Building Permits in Baton Rouge

The City-Parish Permits & Inspections Division handles plan review, permitting, and code inspections for residential and commercial improvements in its jurisdiction. Applications are available through MyGovernmentOnline (MGO).

Work Requiring a Permit

The official residential guide identifies permit-required situations including new residences and commercial structures, additions, structural modifications to walls, roofs or ceilings, reroofing, replacement windows and doors, and changes to components of an egress path. It also lists accessory structures over 200 square feet among typical permit-required projects.

Project-specific rules still matter. Confirm the exact permit type before work begins.

Codes

The City-Parish residential materials link to its 2023 NEC and 2024 ICC code adoption information and to the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code. Use the current local adoption materials and state code rules for the application date, including any amendments.

Permit Process

1. Confirm that the property is within the City-Parish permitting jurisdiction.
2. Determine the required building and trade permits.
3. Apply through MGO and upload the required documents.
4. Complete plan review and respond to correction requests.
5. Pay the fees applicable to the permit.
6. Request required inspections as work progresses.
7. Pass all required inspections before any required Certificate of Occupancy is issued.

Fees

The City-Parish publishes specific residential and commercial fee schedules. For example, the current page lists a $25 technology fee for permits and uses separate square-foot or valuation-based formulas for various permit types. Because the formula depends on the project, use the official fee page for the actual calculation rather than a generic range.

Review Time

The City-Parish provides project-specific permit information and an FAQ addressing timing, but this guide does not state a universal turnaround estimate. Review duration can depend on scope, completeness, corrections, and other required reviews.

Contractors and Design Professionals

The residential guide states that residential work exceeding $7,500 must be performed by a registered home-improvement contractor or licensed residential contractor, while also describing a homeowner exemption process. Other licensing and design-professional requirements depend on the project and Louisiana law; verify them before filing.

Official Sources

Use the Permits & Inspections, Residential, and Permit & Inspection Fees pages for current application, permit-scope, inspection, and fee information.