Ascension Parish, LA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Rural (R) front setback
- 25 ft. (75 ft. from state hwy centerline)
- Rural (R) rear setback
- 20 feet
- Rural (R) side setback
- 10 feet
- Corner-lot relief
- front yard may be halved (Table B note 3)
- Relief route
- variance from Zoning Board of Adjustment
Summary
In the Rural (R) zoning district, which covers much of unincorporated Ascension Parish, Table B of the Unified Land Development Code sets minimum yard setbacks of 25 feet front, 20 feet rear and 10 feet side for single-family lots, with an even larger 75-foot front setback measured from the centerline where the lot fronts a state highway.
DISTRICT ... MINIMUM FRONT SETBACK (FEET) 3 ... MINIMUM REAR SETBACK 2 MINIMUM SIDE SETBACK (FEET) 2 ... R Rural ... 25 ft. ... 20 ft. 10 ft.
Full Breakdown
Table B, Site Requirements by District (Residential), in Appendix I of the Unified Land Development Code sets the dimensional standards that apply on top of Table A's use permissions. For the Rural (R) district, the table requires a minimum front setback of 25 feet from the property line (or 55 feet, or 75 feet where the lot fronts a state highway, measured from the road centerline), a minimum rear setback of 20 feet, and a minimum side setback of 10 feet, alongside a 20,000-square-foot minimum lot size and 100-foot minimum lot frontage for single-family homes.
The neighboring Conservation (C) and Conservation 5 (C5) districts carry the identical 25/20/10-foot setback figures but larger minimum lot sizes (43,560 square feet and 217,800 square feet respectively), reflecting the parish's tiered approach to low-density, rural and conservation land. Corner lots get limited relief: on lots fronting turning circles, cul-de-sac turnarounds or street corners, the required front yard may be reduced to one-half the normal figure under Table B footnote 3. Because setbacks are administered as part of the development-permit process, the Zoning Official checks a submitted site plan against these figures under Section 17-2090 before any building permit issues, and a landowner who cannot meet a setback must seek a variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment under Section 17-2090(Q), which requires a showing of unique hardship rather than mere inconvenience.
Violations & Fines
Building or expanding a structure that violates Table B's setback minimums is a violation of the Unified Land Development Code under Section 17-2090(W)(1): a fine of not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00, up to 30 days in jail, or both, with each day of the violation a separate offense. The Building Official may additionally issue a written stop-work order and require the structure be corrected or removed before a certificate of occupancy will be granted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far must a house sit from the front property line in unincorporated Ascension Parish?
What is the side and rear setback for a rural lot in Ascension Parish?
Can I get a break on setbacks for a corner lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ascension Parish
Compare Ascension Parish to another location·View the Louisiana building setbacks & zoning overview
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