Bolthole Index

Bossier Parish, Louisiana

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Bossier Parish, Louisiana

64Index Score / 100
#37 of 64 in Louisiana

Unincorporated Bossier Parish, Louisiana requires a building permit before regulated construction or building-system work begins; incorporated municipalities may issue their own building permits1. Zoning depends on the parcel's MPC or municipality2. Septic permits throughout Bossier Parish come from the Louisiana state health officer, with installation notice and final verification handled through the local Parish Health Unit3.

At a glance

Building permit
Required before regulated work proceeds in unincorporated Bossier Parish1
Zoning
Varies by MPC or municipality; the applicable district controls parcel standards2
Septic permit
Issued by the Louisiana state health officer; coordinate locally with the Parish Health Unit3
Owner-builder exemption
For a primary residence the owner will occupy, not a home built to rent or sell; permits and an exemption form are still required4
RV / caregiver unit
A qualifying caregiver RV or separate dwelling requires a Special Exception in the Benton-Parish MPC area56
Septic soils
Only 11.3% of Bossier Parish soils rate free of severe limits for a conventional septic drain field7
Tiny home
One verified Haughton MPC approval is parcel-specific, not a parish-wide right8

Who to call

Building permits

Code Inspections Plus (Bossier Parish building official)

Building permits and code compliance for unincorporated Bossier Parish, under contract as the parish's designated building official

318-562-3030

info@lacodes.com

700 Benton Rd., Suite B, Bossier City, LA 71111

Zoning

Benton-Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC)

Zoning compliance, site-plan review and planning-commission approvals for unincorporated Bossier Parish

318-965-2329

204 Burt Blvd., Benton, LA 71006

Septic permits

Louisiana Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater Program

Statewide onsite wastewater (septic) licensing and rules; local permitting for Bossier Parish is run by the sanitarian at the Bossier Parish Health Unit

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 Bossier 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 Bossier Parish, Louisiana?

Yes, for regulated work in unincorporated Bossier Parish. A building permit must be issued before constructing, enlarging, altering, extensively repairing, moving or demolishing a regulated building, changing its occupancy, or doing regulated electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing work1. Code Inspections Plus serves as the building official outside incorporated areas and administers the parish's adopted building requirements9. Incorporated municipalities may issue their own building permits, but septic permits remain with the Louisiana state health officer and local Parish Health Unit process13. During permitted work, the permit holder must request inspections and may not build past an inspection point without approval10. A certificate of occupancy is required before a regulated building is occupied or its occupancy classification changes, subject to the ordinance's exemptions11.

Who issues building permits in Bossier Parish, and how do you reach them?

Code Inspections Plus accepts online building-permit applications for unincorporated Bossier Parish through My Government Online12. Before applying, complete the plans and obtain any zoning approval required for the parcel13. Building-permit applications, site plans and associated fees for Benton-Parish MPC review go to Code Inspections Plus, while the MPC may approve a changed fee schedule each year14. Because incorporated municipalities may have separate building-permit authorities, confirm the jurisdiction before filing1. A city building-permit process does not replace the state health officer's septic permit or the local Parish Health Unit's role in installation notice and final verification3.

Does Bossier Parish have zoning?

Bossier Parish has zoning, but one rulebook does not cover every parcel. The Benton-Parish MPC covers its five-mile unincorporated planning area, while other municipalities and MPC jurisdictions administer their own zoning2. The Bossier City-Parish Unified Development Code also reaches adjacent unincorporated land only where the City Council and Police Jury jointly place that area under the code15. Within Benton-Parish MPC review, the parcel's district and project determine setbacks, building height and lot coverage; no single parish-wide numeric standard was confirmed161718. The 2-acre tract minimum applies only to a manufactured or modular caregiver home under the verified rule, not every home or lot19. Septic approval remains a state health function even where a city or MPC sets zoning3.

How do septic permits work in Bossier Parish?

A permit from the Louisiana state health officer is required before an individual septic system is installed, altered or operated in Bossier Parish3. The installer must notify the local Parish Health Unit before installation, and final approval requires an onsite inspection and/or the installer's completed certification3. A septic tank system may be used only where community sewer is unavailable and the sanitary-code conditions are met3. Soil feasibility deserves attention before purchase: only 11.3% of Bossier Parish soils rate free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field7. Make the septic evaluation a purchase contingency and ask the Bossier Parish Health Unit sanitarian what design the site can support20.

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

The Benton-Parish MPC rule covers a narrow caregiver use, not general RV living. In that planning area, one RV on the same tract as a primary residence may receive a Special Exception when qualifying relatives or employees provide security or caretaking services5. A manufactured or modular caregiver home also requires a Special Exception and a tract of at least 2 acres; only one separate dwelling is allowed, and the unit cannot be rented, used as guest quarters or occupied by the property owner21. Setback, yard, annual-application, covenant and driveway conditions also apply21. Access from public streets is reviewed for development subject to site-plan review, with the exact requirement depending on the project and jurisdiction22. Ask the parcel's planning authority about general RV living, camping or tiny-home occupancy because those broader uses could not be confirmed2.

Building a home in Bossier Parish: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the parcel's MPC or municipal zoning jurisdiction, then get its use, setback, height and lot-coverage standards2161718.
  2. Complete the plans and obtain any required zoning approval before submitting the building-permit package13.
  3. Apply online through My Government Online for a building permit for regulated work in unincorporated Bossier Parish; city parcels may use a municipal building-permit authority121.
  4. If acting as owner-builder, obtain the building permit and exemption form and build only the primary residence you will occupy, not a house intended for rent or sale4.
  5. Obtain the septic permit from the state health officer and coordinate installation notice and final verification with the local Parish Health Unit3.
  6. Obtain a floodplain development permit before building, altering, regrading or filling in a Special Flood Hazard Area23.
  7. Schedule each required building inspection and obtain approval before proceeding beyond that inspection point or connecting regulated utilities1024.

What to check before you buy land in Bossier Parish

Only 11.3% of Bossier Parish soils rate free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so make septic feasibility a purchase contingency7. Check the flood map early because development in a Special Flood Hazard Area needs a floodplain development permit before building, alteration, regrading or fill23. Confirm legal access and proposed driveway placement with the applicable planning authority because access from public streets is part of site-plan review and requirements vary by project and jurisdiction22. If the parcel will be divided, determine which subdivision code applies and secure required approvals before title transfer25. Louisiana requires new water wells to be installed by a licensed contractor and registered after completion, while domestic wells follow post-installation notification rules rather than the ordinary advance-notice process26. The effective property-tax rate is about 0.6%, with a median annual bill near $1,3802728.

Watch-outs

  • Only 11.3% of Bossier Parish's soils rate free of severe limits for a conventional septic drain field; get a site evaluation from the Bossier Parish Health Unit sanitarian before assuming a standard system will work7.
  • The caregiver-unit rules do not establish a general right to live in an RV or tiny home; ask the parcel's MPC or municipality about the proposed use before purchase52.
  • Development in a Bossier Parish Special Flood Hazard Area needs a floodplain development permit before building, alteration, regrading or fill23.

Sources

  1. Bossier Parish Building Safety Code Ordinance 4202, quoted and re-checked
  2. Zoning Compliance and Site Plan Review, quoted and re-checked
  3. Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51, Public Health—Sanitary Code, quoted and re-checked
  4. FAQ – Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors, quoted and re-checked
  5. Police Jury Meeting Minutes, December 15, 2021, quoted and re-checked
  6. bossierparishla.gov, quoted and re-checked
  7. 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
  8. Bossier Parish Ordinance No. 4987, quoted and re-checked
  9. Parish Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  10. Bossier Parish Building Safety Code Ordinance 4202, quoted and re-checked
  11. Bossier Parish Building Safety Code Ordinance 4202, quoted and re-checked
  12. Code Inspections Plus (Bossier Parish building official) (bossierparishla.gov)
  13. Zoning Compliance and Site Plan Review, quoted and re-checked
  14. Bossier City-Parish Unified Development Code, Ordinance No. 4705, quoted and re-checked
  15. Unified Development Code Ordinance 4705, quoted and re-checked
  16. Zoning Compliance and Site Plan Review, quoted and re-checked
  17. Zoning Compliance and Site Plan Review, quoted and re-checked
  18. Zoning Compliance and Site Plan Review, quoted and re-checked
  19. bossierparishla.gov, quoted and re-checked
  20. Louisiana Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater Program (ldh.la.gov)
  21. Police Jury Meeting Minutes, December 15, 2021, quoted and re-checked
  22. Zoning Compliance and Site Plan Review, quoted and re-checked
  23. bossierparishla.gov, quoted and re-checked
  24. Bossier Parish Building Safety Code Ordinance 4202, quoted and re-checked
  25. bossierparishla.gov, quoted and re-checked
  26. Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 43, Part VI, §701 (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  27. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  28. 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 all 6 of its neighbors, Bossier Parish requires a building permit for a home.

RuleBossier ParishWebster ParishCaddo ParishBienville ParishClaiborne ParishDe Soto ParishRed River Parish
Building permitRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequired
County zoningYesNoYesNot publishedNoNot publishedNot published
Septic permitsLA Dept. of HealthLDHLA Dept. of HealthLA Dept. of HealthLA Dept. of HealthLA Dept. of HealthLA Dept. of Health

County locator

Bossier Parish in Louisiana

64
County map
Bossier Parish highlighted among the Louisiana counties · colored by Index score

How Bossier Parish scores

Seclusion45100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency69100% ev.
Admin Boringness46100% ev.
Durability61100% ev.
Property Autonomy44100% ev.
Carry Cost87100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$246kTypical home
0.6%Property tax
$3,746Land / acre
53.3"Annual rain
18.3% of yrsSevere drought
27.5 / yr (+21.5)Mid-century 100°F days
20.1 daysMid-century dry spell
2.46" (+4.5%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.41×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,777Home insurance / yr
2.8% / yrInsurance growth
0.65%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
67,191People within 30 min
1,404,667People within 2 hr
51,476Radius comparison (15 mi)
154.6People / sq mi
5.8%Federal land
98.4%Land at 15% slope or less
11.3%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
56,618 acWorkable land screen
74.5%Wooded land
42.1 tonsBiomass / forest ac
65.1°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Bossier 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Bossier Parish

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

Bossier Parish rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction and other regulated work in unincorporated Bossier Parish.

    • The building official must issue the permit before regulated work proceeds.
    • Incorporated municipalities may have separate permitting authorities.
    “It shall be unlawful to construct, enlarge, alter, extensively alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of any building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, extensively alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by the technical codes adopted in section 19-3, or to cause any such work to be done, without obtaining a properly issued permit from the Bossier Parish Building Official for that work”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Bossier Parish building-code administration outside incorporated areas.

    • The parish building page states that Code Inspections Plus serves as building official outside incorporated areas.
    • Permit and inspection requirements apply to work for which a permit is required.
    “Construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the building official and such construction or work shall remain accessible and exposed for inspection purposes until approved.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Work regulated by the Bossier Parish building code.

    • The permit holder or agent must notify the building official when work is ready for inspection.
    • Work may not proceed beyond each inspection point without approval.
    • The final inspection must be received before the certificate of occupancy is issued.
    “Work shall not be done beyond the point indicated in each successive inspection without first obtaining the approval of the building official.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Use, occupancy, or occupancy-classification changes for buildings and structures regulated by the Bossier Parish building code.

    • Certificates are not required for work exempt from permits under §19-5.
    • Accessory buildings or structures are excepted.
    • A temporary certificate may be valid for 28 days.

    temporary certificate validity: 28 days

    “No building or structure shall be used or occupied, and no change in the existing occupancy classification of a building or structure or portion thereof shall be made until the building official has issued a certificate of occupancy therefore as provided herein.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land development in adjacent unincorporated Bossier Parish areas jointly placed under the Bossier City-Parish MPC Unified Development Code.

    • The UDC applies to adjacent unincorporated areas only when the Bossier City Council and Bossier Parish Police Jury jointly agree those areas are governed by the Code.
    • The jurisdictional area is depicted on a formally adopted MPC map.
    “This Code and the provisions contained herein shall hereafter govern all land development within the incorporated areas of the City of Bossier City, Louisiana, as now or may be hereafter established, together with such adjacent unincorporated areas of Bossier Parish which the Bossier City Council and the Bossier Parish Police Jury may jointly agree to become governed by this Code.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate conclusion for local zoning across Bossier Parish; local zoning is administered by separate municipal or planning authorities rather than uniformly by the parish.

    • Benton-Parish MPC zoning applies to property within its five-mile unincorporated planning area.
    • The parish developer page separately identifies Benton-Parish MPC, Bossier City MPC, and Haughton MPC.
    “Zoning Compliance and Site Plan Development Jurisdiction Bossier Parish - (property located within the 5 mile unincorporated area of the Benton –Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission)”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Varies (with conditions) — Aggregate local zoning across Bossier Parish, including the Benton-Parish MPC jurisdiction and other municipal or MPC jurisdictions.
      “Zoning Compliance and Site Plan Development Jurisdiction Bossier Parish - (property located within the 5 mile unincorporated area of the Benton –Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission)”
    • Present (with conditions) — Zoning compliance and site-plan review for property in the five-mile unincorporated area of the Benton-Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission.
      “Zoning Compliance and Site Plan Development Jurisdiction Bossier Parish - (property located within the 5 mile unincorporated area of the Benton –Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission)”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Caregiver manufactured or modular dwelling tracts in the stated Benton-Parish MPC districts.

    • The two-acre minimum applies to the caregiver dwelling rule and is not established here as a countywide minimum for every lot or dwelling.

    minimum tract area: >= 2 acres (caregiver manufactured or modular dwelling)

    “The tract of land on which a manufactured or modular home is to occupy shall be a minimum of two acres in area and only one separate dwelling unit shall be allowed per individual tract.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Manufactured or modular caregiver homes in R-A or R-1 districts within the unincorporated Benton-Parish MPC planning area.
      “The tract of land on which a manufactured or modular home is to occupy shall be a minimum of two acres in area and only one separate dwelling unit shall be allowed per individual tract.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Development subject to Benton-Parish MPC site-plan review and caregiver-unit standards.

    • The site-plan review page states that setbacks are reviewed against zoning standards.
    • For the caregiver dwelling, separation must be at least twice the minimum side hard setback requirement and the dwelling may not be in the front yard.
    “The additional single-family dwelling shall be separated from the primary residence by a distance of at least twice the minimum side hard setback requirement. The residence shall not be located in the front yard and all efforts should be made to locate the separate dwelling in the rear yard.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Zoning review in the Benton-Parish MPC planning area.
      “The Benton MPC will verify compliance with zoning regulations including authorized uses within zoning districts, required parking, and property development standards such as lot coverage, building height, setback, and density requirements.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Projects subject to Benton-Parish MPC zoning and site-plan review.

    • The applicable district and project determine the actual coverage standard; no single countywide percentage was verified.
    “The Benton MPC will verify compliance with zoning regulations including authorized uses within zoning districts, required parking, and property development standards such as lot coverage, building height, setback, and density requirements.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Zoning review in the Benton-Parish MPC planning area.
      “The Benton MPC will verify compliance with zoning regulations including authorized uses within zoning districts, required parking, and property development standards such as lot coverage, building height, setback, and density requirements.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Projects subject to Benton-Parish MPC zoning and site-plan review.

    • The applicable district and project determine the actual height standard; no single countywide numeric limit was verified.
    “The Benton MPC will verify compliance with zoning regulations including authorized uses within zoning districts, required parking, and property development standards such as lot coverage, building height, setback, and density requirements.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Zoning review in the Benton-Parish MPC planning area.
      “The Benton MPC will verify compliance with zoning regulations including authorized uses within zoning districts, required parking, and property development standards such as lot coverage, building height, setback, and density requirements.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    One recreational vehicle used as a caregiver unit on the same tract as a primary residence in the unincorporated Benton-Parish MPC planning area.

    • Only one RV may be permitted on the same tract as a primary residence.
    • Approval is a Special Exception through the Benton-Parish MPC.
    • Caregiver units must be occupied by relatives or employees providing security or caretaking services.
    • The RV must be stored on asphalt or concrete.
    • In R-1 districts, the RV must be in the rear yard.
    • The tract must meet Bossier Parish Health Department potable-water and sewerage-treatment standards.
    • New driveway cuts require Bossier Parish Engineer approval before the Special Exception application.
    • The approval does not supersede subdivision covenants.
    • Annual renewal and recorded-covenant requirements apply.
    “In the unincorporated areas of the Benton-Parish MPC planning area, a single manufactured, modular home or recreational vehicle (RV) may be permitted on the same tract of land as a primary residence without the requirement of a subdivision plat in the R-A, Residential Agriculture Districts, or R-A, Residence One-Family Districts.”
  • Tiny homesLimited

    Placement of a tiny home on the specifically described tract in Section 8, Township 18 North, Range 11 West, on the south side of Louisiana Highway 80 west and adjacent to Louisiana Highway 157, within the Haughton Metropolitan Planning Commission area.

    • The ordinance changes the tract's zoning classification from nonconforming R-A, Residence-Agricultural District, to R-MHS, Residential Manufactured Home Subdivision District.
    • The approval is specific to the described tract and does not establish unrestricted countywide tiny-home occupancy.
    • The ordinance title describes the tract as .575 acres; the legal description states the tract contains .605 acres.
    • The ordinance was adopted unanimously on November 1, 2023.

    tract area stated in ordinance title: 0.575 acres (The legal description states .605 acres.) · tract area stated in legal description: 0.605 acres (The ordinance title states .575 acres.)

    “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE FOR THE HAUGHTON METROPOLITAN PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE PARISH OF BOSSIER, LOUISIANA, BY CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF A CERTAIN TRACT OF LAND BEING .575 ACRES, MORE OR LESS, LOCATED IN SECTION 8, TOWNSHIP 18 NORTH, RANGE 11 WEST, BOSSIER PARISH, LA, FROM NONCONFORMING R-A, RESIDENCE-AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT, TO R-MHS, RESIDENTIAL MANUFACTURED HOME SUBDIVISION DISTRICT, FOR PLACEMENT OF A TINY HOME ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF LA HIGHWAY 80 WEST AND ADJACENT TO LA HIGHWAY 157.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    A manufactured or modular caregiver home on the same tract as a primary residence in the unincorporated Benton-Parish MPC planning area.

    • The tract must be at least two acres.
    • Only one separate dwelling unit is allowed per tract.
    • The unit must be occupied by qualifying relatives or employees and may not be rented, used as guest quarters, or occupied by the property owner.
    • The tract must meet Bossier Parish Health Department potable-water and sewerage-treatment standards.
    • The additional dwelling must meet separation, yard, driveway, covenant, annual-application, and fee conditions in §126-802.

    minimum tract area: >= 2 acres

    “The tract of land on which a manufactured or modular home is to occupy shall be a minimum of two acres in area and only one separate dwelling unit shall be allowed per individual tract.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — A manufactured or modular caregiver dwelling in the unincorporated Benton-Parish MPC planning area.
      “The tract of land on which a manufactured or modular home is to occupy shall be a minimum of two acres in area and only one separate dwelling unit shall be allowed per individual tract.”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    A separate caregiver dwelling on a tract with a primary residence in the unincorporated Benton-Parish MPC planning area.

    • The separate unit requires Special Exception approval.
    • Only a qualifying caregiver unit is covered by the verified provision.
    • A recorded covenant and annual Special Exception application are required.
    “Approval shall be considered a Special Exception and shall follow the procedure set forth by the Benton-Parish MPC.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Connection of utilities to buildings or systems regulated by the Bossier Parish building code.

    • A utility connection requires approval by the building official when a permit is required.
    • Temporary connections may be authorized by the building official.
    • The building official may disconnect an unapproved connection or one presenting an immediate hazard.
    “No person shall make connections from a utility, source of energy, fuel or power to any building or system that is regulated by the code for which a permit is required, until approved by the building official.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and land development in Bossier Parish jurisdictions governed by the Parish subdivision code or MPC development code.

    • The Parish identifies Chapter 110 as the subdivision code.
    • The UDC prohibits transferring title unless required subdivision approvals and an approved plan or plat have been obtained and filed.
    “To engage or attempt to engage in the development or subdivision of land in any way not consistent with the requirements of this Code;”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Access from public streets for development subject to zoning and site-plan review.

    • Access is one of the site-plan issues reviewed.
    • The exact access requirement depends on the project and applicable jurisdictional standards.
    “In these cases, there are many issues that need to be addressed including access from public streets, site layout, building size, setbacks, drainage, parking, landscaping, utility connections, and lighting.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — New driveway cuts associated with caregiver dwelling Special Exception applications.
      “Any new driveway cuts must be approved by the Bossier Parish Engineer”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in a Special Flood Hazard Area in Bossier Parish.

    • A permit is required before building, altering, regrading, or filling.
    • The floodplain ordinance requires a development-permit application and supporting plans and elevations.
    • Fees vary by flood zone.
    “Any development in the SFHA requires a permit. This means you must obtain a permit before you build, alter, regrade, or fill on your property.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Benton-Parish MPC zoning-compliance and site-plan review fees.

    • The fee schedule states it was approved 12/7/2020 and effective 1/1/2021.
    • Commercial construction is charged $0.06 per square foot with an $80 minimum.
    • Residential new construction/additions/renovations are charged 15% of the permit fee with a $60 minimum.
    • Site plans reviewed three times or more incur a 50% additional fee.
    • A dual permit fee of $25 applies to property on Bossier City water in the unincorporated Benton MPC area.

    commercial construction fee: 0.06 USD per square foot (minimum $80.00) · residential review fee: 15 percent of permit fee (minimum $60.00) · dual permit fee: 25 USD (property on Bossier City water and located in unincorporated Benton MPC)

    “Residential (new construction, add/reno) – 15% of permit fee, min $60.00.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building-permit and site-plan applications in unincorporated Bossier Parish.

    • Plans must be complete and required Planning and Zoning approvals obtained where applicable.
    • Applications are reviewed by relevant departments; corrections may require resubmission.
    • Remaining fees are due before permit issuance.
    “You may apply for a building permit when the plans for your proposed project are complete and Planning and Zoning approvals, if required, are granted. To apply you must turn in an application package to the permitting authority.”

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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — An owner building the owner's primary residence in Bossier Parish.
      “Louisiana State Contractors’ licensing law allows an owner to build their primary residence without a license. You must live in this home. You cannot build a home to rent or sell without a license.”
  • 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”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Individual onsite sewerage systems, including septic systems, in Bossier Parish.

    • A permit from the Louisiana state health officer is required before installation, alteration, or operation.
    • A temporary permit may issue only after determining that connection to a community-type sewerage system is not feasible and that soil, drainage, lot size/dimensions, and related factors will not likely create a nuisance or public-health hazard.
    • A final permit requires verification of compliant installation by on-site inspection and/or a completed installer certification.
    • The installer must notify the appropriate local Parish Health Unit before installation, and the sanitarian may not issue final approval without the completed and signed installer certification.
    • For lots in a formal subdivision, the recorded plat/property survey must be filed with and approved by the Office of Public Health for individual sewerage systems.
    • Where a community-type sewerage system is unavailable, a septic tank system may be used only if the cited sanitary-code requirements are met.

    permit authority: state health officer · final installer certification submission deadline: 15 days after completion

    “operate an individual sewerage system of any kind without first having obtained a permit from the state health officer.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • State (with conditions) — On-site sewage treatment and disposal permitting and regulation applicable in Bossier Parish.
      “The state health officer and the office of public health of the Louisiana Department of Health shall have exclusive jurisdiction, control, and authority: [...] Over the treatment and disposal of municipal or domestic sewage.”
    • State — Statewide regulation of individual sewerage systems in Louisiana.
      “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 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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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.

  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land in unincorporated Bossier Parish.
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rental use in unincorporated Bossier Parish.

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 Bossier Parish, Louisiana

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

Bossier Parish scores 64/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and workable self-sufficiency basics: 53.3″/yr rainfall and 74.5% wooded land.

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

Bossier Parish generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health - Onsite Wastewater Program (via Bossier Parish Health Unit sanitarian). 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 Bossier Parish?

Living in an RV on your own land in Bossier Parish is limited to specific cases: One recreational vehicle used as a caregiver unit on the same tract as a primary residence in the unincorporated Benton-Parish MPC planning area. Only one RV may be permitted on the same tract as a primary residence. Approval is a Special Exception through the Benton-Parish MPC. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Bossier Parish, Louisiana?

Land in Bossier Parish runs about $3,746 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Bossier Parish?

Bossier Parish gets about 53.3" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 18.3% of years.

How remote is Bossier Parish?

A representative private-land location has about 67,191 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,404,667 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 Bossier compares in Louisiana

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