When do I need a Permit?
Step One: Flood Zone Determination Form
Step Two: Submit for Plan Review Process
Step Three: Permit Ready To Issue
Building Inspections
 

When do I need a Permit?

A permit can be obtained at the DPW Permit & Inspection Division located at 300 North 10th Street. The following are typical situations which would require a permit:

A new residence
Home additions and most renovations
Any modification that involves structural work
Covered patios
Any accessory structure over 100 square feet
Roofing & decking that exceeds 100 square feet
Solid fencing that is three feet or higher
Any fencing that is four feet or higher
Fencing that exceeds 25 feet in length
Changing out or relocating a hot water heater
Changing out an air conditioning unit or components (excluding window units)
Any electrical work
Pools; below and above ground
Gas line work
Sewer line work
Relocation of a house or mobile home

Occupancy Permit Information

Residential Plan Review Fees

Flood Zone Determination (Prior to Review): $15.
Plan Review Fee: $60. or ($75. with FZDF)
Additions/Remodeling/Accessory Structures less than 400 sq. ft.: $40.

Building Permit Fees
Based on valuation and square footage: Valuation is assessed at $78 per sq. ft. living area, $26 per sq. ft. accessory area.

Note:  Residential work exceeding $2,500 must be performed by a licensed residential contractor. The homeowner may apply for the permit and construct their own home. A Hold Harmless Agreement  must be filed with the Clerk of Court in the event the homeowner qualifies as the builder of record. The homeowner must comply with all applicable codes and ordinances (IRC 2003 One and Two Family Code). A hold harmless agreement is not required if a Licensed residential contractor performs the work. A State Residential License is required for licensed contractors whose work exceeds $50,000.

Plan Review and Permitting Process

STEP ONE
Flood Zone Determination Form

Your site must be evaluated for flood zone when new construction occurs or when an addition exceeds 40% of the existing residence area.

1. Provide a plot plan and complete Section A of the Flood Zone Determination Form . You will need to submit the name, address, and phone number of the professional performing your flood zone determination.

2. Section B will be completed by the Inspection Division while you wait. You may then pay the cashier the $10. research fee. (The fee may also be paid at time of submittal of plans.) Section C will be completed by the DPW Engineering Division and forwarded to your selected professional.

3. You will be notified by your selected professional when the lowest floor elevation has been determined.

4. You can now submit your plans along with the professional's Proposed Certificate of Elevation to the Inspection Division and apply for a Building Permit.

Step Two
Submit For Plan Review Process

Proposed Certificate of Elevation
EBR Board of Health Permit (if applicable)

Plot Plan showing following:

1. Provide a legal description of the lot or tract.

2. Indicate the size of the lot or tract, showing servitudes.

3. Driveways and Off-Street parking should be indicated and surface material described.

4. All structures should be located on property.

5. Indicate the direction of all surface drainage with arrows.

Two complete sets of plans-showing the following:

1. Floor Plan (1/4"=1'-0" scale)

1. dimensioned and labeled

2. fixture layout

3. ceiling joist size and direction of span

4. electrical plan showing:

1. size of service

2. number of circuits

3. location of panel

4. circuit layout

5.  door and window schedule

1. show safety glass when used

2. show details on special windows

6. smoke detectors (electric,110 v.)

7. square footage: living area, accessory area

2. Mechanical Layout Plan showing the following:

1. BTU rating of Heating & Air

2. elevation drawing of equipment

3. R/A size and location

4. layout and size of ducts

5. access and platform to A/H Unit

6. combustion air provisions

3. Foundation Plan showing the following:

1. location/size of footings and grade beams

2. details of footings by a qualified professional

4. Detail/Typical Sheet showing the following:

1. wall sections; one & two story, or firewall

2. stair details (if applicable)

3. basic framing plans indicating joist and rafter sizes

Inspection personnel completes Submittal Checklist

STEP THREE
Permit Ready To Issue

A typical residence will be reviewed in approximately three days after the Engineering Division has conducted their review and your selected professional has indicated your proposed elevation.

1. Permit personnel will notify the owner/contractor when the permit is ready. A building permit may now be issued. The construction can only proceed up to the pouring of the slab or lowest floor of the structure.

2. The Official Certificate of Elevation Form must be completed by the same professional when the lowest floor of the structure has been completed. This form must be submitted to building inspection for approval prior to the framing of the structure. If in compliance, the Certificate will be stamped with a "Notice to Proceed" and dated accordingly.

3. Work can continue until completion of structure.

Note: One set of drawings so reviewed shall be retained by the Building Official and the other set shall be returned to the applicant. The project shall be open to inspection by the Building Official, Inspection Division Inspector or the Building Official's authorized representative.

Building Inspections

After a Building Permit has been issued, it is the responsibility of the Building, Plumbing, Electrical and Heating & Air Conditioning contractors to contract the Inspection Division for inspections by calling the numbers noted below between the hours of 7 a.m.-8 a.m. on any work day. The inspection(s) will be made on that day; all inspections called in after 8 a.m. will be made on the following day.

1. Foundation Inspections

1. Building Foundation
   Chapter 3 of the One and Two Family Dwelling Code states that the under floor grade shall be cleaned of all vegetation and organic material. Foundations shall be on undisturbed soil or properly compacted fill and below the frost line (call 389-3209 for an inspection).
2. Plumbing rough-in inspection prior to placing the fill (call 389-3230 for an inspection).

2.  Framing Inspections

1. Framing includes bearing wall and partition wall, ceiling joists, rafters, wall board, wall ties, windows and exterior doors, roof bracing, fresh air vents for bathrooms, toe plates to be anchored properly and corner bracing (call 389-3209 for an inspection).

2. Electrical rough-in (call 389-3213 for an inspection)

3. Plumbing rough-in (call 389-3230 for an inspection)

4. Heating & Air Conditioning rough-in (call 389-3217 for an inspection)

3. Final Inspections

1. walls-finished

2. floors-finished

3. woodwork painted

4. lot-clean and graded for drainage

5. soffit vent for attic ventilation (call 389-3209 for an inspection)

6. plumbing final (call 389-3230 for an inspection)

7. electrical final (call 389-3213 for an inspection)

8. heating & air conditioning final (call 389-3217 for an inspection)

9. municipal number posted

10. smoke detector(s) installed

11. dust-free parking and driveway

The above information is intended as a guide. All of the above inspections shall be completed and successfully passed before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued.

A Permit shall be construed to be a license to proceed with the work and shall not be construed as authority to violate, cancel, alter or set aside any of the provisions of the City of Baton Rouge, Parish of East Baton Rouge Code of Ordinances nor shall such issuance of a Permit prevent the Building Official from Thereafter requiring a correction of errors in plans or in construction, or of violations of the Code.