Terrebonne Parish, LA Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Section 22-29 sets Terrebonne Parish's rules for building a driveway across a public sidewalk. A "single driveway" is defined as eight feet wide; a "double driveway" as more than eight feet but not more than twenty feet wide, both measured against the parish's adopted "Plan of Standard Driveway for Integral Curb and Walk," kept on file with the parish council clerk. Any property owner wanting to build more than one double driveway to their property must apply for a permit, filing a plan showing where the driveways will go; no more than two double driveways are allowed on the same street, and they must sit at least twenty feet apart measured at the curb, unless the parish council or its delegate grants special authority after the owner demonstrates a need and the council weighs the effect on local traffic, parking and pedestrian movement.

Businesses that operate vehicles forty feet or longer can get a wider driveway, up to twenty-six feet, under the same permitting process. The driveway itself must be built of concrete mixed at no less than one part cement to two parts sand and four parts washed gravel, though the cement ratio may be increased. If an owner builds a nonconforming driveway or skips the permit, section 22-29(e) does not create a criminal fine directly; instead it authorizes the parish to sue the owner for a mandatory injunction or other legal remedy forcing repairs to bring the driveway into conformance.

Because the standard plan is on file with the parish council clerk rather than printed in the Code itself, anyone planning a driveway should request a copy before submitting the permit application.