Lafayette Parish, LA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- RS-1 front setback
- 20 feet
- RS-2 front setback
- 5 feet
- Unzoned parish default
- 20 ft front / 5 ft side / 10 ft rear
- Max fine per violation
- $500 per offense
- Governing law
- Development Code, Ch. 89
Summary
Lafayette City-Parish sets yard setbacks per zoning district under the Development Code. RS-1 lots need a 20-foot front, 5-foot side, and 10-foot rear setback; RS-2 lots need only 5-foot front and 3-foot side, showing how much the number swings by district.
Setbacks (principal buildings) 4 Front street (min) * 20' 5' 5 Side (min) 5' 3' 6 Rear (min, common lot line) 10' 10' 7 Rear-alley (min) 3' 3'
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
Setbacks are not one parish-wide number, Sec. 89-38(e)(3)a says setbacks 'shall be provided as set out in the zoning district regulations (article 2),' and each of the roughly dozen districts (RS-1, RS-2, RM, MN, MX, D, CM, CH, IL, IH, PD, PI, A) carries its own dimensional-standards table. If unincorporated parish land isn't zoned at all, Sec. 89-38(e)(7)a supplies a flat fallback: 20-foot front, 5-foot side, 10-foot rear. Corner lots, narrow/shallow lots, and lots on substandard rights-of-way get separate adjustments. This applies wherever the LCG zoning map reaches, city limits and unincorporated parish alike, not in Broussard, Carencro, Duson, Scott, Youngsville, or Milton, which run their own codes.
Violations & Fines
Building without meeting the required setback risks a stop-work order and a notice of violation; each violation carries a fine up to $500, with each day a violation continues counted as a separate offense under Sec. 89-170.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do setbacks differ between the city and the parish?
What setback applies if my parish lot has no zoning?
Can a narrow or shallow lot get a reduced setback?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lafayette Parish
Compare Lafayette Parish to another location·View the Louisiana building setbacks & zoning overview
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