Bolthole Index

Beauregard Parish, Louisiana

Building permits and land rules in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana

73Index Score / 100
#16 of 64 in Louisiana

Unincorporated Beauregard Parish, Louisiana requires building permits for construction and covered building-system work; farm buildings are exempt, while qualifying nonresidential hunting or fishing camps require an exemption application and affidavit1. Covered construction follows Louisiana's State Uniform Construction Code2. Inside a city or town, that municipality administers building permits and any local zoning, while septic permits parishwide come from the State Health Officer through the Beauregard Parish Health Unit345.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for construction and covered building-system work; farm buildings are exempt1
Building office
Beauregard Parish Building Permit Office in DeRidder6
Zoning
Parish-wide zoning could not be confirmed; ask the Police Jury about the parcel7
Septic permit
Required from the State Health Officer; local service is through the parish health unit485
RV or tiny home
Flood-hazard zones impose RV duration or readiness requirements; general long-term occupancy remains unconfirmed971
Owner-builder
Available for a primary residence after filing the state affidavit; the owner remains responsible for supervision and licensed trades1011
Private well
A licensed driller and post-installation registration apply; domestic wells follow the post-installation notice route12
Septic soils
10.5% of parish soils lack severe limits for a conventional drain field13

Who to call

Building permits

Beauregard Parish Building Permit Office

Building-permit questions and applications for unincorporated Beauregard Parish

(337) 463-7019

201 West 2nd St., DeRidder, LA 70634

Septic permits

Beauregard Health Unit/Sanitarian Services

Local sanitarian services for Louisiana's individual sewerage-system program

(337) 463-4486

216 Evangeline St., DeRidder, LA 70634

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 9, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Beauregard Parish means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana?

Yes. Beauregard Parish requires a properly issued building permit for construction and building-system work covered by its adopted technical codes1. Farm buildings are exempt; a private hunting or fishing camp qualifies only when it is not used or attached as a residence and the owner applies for an exemption and signs an affidavit1. An exception from that building-permit rule is not a blanket waiver of health, life-safety or contractor requirements14. Covered construction follows Louisiana's State Uniform Construction Code, with residential enforcement required for new construction, reconstruction, additions and extensive alterations2. Louisiana enforcement procedures include reviewing plans, conducting onsite inspections and issuing, denying or revoking building permits15. Beauregard Parish's building-permit fees and local inspection stages remain unconfirmed, so describe the parcel and project to the Building Permit Office before ordering plans or beginning work6.

Who issues building permits in Beauregard Parish?

The Beauregard Parish Building Permit Office is the local contact for building permits in unincorporated Beauregard Parish; the state health department's parish-office directory lists it at 201 West 2nd Street in DeRidder and gives the phone number shown above6. A local building department may issue a building permit even when the work does not require a contractor license, and an owner using the residential licensing exemption must submit the state affidavit before permit issuance16. Louisiana enforcement procedures include plan review, inspections and building-permit decisions, and certified third-party providers may conduct that work15. Ask the Building Permit Office for the current application, building-permit fee, inspection stages and any occupancy signoff because those local details remain unconfirmed6. Inside an incorporated city or town, contact the municipality for building permits and any municipal zoning; septic permits remain with the State Health Officer and are handled locally through the Beauregard Parish Health Unit for addresses throughout the parish345.

Does Beauregard Parish have zoning?

A parish-wide zoning ordinance or zoning map for unincorporated Beauregard Parish could not be confirmed, so do not treat the parish as unzoned7. Louisiana authorizes parish zoning of land use, structure dimensions, lot occupancy, open space and density, but that authority does not prove Beauregard Parish adopted a particular district1718. Ask the Police Jury or Building Permit Office whether zoning approval, setbacks, lot coverage, height or a minimum dwelling size apply to the parcel76. Inside a city or town, ask that municipality about its zoning; septic approval remains a separate state-health process through the Beauregard Parish Health Unit3419. Land division is more definite: the Beauregard Parish subdivision application asks for proposed lots, streets, water source, sewage treatment, drainage, flood-hazard status and road surface20. The subdivision application fee is $250 for three or fewer lots and $500 for more than three lots; those are subdivision fees, not building-permit fees21.

How do septic permits work in Beauregard Parish?

The State Health Officer issues permits for individual sewerage systems in Beauregard Parish, with local service through Beauregard Health Unit/Sanitarian Services4519. A permit is required before installing, altering or operating an individual system8. For a lot in a formal subdivision, the recorded plat or property survey must be filed with and approved by the Office of Public Health for individual sewerage use8. A conventional septic tank system may be used only where community sewer is unavailable and sanitary-code requirements are met22. Final verification may involve an onsite inspection, installer certification or both23. Only 10.5% of Beauregard Parish soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so obtain a site-specific health-unit determination before treating land as septic-ready13.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Beauregard Parish?

Beauregard Parish limits RV placement on sites in mapped flood-hazard Zones A1-30, AH and AE: an RV must stay fewer than 180 consecutive days, remain licensed and highway-ready, or satisfy the applicable permit, elevation and anchoring requirements9. Highway-ready means the RV remains on wheels or a jacking system, uses only quick-disconnect utilities and security devices, and has no permanent additions9. That floodplain rule does not confirm that long-term RV occupancy is allowed elsewhere, and we could not confirm Beauregard Parish's general private-land camping or tiny-home occupancy rules7. Ask the Building Permit Office how the unit is classified and what must be approved before occupancy16. Any individual sewerage system still needs state approval, and an off-grid arrangement may use individual sanitation only when community sewer is unavailable or connection is not feasible24. Tiny-home size and setbacks remain parcel-specific questions for the Building Permit Office25266.

Building a home in Beauregard Parish: steps in order

  1. Confirm that the parcel is in unincorporated Beauregard Parish; Louisiana assigns permit administration to the applicable parish or municipality3.
  1. Call the Building Permit Office with the parcel and project description, and request the current application, building-permit fee and inspection sequence6.
  1. Ask Beauregard Health Unit/Sanitarian Services whether community sewer is available and obtain the State Health Officer's permit before installing, altering or operating an individual sewerage system19822.
  1. If acting as general contractor for your primary residence, obtain the homeowner exemption form, file the required affidavit before permit issuance and plan to supervise the work onsite101116.
  1. Apply for the required parish building permit and build to the State Uniform Construction Code provisions covering the project127.
  1. Arrange the required building inspections and septic final verification before occupancy1523.

What should you check before buying land in Beauregard Parish?

Start with jurisdiction and permitted use: confirm whether the parcel is inside a municipality, then ask the Building Permit Office about zoning, setbacks, floodplain review, access and subdivision status76. A driveway connecting directly to a Louisiana state highway requires state access approval before work occurs in the highway right-of-way; access from a parish road may follow local rules instead28. Development in a regulatory floodway may need engineering support showing no rise or a floodway revision before a permit can issue29. For septic, only 10.5% of parish soils lack severe conventional-drain-field limits, making early health-unit review especially valuable1319. Beauregard Parish is 76.4% wooded and 99.6% of its land has slopes of 15% or less, so clearing, drainage and wet-site conditions may matter more than steep grading on many parcels3031. The effective property-tax rate is about 0.3%, while the median annual property-tax bill is about $5443233.

Watch-outs

  • A missing confirmed parish-wide zoning ordinance is not proof that a Beauregard Parish parcel has no land-use restrictions; ask the Police Jury or Building Permit Office for a parcel-specific answer76.
  • In mapped flood-hazard zones, an RV must meet the parish's duration, highway-readiness or elevated-and-anchored permitting route; this does not confirm long-term occupancy elsewhere9.
  • The agricultural contractor-licensing exemption does not itself waive building permits, zoning, health rules or life-safety requirements14.

Sources

  1. Code of Ordinances: Chapter 4½, Sec. 4½-3. Permits, quoted and re-checked
  2. Louisiana Revised Statutes §40:1730.28, quoted and re-checked
  3. Louisiana Revised Statutes 40:1730.23 — Enforcement of building codes by municipalities and parishes (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  4. OSWW Installer Workshop Installer Exam Study Guide, quoted and re-checked
  5. Louisiana Dept of Health, OPH Onsite Wastewater - Directory of Parish Offices (2026 county census)
  6. Beauregard Parish Building Permit Office (ldh.la.gov)
  7. (2026 county census)
  8. OSWW Installer Workshop Installer Exam Study Guide, quoted and re-checked
  9. Code of Ordinances: Chapter 5½, Sec. 5½-52. Specific standards, quoted and re-checked
  10. FAQ – Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors, quoted and re-checked
  11. Affidavit Claiming Exemption from Licensure, quoted and re-checked
  12. Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 43, Part VI, §701 (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  14. Louisiana Revised Statutes §37:2157, quoted and re-checked
  15. RS 40:1730.23 — Enforcement of building codes by municipalities and parishes, quoted and re-checked
  16. RS 37:2160 — Local regulatory authority; building permits, quoted and re-checked
  17. La. R.S. 33:4780.40 — Regulation authorized (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Louisiana Laws — creation of parish zoning districts (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Beauregard Health Unit/Sanitarian Services (ldh.la.gov)
  20. Beauregard Parish Police Jury Subdivision Application, quoted and re-checked
  21. Beauregard Parish Police Jury Subdivision Application, quoted and re-checked
  22. Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51, Part XIII, Public Health—Sanitary Code (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51, Part XIII, Public Health—Sanitary Code (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51, Part XIII, Public Health—Sanitary Code (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. RS 33:4721 — Regulation of size and use of buildings (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. RS 33:4721 — Regulation of size and use of buildings (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  27. RS 40:1730.28 — State Uniform Construction Code, quoted and re-checked
  28. LaDOTD Access Connections Policy (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  29. State of Louisiana No Rise Certification Guidance (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  30. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  31. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  32. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  33. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 9, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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Compared with neighboring counties

Like 5 of its 6 neighbors, Beauregard Parish requires a building permit for a home.

RuleBeauregard ParishCalcasieu ParishVernon ParishAllen ParishJefferson Davis ParishEvangeline ParishCameron Parish
Building permitRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredLimitedRequired
County zoningNot publishedYesYesNot publishedYesNoNot published
Septic permitsLA Dept. of HealthLA Dept. of HealthLDHLA Dept. of HealthLA Dept. of HealthLA Dept. of HealthLA Dept. of Health

County locator

Beauregard Parish in Louisiana

73
County map
Beauregard Parish highlighted among the Louisiana counties · colored by Index score

How Beauregard Parish scores

Seclusion71100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency68100% ev.
Admin Boringness5277% ev.
Durability56100% ev.
Property Autonomy44100% ev.
Carry Cost87100% ev.

Evidence strength: 96%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$188kTypical home
0.3%Property tax
$4,024Land / acre
60.1"Annual rain
14.5% of yrsSevere drought
11.8 / yr (+10.4)Mid-century 100°F days
18 daysMid-century dry spell
3.15" (+3.7%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.4×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$2,237Home insurance / yr
2.9% / yrInsurance growth
0.53%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
18,750People within 30 min
977,772People within 2 hr
17,101Radius comparison (15 mi)
31.8People / sq mi
0.1%Federal land
99.6%Land at 15% slope or less
10.5%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
71,285 acWorkable land screen
76.4%Wooded land
33.5 tonsBiomass / forest ac
67.4°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Beauregard Parish

Inside a city or town, that city usually issues building permits and sets zoning; the county’s rules above cover unincorporated land. Septic, wells and floodplain rules usually stay with the county or state everywhere.

DeRidder · Town of Merryville

Answers from the rulebook for Beauregard Parish

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Beauregard Parish rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction and covered building-system work in Beauregard Parish.

    • A properly issued permit must be obtained from the parish permits and code enforcement department.
    • Farm buildings are exempt.
    • Private outdoor recreational structures are exempt when they are hunting or fishing camps not used as residences and not attached to residences; the owner must apply for an exemption and execute an affidavit.
    • Residential repairs are covered when 50 percent of the space is affected.

    building size threshold: > 120 square feet (with plumbing)

    “The installation of which is regulated by the technical codes adopted in section 4½-2, or cause any work to be done, without obtaining a properly issued permit from the parish permits and code enforcement department for that work.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Recreational vehicles placed on sites within Zones A1-30, AH, and AE on the community's FIRM.

    • The RV must be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days; or be fully licensed and ready for highway use; or meet the permit requirements of section 5½-33(a) and the elevation and anchoring requirements for manufactured homes in subsection (4).
    • A recreational vehicle is ready for highway use only when it is on its wheels or jacking system, attached only by quick-disconnect utilities and security devices, and has no permanently attached additions.

    maximum site duration: < 180 consecutive days (unless the RV satisfies one of the other listed alternatives)

    “Require that recreational vehicles placed on sites within Zones A1-30, AH, and AE on the community's FIRM either (i) be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days, or (ii) be fully licensed and ready for highway use, or (iii) meet the permit requirements of section 5½-33(a), and the elevation and anchoring requirements for "manufactured homes" in subsection (4) of this section.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision applications submitted to the Beauregard Parish Police Jury.

    • The official application requires proposed lot, street, water-source, sewage-treatment, drainage, flood-hazard, and road-surface information.
    • The application fee is based on the number of lots: three or fewer lots costs $250; more than three lots costs $500.

    application fee for three or fewer lots: 250 USD · application fee for more than three lots: 500 USD

    “BEAUREGARD PARISH POLICE JURY SUBDIVISION APPLICATION”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Beauregard Parish subdivision application fees.

    • The fee schedule shown applies to subdivision applications and is based on the number of lots.
    • Three or fewer lots cost $250; more than three lots cost $500.

    application fee for three or fewer lots: 250 USD · application fee for more than three lots: 500 USD

    “Application Fee based upon the number of lots; three (3) or less $250, more than three (3) $500 $________ck#_______”

Louisiana rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Owners of property supervising or assuming charge of construction, alteration, repair, improvement, movement, demolition, erection, or maintenance of their personal residence in Louisiana under the contractor-licensing exemption in La. R.S. 37:2157(A)(13).

    • The residence must be the homeowner's personal residence and the homeowner may not build more than one residence per year.
    • The one-year period commences on the date the certificate of occupancy is issued.
    • An owner may build more than one single-family dwelling during a one-year period only when an additional residence results from a change in the owner's legal marital status or employment status requiring relocation to another employment location more than fifty miles from the owner's personal residence.
    • An affidavit of exemption on a form provided by the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors must be provided to obtain the building permit.
    • The owner-builder affidavit states that the house must be maintained as the owner's primary residence after issuance of the certificate of occupancy or completion of construction.
    • The exemption does not exempt licensable subcontractors from applicable licensure requirements.
    • Local and state health and life-safety code requirements continue to apply.
    • The official sources do not state a fee for the exemption or affidavit.

    maximum residences: 1 residence per one-year period (Additional single-family dwelling allowed when a change in legal marital status or employment status requires relocation more than 50 miles from the owner's personal residence.) · relocation distance: > 50 miles (Applies to the employment-relocation exception.) · one-year period start: date of issuance of certificate of occupancy

    “Owners of property who [...] assume charge of the construction [...] of their personal residences, if the homeowner does not build more than one residence per year.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — An owner building a primary residence in Louisiana, including Beauregard Parish.
      “allows an owner to build their primary residence without a license. [...] You cannot build a home to rent or sell without a license.”
    • Available (with conditions) — A property owner applying for a Louisiana building permit to act as general contractor for construction, repair, improvement, or maintenance of the owner's home or accessory building, including in Beauregard Parish.
      “I have applied for a permit under the exemption granted in La. R.S. 37:2157(A)(13) to act as the general contractor”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    The Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code, including the International Residential Code, applies statewide to regulated construction, including new residential construction, reconstruction, additions to homes previously built to the International Residential Code, and extensive alterations.

    • The International Residential Code enforcement described by the statute is mandatory only for new construction, reconstruction, additions to homes previously built to the International Residential Code, and extensive alterations.
    • Appendix J, Existing Buildings and Structures, may be adopted and enforced only at the option of a parish, municipality, or regional planning commission.
    • The statute excludes Part I-Administration and VIII-Electrical from the International Residential Code adoption described in the excerpt.
    • The council's initial code became effective January 1, 2007.
    • The statute page identifies an amendment effective July 1, 2026.

    extensive alteration threshold: > >50 percent of dwelling-unit area (The statute defines an extensive alteration as one where the total area of all work areas exceeds fifty percent of the dwelling unit.) · initial code effective date: 2007-01-01 · listed amendment effective date: 2026-07-01

    “The applicable standards referenced in that code are included for regulation of construction within this state.”
    5 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted — Construction, reconstruction, additions, and extensive alterations governed by Louisiana's State Uniform Construction Code, including Beauregard Parish.
      “International Residential Code [...] The enforcement of such standards shall be mandatory only with respect to new construction, reconstruction, additions [...] and extensive alterations”
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Construction and covered building work in Louisiana, including Beauregard Parish.
      “the council shall evaluate, adopt, and amend only the latest editions of the following as the State Uniform Construction Code”
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Construction regulated by the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code statewide.
      “The commission shall evaluate, adopt, and amend only the latest editions of all of the following as the Uniform Construction Code:”
    • Partial — The Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code's statewide adoption of the International Building Code and its referenced standards for construction in Louisiana.
      “(1) International Building Code, not including Parts I-Administrative, and Chapter 27-Electrical. The applicable standards referenced in that code are included for regulation of construction within this state. The appendices of that code may be adopted as needed, but the specific appendix or appendices shall be referenced by name or letter designation at the time of adoption.”
    • Adopted — The Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code, including the International Residential Code, regulates construction statewide and applies to new residential construction, reconstruction, additions to homes previously built to the code, and extensive alterations.
      “The International Residential Code, not including Part I-Administration and VIII-Electrical. The applicable standards referenced in that code are included for regulation of construction within this state. The enforcement of such standards shall be mandatory only with respect to new construction, reconstruction, additions to homes previously built to the International Residential Code, and extensive alterations; however, a municipality, parish, or regional planning commission may enforce Appendix J of the code at its option.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Commercial and residential structures subject to Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code enforcement.

    • Inspections are conducted by a building code enforcement officer or certified third-party provider.
    • Except for roofing inspections, the inspector or provider must be present on site.
    • A certified third-party provider may accept location-verified geotagged photographs or videos for required roofing and reroofing inspections.
    • The parish, municipality, regional planning commission, or third-party provider administering the inspection may prescribe lawful fees.
    “For purposes of code enforcement pursuant to this Section, a building code enforcement officer or a certified third-party provider shall conduct all inspections of any commercial or residential structure and for all inspections, other than roofing inspections, shall be present on site for such inspections.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Building inspections conducted by municipalities, parishes, or certified third-party providers under Louisiana construction-code enforcement, including unincorporated Beauregard Parish where the parish issues permits.
      “Enforcement procedures by building code enforcement officers or third-party providers acting in the capacity of a building code enforcement officer shall include [...] the conducting of inspections”
    • Required — Inspections of residential structures for allowing occupancy or reconnecting utilities, and inspections performed under Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code enforcement.
      “an inspector shall conduct a building inspection using the requirements of the codes in effect for the locality”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    New residential construction in a parish or municipality enforcing the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code, particularly where a residential mortgage lender is involved.

    • The statute expressly addresses a certificate of occupancy issued by a local building official or third-party provider for new residential construction.
    • Upon receipt of that certificate, a lender providing a residential mortgage loan must file a copy in the parish conveyance records.
    • The homeowner must provide the lender a copy.
    • The lender may assess only a reasonable filing charge not exceeding the amount charged by the parish for filing the document.
    • If the construction-code provisions cease to be enforced in a parish, the statutory filing provisions become null and void there.
    • In areas where windblown-debris storm shutters are required, occupancy may be allowed upon an affidavit that the owner ordered the shutters; installation must occur within ninety days, followed by notification and final inspection.

    storm-shutter installation deadline: 90 days (Applies when occupancy is allowed under the storm-shutter affidavit provision.)

    “Upon receipt of the certificate of occupancy issued by a local building official or third-party provider for a new residential construction, a lender who provides a residential mortgage loan for the purchase of such new residential construction shall file a copy of the certificate of occupancy in the conveyance records of the parish where the new residential construction is located.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    Louisiana's statutory zoning framework: parish governing authorities may create zoning districts, while local authority over land-use and zoning requirements is reserved to parishes or municipalities.

    • The statute does not publish a statewide map or a complete list of actual district boundaries.
    • District regulations must be uniform for each class or kind of land and structure within a district, but may differ between districts.
    • Actual zoning districts and ordinances must be obtained from the applicable parish or municipality.
    “the governing authority of a parish may divide the parish into districts of such number, shape, and area as may be deemed best suited”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Municipal zoning districts in Louisiana; the state authorizes municipalities to regulate the size of structures, which may include dwelling-size standards, but does not establish one statewide minimum dwelling size in this provision.

    • Any actual minimum dwelling-size requirement must be found in the applicable municipality's zoning ordinance or district regulations.
    • Local zoning ordinances remain subject to the judicial-review standards stated in the statute.
    “size of structures”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Certain subdivisions outside incorporated areas consisting of single-family lots owned by one owner or co-owners, subject to the parish and population exclusions in R.S. 33:106.1(A).

    • Minimum lot area is 22,500 square feet.
    • Minimum frontage is 125 feet.
    • For nonrectangular lots with less than 125 feet frontage, average width must be 125 feet and frontage must be at least 60 feet.
    • Lots must support sewage-disposal systems and individual water systems meeting Louisiana Department of Health suitability requirements.
    • The statutory planning-commission exemption does not apply in the parishes listed in R.S. 33:106.1(A), municipalities within those parishes, or jurisdictions with a population greater than 300,000.
    • The exemption preserves planning-commission authority over utilities, drainage, sewerage disposal, and street-planning dimensions, composition, and alignment.

    minimum lot area: >= 22500 square feet · minimum frontage: >= 125 feet (Nonrectangular lots may have less than 125 feet frontage only if average width is 125 feet and frontage is at least 60 feet.)

    “minimum square footage of twenty-two thousand five hundred square feet, with a minimum width of one hundred twenty-five feet of frontage”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Municipal zoning districts in Louisiana; municipalities may regulate the size of yards, courts, and other open spaces, which can include setbacks.

    • The applicable setback is determined by the local zoning ordinance and district.
    • No statewide numerical setback is established by the cited statute.
    “size of yards, courts, and other open spaces”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Municipal zoning districts in Louisiana; municipalities may regulate the percentage of a lot that may be occupied.

    • The applicable lot-coverage percentage is determined by the local zoning ordinance and district.
    • No statewide numerical lot-coverage limit is established by the cited statute.
    “percentage of lot that may be occupied”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Municipal zoning districts in Louisiana; municipalities may regulate building height and number of stories.

    • The applicable height limit is determined by the local zoning ordinance and district.
    • No statewide numerical building-height limit is established by the cited statute.
    “height, number of stories”
  • Who permits septicState

    Onsite individual sewerage systems in Beauregard Parish.

    • The State Health Officer issues the permit.
    • The accessible LDH study guide identifies the governing source as Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 51, Part XIII.
    • Local parish environmental-health staff may administer the state permitting system, but no separate parish rule was established in the accessible sources.
    “A person shall not install, cause to be installed, alter subsequent to installation, or operate an individual sewerage system of any kind without first having obtained a permit from the state health officer.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation, alteration, or operation of any individual sewerage system in Louisiana, including septic tank systems.

    • A permit from the state health officer is required before installation, alteration, or operation.
    • Plans and specifications must be approved as part of the permit.
    • A temporary installation permit may issue only after the state health officer determines connection to a community-type sewerage system is not feasible and the soil, drainage, lot size/dimensions, and related factors are unlikely to create a nuisance or public health hazard.
    • Permits for lots in formal subdivisions require an official recorded plat/property survey filed with and approved by the Office of Public Health for individual sewerage use.

    permit stages: two-stage process

    “A person shall not install, cause to be installed, alter subsequent to installation, or operate an individual sewerage system of any kind without first having obtained a permit from the state health officer.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Installation, alteration after installation, and operation of individual sewerage systems in Beauregard Parish.
      “A person shall not install, cause to be installed, alter subsequent to installation, or operate an individual sewerage system of any kind without first having obtained a permit from the state health officer.”
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    Final approval of individual sewerage system installations in Louisiana.

    • Final approval requires verification that the system was installed in compliance with the code.
    • Verification may be by an on-site inspection by a representative of the state health officer and/or a completed Certification by Installer from the licensed installer.
    • The installer must notify the appropriate local Parish Health Unit before installation.
    • The certification must be submitted within 15 days after completion.

    certification submission deadline: 15 days after completion

    “A final permit approving the installation, shall be issued only upon verification that the individual sewerage system has been installed in compliance with this code. The verification of such installation shall be determined by means of an on-site inspection conducted by a representative of the state health officer and/or in the form of a completed "Certification by Installer" form submitted to the state health officer by the licensed installer.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Use of individual or alternative onsite sewage systems instead of a community-type sewerage system in Louisiana.

    • Individual sanitation is allowed only when community-type sewerage is unavailable or connection is not feasible.
    • The system requires state-health-officer permitting and approved plans.
    • A conventional septic tank system may be used where community sewer is unavailable; an individual mechanical plant may be used only where community sewer is unavailable and the state health officer determines a conventional system would not function properly.
    • Innovative systems are limited to no more than three experimental or developmental installations statewide and require specifically approved plans, specifications, testing procedures, and a prior permit.

    experimental/developmental installations: <= 3 statewide maximum

    “The total number of such installations shall not exceed three throughout the state and shall be approved under the following conditions.”
  • Well permitLimited

    New water wells statewide in Louisiana, including wells outside critical groundwater areas, except the types specifically subject to post-installation notification or other exemptions.

    • All new water wells must be installed by a licensed water-well drilling contractor and registered through the Department of Transportation and Development within 30 days after completion.
    • Unless specifically listed in the exemptions, the owner must submit a water well notification form to the commissioner at least 60 days before installation.
    • Before construction begins, the drilling contractor must confirm that the Office of Conservation has received and responded to the installation notification.
    • Domestic wells, replacement wells, drilling rig supply wells, drought relief wells, and other wells exempted for just cause are subject to post-installation notification rules rather than the ordinary 60-day prior notification.
    • The commissioner reviews prior notifications within 30 days and may impose restrictions, request further information, or take no action; an additional 30-day review period may apply if further information is requested.
    • For large-volume wells or wells in a critical area of groundwater concern, the commissioner may fix allowable production, spacing, and metering; for other wells outside a critical area, an order may only fix spacing.
    • After written confirmation that no restrictions or further information are required, or when the owner accepts imposed restrictions, the owner need not wait the full 60 days and may begin drilling consistently with the notification and restrictions.

    prior notification period: 60 days (Does not apply to well types listed in LAC 43:VI §701.C and D.) · registration deadline after completion: 30 days (The applicable state registration requirement applies to all new water wells.) · additional review period if information requested: 30 days (Additional period begins when the requested information is received.)

    “require a water well notification form be submitted to the commissioner by the owner of the well at least 60 days prior to installation.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Residential or other individual sewerage-system sites governed by Louisiana Title 51 Part XIII.

    • A temporary individual-system permit may not issue until connection to a community-type sewerage system is determined not feasible.
    • A septic tank system may be used only where a community-type sewerage system is not available and the applicable code requirements are met.
    “Where a community-type sewerage system is not available, a septic tank system may be used provided that the requirements of §§511.B, 701, 703.A, and 705 are complied with.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Agricultural-purpose subdivision regulation by parish planning commissions in Louisiana.

    • The statutory exclusion applies to parish planning regulations governing subdivision of land in unincorporated territory for purposes other than agricultural.
    • Municipal planning commissions are separately authorized to regulate subdivision within their jurisdictions; this claim does not establish a municipal agricultural exemption.
    • Other statutory rules may still apply, including utility, drainage, sewerage-disposal, and street-planning requirements for qualifying subdivisions under R.S. 33:106.1.
    “Before exercising the powers referred to in R.S. 33:110, a parish planning commission shall adopt regulations governing the subdivision of land within unincorporated territory within its jurisdiction for purposes other than agricultural.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — Contractor-licensure exemption for farmers doing construction for agricultural purposes on leased or owned land in Louisiana, including Beauregard Parish.
      “Any farmer doing construction for agricultural purposes on leased or owned land.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Access connections or driveways connecting property to a Louisiana state highway and involving work in LaDOTD right-of-way.

    • The requirement applies to state-highway access connections; access to non-state local roads may instead be governed by the local government.
    • The permit certificate must be signed and numbered before construction begins.
    • Additional design, drainage, traffic-study, inspection, bonding, and restoration conditions may apply.
    “Only upon possession of a signed and numbered Access Connection Permit Certificate may the applicant begin construction of an access connection.”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Proposed development in a regulatory floodway in Louisiana communities using the State of Louisiana no-rise certification guidance.

    • A no-rise certification with supporting technical data may be submitted when modeling shows 0.00 feet rise.
    • If the project causes a rise, it must be modified, compensated for, or proceed through a floodway revision.
    • Floodway revision requests must come from the community and be obtained before permit issuance and development.
    • The community official must review and approve the supporting data and engineering certification before issuing a permit.

    permitted modeled rise for no-rise certification: 0 feet

    “Requests for floodway revisions must come from the community and be obtained prior to the issuance of a permit and proceeding with the development.”
  • Permit processPartial

    State Fire Marshal plan review and related construction review for covered Louisiana buildings and projects; ordinary local building-permit issuance may be administered by a parish or municipality.

    • The Office of State Fire Marshal states that plan review is required for buildings to be constructed, renovated, repaired, or subject to an occupancy change.
    • The primary legal exceptions identified by the Office of State Fire Marshal are new or renovated one- or two-family dwellings; roof-surface replacement is treated as maintenance and does not require submittal.
    • A plan-review submission requires a completed application, plan-review fee, one set of drawings and specifications, applicable architect or civil-engineer stamp, and a brief description of intended building use.
    • Incomplete submissions requiring a professional of record are returned without review.
    • For LSUCCC plan review, the Office of State Fire Marshal reviews structures excluding one- and two-family dwellings on behalf of a parish or municipality that requests its assistance; applicants must determine whether the relevant parish or municipality has contracted with the office or made other arrangements.
    • Plans that do not satisfactorily comply must receive a letter listing requirements that must be met before plans can be stamped Reviewed and before construction or renovation can begin.
    • Review constitutes compliance with the cited statute if construction begins within 180 days of review.
    • The State Fire Marshal review letter does not authorize omissions or deviations from applicable laws, rules, regulations, and codes.

    construction start deadline after plan review: <= 180 days (Review constitutes compliance with the cited section if construction begins within this period.) · required plan-review submission: completed application; plan review fee; one set of drawings and specifications; applicable professional-of-record stamp; brief description of building use (Professional-of-record requirements do not apply to private single-family and duplex dwellings where the cited licensing law does not require them.)

    “A Plan Review is required for all buildings to be constructed, renovated, repaired or the occupancy changed.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Partial — State-law building-permit administration applicable to Louisiana parishes, including Beauregard Parish.
      “Nothing in this Section shall prohibit a local building department from issuing a permit for work that does not require a license pursuant to this Chapter.”
  • Campground & park staysProhibited

    Overnight camping on Louisiana public property that is not a designated campground.

    • The prohibition applies to public property owned or controlled by the state or any local or political subdivision.
    • Designated campgrounds are excluded from the prohibition.
    • Violation may result in a fine of not more than $500, imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.
    • The statute states an effective date of June 9, 2026.

    maximum fine: <= 500 USD · maximum imprisonment: <= 6 months

    “Unauthorized camping on public property is the intentional use of any tent [...] to permit overnight use on public property that is not a designated campground.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • county zoning authorityLimited

    Louisiana parish governing authorities' zoning authority over parish land, including unincorporated areas, under the statewide parish zoning enabling subpart.

    • The general parish zoning authorization excludes Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine, and Webster Parishes.
    • A parish may divide the parish into zoning districts, and regulations may differ between districts but must be uniform for each class or kind of land and structure within each district.
    • Zoning regulations must comply with the required comprehensive plan.
    • No regulation becomes effective until after a public hearing.
    • Notice must be published once a week in three different weeks in the official parish journal, with at least fifteen days between first publication and hearing.
    • At least ten days before the hearing, the parish must make a good-faith attempt to notify owners of record by certified mail; when more than ten parcels are zoned or rezoned, official-journal advertisement is adequate notice.
    • To use the powers of the subpart, the parish governing authority must appoint a zoning commission, which must hold a public hearing and issue its final report before the governing authority holds its public hearings or acts.

    excluded parishes: Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine, and Webster · publication interval: 3 different weeks · minimum elapsed time before hearing: >= 15 days · owner notice deadline: >= 10 days before hearing (Good-faith certified-mail notice; official-journal advertisement is adequate when more than ten parcels are zoned or rezoned.)

    “For the purpose of promoting the health, safety, morals, or general welfare of the community, the governing authorities of parishes, other than the parishes of Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine, and Webster, or their duly created boards of adjustment are hereby authorized to regulate and restrict the height, number of stories, and size of structures; the percentage of lots that may be occupied; courts and other open spaces; the density of population; and the location and use of the buildings, structures, and land for trade, industry, residence, or other purposes.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Louisiana parish governing authorities adopting zoning regulations affecting parish territory, including unincorporated areas.
      “the governing authorities of parishes, other than the parishes of Rapides, Jefferson, Sabine, and Webster, or their duly created boards of adjustment are hereby authorized”
  • county building authorityGeneral

    Louisiana parishes may enforce the statewide construction codes and administer building-code enforcement, including permits and inspections, in unincorporated areas.

    • Parishes must enforce only the construction codes provided in the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Part.
    • Enforcement includes plan review, inspections, and issuance, denial, or revocation of permits.
    • Each parish must appoint a council-certified building official or contract for those services so the unincorporated area is under the jurisdiction of a certified building official.
    • A parish may use a certified building inspector instead of a certified building official for no more than four years from the date the state uniform construction code becomes effective in the parish.
    • The statute preserves federal manufactured-housing requirements and Louisiana Manufactured Housing Commission jurisdiction for manufactured-home construction, installation, service, renovation, repair, and warranty work.
    • The statute page identifies an amendment effective July 1, 2026.

    temporary certified-inspector period: <= 4 years (Measured from the date the state uniform construction code becomes effective in the parish or municipality.)

    “all municipalities and parishes in this state shall enforce only the construction codes provided for in this Part.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • General — Louisiana parishes' authority and duty to enforce the state construction codes, including residential construction codes, through building-code enforcement officers or certified third-party providers.
      “Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary relating to the authority of local governments to enforce construction codes, all municipalities and parishes in this state shall enforce only the construction codes provided for in this Part. All municipalities and parishes shall use building code enforcement officers or certified third-party providers contracted by the municipality, parish, or regional planning commission to act in the capacity of a building code enforcement officer to enforce the provisions of this Part.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • County-wide zoning — Countywide zoning authority in Beauregard Parish.
  • Local zoning — Local zoning controls within Beauregard Parish, including incorporated municipalities.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping in Beauregard Parish.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in Beauregard Parish.
  • Manufactured homes — Manufactured-home occupancy outside incorporated municipalities.
2 more unanswered
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Living off-grid in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana

Is Beauregard Parish a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Beauregard Parish scores 73/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and sparse surroundings — about 18,750 people within a 30-minute drive.

Do you need a building permit in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana?

Beauregard Parish generally requires a residential building permit. Onsite septic is permitted by Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health - Beauregard Parish Health Unit. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Beauregard Parish?

Living in an RV on your own land in Beauregard Parish is limited to specific cases: Recreational vehicles placed on sites within Zones A1-30, AH, and AE on the community's FIRM. The RV must be on the site for fewer than 180 consecutive days; or be fully licensed and ready for highway use; or meet the permit requirements of section 5½-33(a) and the elevation and anchoring requirements for manufactured homes in subsection (4). A recreational vehicle is ready for highway use only when it is on its wheels or jacking system, attached only by quick-disconnect utilities and security devices, and has no permanently attached additions. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana?

Land in Beauregard Parish runs about $4,024 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Beauregard Parish?

Beauregard Parish gets about 60.1" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 14.5% of years.

How remote is Beauregard Parish?

A representative private-land location has about 18,750 people within a 30-minute drive and 977,772 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

How Beauregard compares in Louisiana

Compare side-by-side →See all 64 Louisiana counties ranked →