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Ouachita Parish, LA Accessory Structures: Shed & Carport Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Shed permit rules in Ouachita Parish, LA, also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations, set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.

Key Facts

Exempt size
Sheds/accessory buildings up to 120 sq ft
Above threshold
Permit required from parish building official
Exempt structures
Tool sheds, storage sheds, playhouses, similar uses
Penalty range
$100 to $500 per offense
Coverage
Unincorporated parish only

Summary

Ouachita Parish exempts one-story detached accessory buildings such as tool and storage sheds and playhouses from a building permit only if their floor area is 120 square feet or less; anything larger needs a permit from the parish building official under § 3½-123.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Ouachita Parish. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(b)Work exempt from permit. Permits shall not be required for the following. Exemption from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.(1)Buildings:a.One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed one hundred twenty (120) square feet.

Full Breakdown

regulated by this code' to first apply to the building official and obtain a permit. ' A permit application for a larger shed must include the owner's and contractor's names and addresses, the construction location, a description including square footage, and a certification of code compliance under § 3½-123(c), and the permit is administered by the parish building official appointed under § 3½-121(b). This rule reaches only the unincorporated parish; Monroe, West Monroe, and Sterlington set their own accessory-structure standards.

Violations & Fines

Erecting an accessory structure over 120 square feet without a permit is a misdemeanor under § 3½-111, punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars and not more than five hundred dollars for each offense, and the building official may seek an injunction against the unpermitted construction under § 3½-109.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big can a shed be in Ouachita Parish without a permit?
Up to 120 square feet. Section 3½-123(b)(1)a exempts 'one-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed one hundred twenty (120) square feet' from the building permit requirement.
What if my shed is bigger than 120 square feet?
It falls under the general permit rule in § 3½-123(a): you must apply to the parish building official and obtain a permit before building it, submitting the owner's and contractor's information, the location, and a description of the construction including square footage.
Does the size exemption excuse me from other rules?
No. Section 3½-123(b) is explicit that exemption from the permit requirement 'shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.'

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Ouachita Parish

All Ouachita Parish rules

How Ouachita Parish compares: Shed Permit Requirements by City·Compare Ouachita Parish to another location·View the Louisiana accessory structures overview

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