Caddo Parish, LA Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Chapter 10 of the Caddo Parish Code of Ordinances governs construction in the unincorporated parish; Sec. 10-1 defines the building official as the parish employee who enforces the technical codes outside any incorporated town or city. Sec. 10-2 adopts, by reference, the 2006 International Building Code (minus the administration, accessibility, electrical, and plumbing chapters), the 2006 International Existing Building Code, the 2006 International Residential Code with Appendix J and Louisiana-specific wind-design amendments to IRC R301.2.1.1, the 2006 International Mechanical Code, the Louisiana State Plumbing Code, the 2006 International Fuel Gas Code, and the 2005 National Electrical Code.

Sec. 10-3 makes it unlawful to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of any building or structure, or to erect, install, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system regulated by those codes, without first obtaining a permit from the director of public works or a designee. Sec. 10-4 sets the application content: owner and contractor names, addresses, and daytime phone numbers; the construction location and description, including square footage, type of construction, and intended occupancy; whether the work involves electrical, concrete/masonry, plumbing, structural, or gas-fuel components; the anticipated completion date; and a certification under penalty of perjury that the work will comply with the adopted codes.

Sec. 10-5 bars occupying or using any permitted structure until the owner files a certificate of completion and compliance made by a state-approved building inspector. Sec. 10-6 lets the building official, through the parish attorney, seek an injunction against unpermitted construction or against occupying a structure built, altered, or converted without the required permit.