Ouachita Parish, LA Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Exempt height
- Fences 6 feet or under, no permit
- Above 6 feet
- Permit required from parish building official
- Penalty range
- $100 to $500 per offense
- Coverage
- Unincorporated parish only
Summary
Ouachita Parish does not require a building permit to install a fence six feet or less in height under § 3½-123(b)(1)b; a taller fence falls under the parish's general construction-permit requirement in § 3½-123(a) and needs approval from the building official.
(b)Work exempt from permit. Permits shall not be required for the following. Exemption from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction.(1)Buildings:...b.Fences not over six (6) feet high.
Full Breakdown
Section 3½-123(b)(1)b lists 'fences not over six (6) feet high' among the work exempt from the parish's building permit requirement, alongside sheds, retaining walls, and similar minor construction. The exemption sits inside § 3½-123(b), which clarifies that being exempt from the permit 'shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction,' so a fence must still meet any other applicable parish requirement even without a permit.
' The application must describe the fence, its location, and anticipated completion, and be certified for code compliance under § 3½-123(c). This exemption and permit rule govern only the unincorporated parish; Monroe, West Monroe, and Sterlington set their own fence-height and permitting rules inside city limits.
Violations & Fines
Building a fence over six feet without the required permit is a misdemeanor under § 3½-111, punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars and not more than five hundred dollars for each offense, and the building official may seek to enjoin the unpermitted construction under § 3½-109.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build a fence in unincorporated Ouachita Parish?
Does the exemption mean a short fence has no rules at all?
What's the penalty for building a tall fence without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ouachita Parish
Compare Ouachita Parish to another location·View the Louisiana fence regulations overview
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