Fence Regulations in Jefferson Parish, LA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Jefferson Parish, Louisiana.
Verified from official government sources
Height Limits
Jefferson Parish caps residential fences at eight feet along side and rear lot lines, rising to ten feet in the I-MU, I-L, I-H and AIM industrial districts. Front yards cannot be fenced at all without a variance from the Board of Zoning Adjustments, and fence height is measured from the lowest adjacent soil elevation, so retaining or low masonry walls count toward the limit.
Fence Height Limits in Jefferson Parish
Some RestrictionsJefferson Parish Code of Ordinances Sec. 40-743.5(a),(b)
In the event that the regulations in this section are in conflict with the regulations of the applicable zoning district, the more restrictive regulations, including section 40-665, clear vision area, shall apply. Height. A fence not to exceed a height of eight (8) feet may be erected along lot lines, in each side yard or side area when placed in alignment approximately parallel to the front lo...
Fence Permit Requirements
Every fence in Jefferson Parish needs a permit before it goes up, is altered, repaired, moved, or removed: the code requires an application to the Code Official along with a current property boundary survey. Fences over eight feet also need two full sets of plans, or a digital set, bearing a design professional's live stamp, though open-design fences can get that stamp requirement waived.
Fence Permit Rules in Jefferson Parish
Significant RestrictionsJefferson Parish Code of Ordinances Sec. 8-2-112.4 (with Sec. 8-2-112.2)
Fences shall be required to provide protection for excavations, construction and demolition as provided in chapter 33-Safeguards during construction of the currently adopted International Building Code; for swimming pools as provided in the currently adopted International Building Code; and as required by chapter 33 and chapter 40 of this Code. Any person, authorized agent, or contractor who de...
Retaining Walls
Jefferson Parish requires a retaining wall wherever a lot sits high enough above its neighbor that a swale or sub-surface drain cannot handle the run-off, and the Code Official decides when that threshold is crossed. Concrete or masonry walls must run at least six inches thick, and any wall taller than twelve inches above the lowest adjacent grade needs a design professional's stamped plans before the Department of Building Permits will approve it.
Retaining Wall Height and Engineering Rules in Jefferson Parish
Some RestrictionsJefferson Parish Code of Ordinances Sec. 8-2-111.1.1
If the Code Official determines the difference in lot elevation to be too great for a swale, sub-surface drainage or other approved alternative, or combination thereof, a retaining wall shall be required as necessary to prevent run-off from the higher lot flowing onto the lower lot. Such retaining wall shall be constructed of reinforced concrete or masonry, be a minimum of six (6) inches in thi...
Material Restrictions
Jefferson Parish's building code bars two categories of fence material outright: anything fragile or readily flammable, like paper, cloth, reeds, canes or canvas, and barbed wire or other materials the Director deems hazardous below seven feet off the ground. Every fence also has to be structurally sound and meet the same structural-design chapter that governs buildings.
Prohibited Fence Materials in Jefferson Parish
Some RestrictionsJefferson Parish Code of Ordinances Sec. 8-2-112.3
Fences shall be structurally sound and durable and in compliance with chapter 16—Structural design of the currently adopted International Building Code. No fragile, readily flammable materials such as paper, cloth, reeds, canes or canvas shall constitute a part of any fence, nor shall such material be used as an adjunct, attachment or supplement to any fence. The height of fences shall comply w...
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