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Jefferson Parish, LA Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

FEMA flood zone rules in Jefferson Parish, LA, also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules, determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.

Key Facts

Permit required for: new construction, fill, substantial improvement
Issuing agency: Dept. of Building Permits
Applies to: unincorporated parish flood zones only
Floodplain administrator: Dept. of Floodplain Mgmt & Hazard Mitigation
Also may require: federal CWA Sec. 404 permit
Max penalty: $1,000 and/or 6 months, per Sec. 1-10

FEMA Flood Zone Lookup

FEMA assigns every parcel in the U.S. a flood-hazard designation on its Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Zones starting with A or V are high-risk Special Flood Hazard Areas where federally backed mortgages require NFIP flood insurance. Zone X indicates moderate-to-minimal risk, where insurance is optional but often recommended. Your specific zone determines insurance cost, build elevation, and permit requirements in Jefferson Parish, LA.

Zone	What it means	NFIP required?
A	High-risk flood area; 1% annual chance flood, no detailed analysis.	Yes
AE	High-risk; same as A but with established Base Flood Elevations.	Yes
AH	High-risk shallow flooding (1-3 ft), usually ponding.	Yes
AO	High-risk shallow flooding (1-3 ft) with sheet flow on sloping terrain.	Yes
V	High-risk coastal zone subject to wave action (no BFE).	Yes
VE	High-risk coastal zone with wave action and established BFEs.	Yes
X (shaded)	Moderate risk; between the 1% and 0.2% annual chance flood.	Recommended
X	Minimal risk; outside the 0.2% annual chance floodplain.	No

Look up Jefferson Parish, LA on the FEMA flood map

FEMA maps update periodically; verify zone before buying flood insurance or building.

Summary

Before filling, grading, or building anything in a special or local flood hazard area of unincorporated Jefferson Parish, you need a floodplain development permit from the Department of Building Permits. Chapter 14 of the parish code makes it unlawful to start new construction, a substantial improvement, or place a manufactured home in Zones AE, VE, X, X-Protected by Levee, or the 0.2 percent annual chance zone without one.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Jefferson Parish. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(a)In unincorporated Jefferson Parish, it shall be unlawful to proceed with any new development, construction, substantial improvement, to include "repetitive loss" and "substantial damaged structures", or manufactured homes, without having obtained a permit properly numbered and approved from the director of the building permits.(b)It shall be the duty of the department of building permits to see that such work requiring a permit is authorized. All work must comply with the building code, as well as this chapter, and shall be subject to inspection whether a permit is required or not, and is subject to citation at the discretion of the director.(c)All necessary permits must be received from those governmental agencies from which approval is required by federal or state law, including Section 404 of the Federal Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1973, 33 U.S.C. 1334.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 20 Update 2).

Full Breakdown

The rule applies parish-wide in unincorporated areas only; Gretna, Harahan, Kenner, and Westwego administer their own floodplain programs. Applications go to the Department of Building Permits and must include scaled site plans, the proposed NAVD 88 elevation for non-residential flood-proofing, and a description of any watercourse alteration. The floodplain administrator, the director of the Department of Floodplain Management and Hazard Mitigation, reviews base flood elevation data, map disputes, and community rating system paperwork, while the Department of Building Permits reviews applications against factors including danger to life and property, susceptibility to flood damage, effect on drainage, and availability of alternative sites.

Work is subject to inspection whether a permit was pulled or not, and permittees still need separate federal or state sign-off where required, including a Section 404 Clean Water Act permit for dredging or filling wetlands. The chapter's standards are minimums: any conflicting parish ordinance, easement, or deed restriction that is stricter still controls, and the whole scheme must comply with 44 CFR Part 60, the federal floodplain management regulation tied to the parish's participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. A property owner who disagrees with a permit denial or condition can appeal to the Board of Standards and Appeals within fifteen days of notice, and further to the Parish Council.

Violations & Fines

Building, filling, or altering land in a mapped flood hazard area without the required permit is enforced by the director of the Department of Building Permits, who may issue a citation regardless of whether a permit exists. Because Sec. 14-7.4 ties enforcement to the Code's general penalty section, a violation can draw a fine of up to $1,000.00 and up to six months imprisonment under Sec. 1-10, with each day the violation continues counted as a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to build in a Jefferson Parish flood zone?

Yes. Sec. 14-5.1(a) makes it unlawful to proceed with new development, construction, a substantial improvement, or a manufactured home in a mapped special or local flood hazard area of unincorporated Jefferson Parish without a numbered permit from the Department of Building Permits.

Does this apply if I live in Kenner or Gretna?

No. Sec. 14-3.1 limits Chapter 14 to unincorporated Jefferson Parish. Gretna, Harahan, Kenner, and Westwego are incorporated cities that run their own floodplain management programs under their own codes, not this chapter.

Can I be cited even without a permit on file?

Yes. Sec. 14-5.1(b) makes all work subject to inspection whether or not a permit was required, and the director of Building Permits can issue a citation at his discretion if the work doesn't comply with the building code and this chapter.

What federal permits might I still need?

Sec. 14-5.1(c) requires applicants to obtain any permits required by federal or state law separately, specifically naming Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which covers dredging, filling, or discharging material into wetlands and other waters.

Sources & Official References

[1]Jefferson Parish Code of Ordinances Ch. 14, Art. V

Other rules in Jefferson Parish

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingLight Restrictions Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome Restrictions Flood Elevation RequirementsSome Restrictions Erosion ControlSome Restrictions Stormwater ManagementSignificant Restrictions Parking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant Restrictions Parking Rules: Loading ZonesSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSome Restrictions Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage TreesSignificant Restrictions

All Jefferson Parish rules

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