Lafayette Parish, LA Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Base allowance
- 3 stories within first 50 ft
- Added height
- +1 story per extra 50 ft
- Uncapped zone
- No limit past 200 ft from lot line
- Story height cap
- 14 feet per story where capped
- Applies to
- City of Lafayette and unincorporated parish
Summary
Lafayette's RS single-family districts skip a flat height cap; instead a bulk-plane stepback allows 3 stories within 50 feet of any lot line, one more story per extra 50 feet, uncapped past 200 feet from any boundary.
3 stories for the first 50' from the front, side or rear lot line, then 1 additional story for each additional 50' from the setback line. This requirement does not apply beyond 200' from any lot line.
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
The Development Code's RS Residential Single-Family dimensional table (§ 89-9(b)) sets no flat maximum story count for the district. Instead, its Bulk Plane rule allows 3 stories for the first 50 feet from any front, side, or rear lot line, then one additional story for each further 50 feet, with no limit beyond 200 feet from any lot line. Where a district's table does list a maximum story count (RM, MN, CM), § 89-27(a)(3) separately caps each story at 14 feet. The Development Code applies in both the City of Lafayette and the unincorporated parish (§ 1-3); Broussard, Carencro, Duson, Scott, Youngsville and Milton set their own limits.
Violations & Fines
Constructing outside the bulk-plane envelope, or exceeding 14 feet per story where a story cap applies, requires a variance from the applicable planning and zoning body before LCG will issue a building permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a flat height limit in feet for RS district houses?
Does this cover unincorporated Lafayette Parish too, or just the city?
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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