be signed and sent to you from the building official.
Step 1
If your property does not have an assigned 911 address one will be issued to your property at the Rapides Area Planning Commission. You must either have a survey of your property, or a Property plat that can be obtained in the Alexandria courthouse in the Rapides Parish Tax Assessors office for free.
Step 2
If your property does have an address or you have acquired one from The Planning Commission, you must go to the health department to obtain a sewer permit for all new and existing septic systems.
Sewer Approval Requirements
- Proof of Ownership
- Property Owner Signature
- Physical Address
- Site Inspection
- Checklist &State tag from installer
Step 3
Obtain this Manufactured Home Information for your permit:
- Serial Number or Vin Number
- Size
- Make and Model
- Year
- HUD Label # (Red/Silver Tag)
- Tax ID (Black/White Sticker)
All existing homes inside Rapides Parish have this ID. ALL new homes or homes bought outside of Rapides Parish will be issued this ID at RAPC.
Step 4
Bring your Sewer Permit back to RAPC and start the permit process. Manufactured Home Permits are $125.00 and this fee must be paid before the permit is issued. This payment covers the development fee, permit fee, and inspection fee. Inspections will be scheduled upon request of the customer via ONLINE PORTAL or by phone at 318.487.5401. In case of failed inspection, an inspection report will be left on the property detailing items to be corrected. After corrections, the customer must call for re-inspection.
Licensing & Certifications
Home Improvement Registration: The Louisiana Legislature enacted Act No. 1146 which requires all residential improvement contractors who perform work on a residence in an amount of $7,500 and above to register with the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. If there are questions concerning this matter, please contact Ms. Bertha Jenkins, Supervisor of the Residential Licensing Division at (225-765-2301)
Licensing: The Louisiana Legislature enacted Act 724 which requires that the building permit applicant produce proof that he possesses an active, applicable contractor’s license, or that the proposed building activity is exempt from such licensure. If claiming an exemption for residential construction, the applicant must execute an affidavit attesting to the claimed exemption on a form provided by the Licensing Board. If there are questions concerning this matter, please contact Charles G. Marceaux, Executive Director at (225-765-2601, ext 221)
For more information on licensing and registration through the State Contractors Board, please visit Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC)
Have you obtained your certification through the Department of Revenue? For further information, visit Louisiana Department of Revenue Licensing Board of Contractors