Building Permits in New Orleans

The New Orleans Department of Safety & Permits issues city building permits. The city directs applicants to the One Stop App for online applications.

When a Permit Is Required

The city's guide states that permits are required for regulated work including construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, moving, demolition, occupancy changes and specified building-service systems. Confirm the exact permit type for the project.

New Construction

For the city's New Construction (Building Permit), New Orleans states that plans must be stamped by a licensed architect or engineer and are reviewed for compliance with city amendments to the International Building Code and the zoning ordinance. Other agency approvals can apply depending on location and scope.

The same official page currently publishes a duration of 2–5 business days for residential projects and 20–30 business days for commercial projects. These are retained only as project-specific city-published figures; they are not applied to other permit categories.

Permit Process

Identify the permit type, assemble the documents listed in the city's Standards for Complete Permit Applications, apply through One Stop App, complete required plan/zoning/agency reviews, resolve corrections, pay assessed fees, obtain the permit, and complete required inspections/final approvals.

Fees and Inspections

Fees and inspection requirements depend on permit type and scope. Use the current city fee and inspection instructions rather than generic estimates or sequences.

Official Sources

Use the Department of Safety & Permits guide and the project-specific permit page for current requirements.