Lafayette Parish, LA Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Allowed districts (city)
- "A," "RS," "RM" zoning districts
- Unincorporated parish
- only Table 89-83-1 permitted uses
- Floor area cap
- 10% of dwelling's gross floor area
- Daily visitor limit
- 10 customer/service visits per day
- Allowed hours
- 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. only
Summary
Lafayette City-Parish allows home occupations by right in "A," "RS," and "RM" zoning districts within the city, and as listed permitted uses in unincorporated parish areas, under strict operating limits.
(a) Applicability. This section applies to — (1) Any home occupation in the City of Lafayette that is located in the "A," "RS," or "RM" districts. Any permitted non-residential use is allowed in any other zoning district; or (2) Any home occupation in the unincorporated areas of Lafayette Parish listed as a permitted [P] use in Table 89-83-1 below.
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
Section 89-83 of the Development Code permits home occupations in Lafayette's "A" Agricultural, "RS" Single-Family, and "RM" Mixed Residential zoning districts within the city, and in the unincorporated parish only for uses listed as permitted in Table 89-83-1: offices, personal services, courier/delivery, personal instructional services, nonstore retail, and child care. The business must run entirely inside the dwelling, use no more than 10 percent of gross floor area, limit signage to one flat one-square-foot sign, operate only 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., see no more than ten customer visits a day, and employ at most one worker who doesn't live there. A Home Occupation Affidavit with site plan is required before a certificate of occupancy issues.
Violations & Fines
Operating a home occupation without the required certificate of occupancy affidavit, exceeding the 10 percent floor-area cap, or violating the signage, hours, or visitor limits can result in code enforcement action and revocation of the home occupation approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a home business anywhere in Lafayette Parish?
Can I hire outside employees for a home occupation?
Do I need a permit to start a home occupation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lafayette Parish
How Lafayette Parish compares: Easiest Cities to Run a Home Business·Compare Lafayette Parish to another location·View the Louisiana home business overview
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