Lafayette Parish, LA Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum heat
- 68°F in habitable rooms
- Minimum bedroom size
- 70 sq ft (50 if shared)
- Minimum ceiling height
- 7 feet
- Hot water minimum
- 110°F at fixtures
- Coverage
- City of Lafayette + unincorporated parish
Summary
The LCG Property Maintenance Code sets minimum habitability standards for every rental unit in the City of Lafayette and unincorporated Lafayette Parish, required heat, plumbing fixtures, light, and ventilation, enforced by the building official through inspection and correction orders.
Every dwelling unit shall be provided with heating facilities capable of maintaining a minimum room temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit in all habitable rooms, Bathrooms and toilet rooms. Cooking appliances shall not be used to provide space heating to meet the requirements of this section, nor shall portable unvented fuel-burning space heaters be used, as a means to provide required heating.
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
Chapter 26, Article V (the LCG Property Maintenance Code) governs every existing residential structure in both the City of Lafayette and unincorporated Lafayette Parish (Sec. 26-251, Scope). Landlords must supply a working bathtub or shower, lavatory, flush toilet, and kitchen sink (Sec. 26-269), heating capable of holding 68 degrees Fahrenheit in habitable rooms (Sec. 26-275), hot water at 110 degrees, and minimum light, ventilation, and room-size standards (Division 5). The building official enforces the code through scheduled inspections under a right-of-entry process (Sec. 26-257) and can order repairs, disconnect utilities, or vacate a unit that poses an imminent hazard to occupants (Sec. 26-258(e)).
Violations & Fines
Building official inspects under notice-and-entry procedures and issues correction orders; units posing an imminent hazard can be vacated or have utilities disconnected (Sec. 26-258(e)), with unresolved cases going to LCG's administrative hearing officer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply in the City of Lafayette or only the unincorporated parish?
What temperature must a rental be heated to?
Can the parish inspect a rental for habitability problems?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lafayette Parish
Compare Lafayette Parish to another location·View the Louisiana rental property rules overview
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