Bolthole Index

Caddo Parish, Louisiana

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Caddo Parish, Louisiana

57Index Score / 100
#48 of 64 in Louisiana

Unincorporated Caddo Parish, Louisiana requires building permits for most construction and remodeling, administered by Shreveport's Division of Permits and Inspections12. Projects inside Greenwood and Oil City use those towns' building-permit processes instead1. Parish zoning applies within the unincorporated planning limits, through the Caddo Parish Planning and Zoning Commission3. Septic permits come from Louisiana Department of Health sanitarians through the Caddo Parish Health Unit45.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for most construction and remodeling; Greenwood and Oil City administer their own building-permit processes1
Parish development permit
Required to build in the parish; elevation certificate required in a flood hazard area6
Zoning
Caddo Parish Unified Development Code applies inside the parish planning area; confirm coverage for land farther out378
Septic
Louisiana Department of Health permit through the Caddo Parish Health Unit495
RV living
Not allowed in any zoning district within the parish planning area103
Second home on a small lot
Lots under five acres must be subdivided to add another residence11
Owner-builder
Homeowner may apply; licensed contractors must do electrical, plumbing and HVAC work12
Property tax
About 0.6% effective rate; median bill about $1,081 a year1314

Who to call

Building permits

City of Shreveport Division of Permits & Inspections

Building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits, plan review and inspections for Shreveport and unincorporated Caddo Parish

318-673-6100

505 Travis St. Government Plaza, Suite 130, Shreveport, LA 71101

Online permits →

Building permits

Parish of Caddo Public Works, parish building permit policy (letter to Shreveport, 2021)

Sets which work needs a parish building permit and routes every parish permit to the parish for 911 address and floodplain checks

318.226.6931

Building permits

Caddo Parish Public Works, Engineering Division

Development permits, subdivision plat review, parish roads and drainage; residential inspections are contracted to Shreveport

318-226-6931

Roads & driveways

Caddo Parish Public Works, Permits Department

911 addresses, culvert permits, right-of-way and road-crossing permits, subdivision development permits

318-226-6949

Floodplain permits

Caddo Parish Public Works, Flood Control

Parish development permits, flood damage prevention ordinance, flood-zone determinations and elevation certificates

(318) 226-6934

505 Travis Street, Suite 820, Shreveport, Louisiana

Planning & zoning

Caddo Parish Public Works FAQ: adding a residence on under five acres

Whether a second house on a small tract requires subdividing

Zoning

Shreveport-Caddo Metropolitan Planning Commission (staff to the Caddo Parish Planning and Zoning Commission)

Zoning, rezoning, special exceptions and site plans for unincorporated Caddo Parish inside the planning area

318.673.6480

505 Travis St Suite 440, Shreveport, LA 71101

Zoning

Caddo Parish Unified Development Code (published by the Metropolitan Planning Commission)

Zoning districts, RV rules, accessory dwelling units and manufactured home standards inside the parish planning area

Septic permits

Caddo Parish Health Unit (Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health)

Local office for state onsite sewage (septic) permits in Caddo Parish

(318) 676-5222

1035 Creswell Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71101

Septic permits

Louisiana Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater Program

Statewide onsite wastewater rules, installer licensing, and the parish sanitarians who issue permits

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Caddo 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 Caddo Parish, LA?

Unincorporated Caddo Parish, Louisiana requires a building permit for most construction and remodeling, including most electrical, plumbing and HVAC work; painting, flooring and listed code exemptions may not require one1. Projects inside Greenwood and Oil City must go directly to those towns for building permits1. The City of Shreveport's Division of Permits and Inspections issues parish building and trade permits2.

Permitted work may need one or several inspections, depending on the project and applicable code15. Outside city limits, each inspection on a building permit carries a $68.25 fee16. Caddo Parish Public Works also requires a development permit to build in the parish, and a structure built or moved onto land needs one when it is larger than 20 feet by 30 feet617. Building in a flood hazard area requires an elevation certificate6.

A homeowner may apply for a residential building permit, but registered and licensed contractors must perform all electrical, plumbing and HVAC work12. Residential work valued over $7,500 also requires a Louisiana Homeowner’s Exemption from Licensure12.

Caddo Parish construction under the Shreveport permit arrangement must meet the 2021 International Residential and Building Codes, the 2020 National Electrical Code, Louisiana amendments and local regulations18.

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

The City of Shreveport Division of Permits and Inspections handles building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits for Caddo Parish2. The division is at 505 Travis St. Government Plaza, Suite 130, Shreveport, LA 71101, phone 318-673-61002. Apply, pay and request inspections through My Government Online2. Inside Shreveport, the city approves building plans and administers its own building permits; onsite sewage permitting remains with the Louisiana Department of Health through the Caddo Parish Health Unit1920. Permit applications generally need a site plan, construction plans, a statement of work and, when a contractor applies, a copy of the contract; approval waits until requested documents are attached21. Permits issue after the plans and specifications are reviewed and approved and payment is made21.

Permit fees vary with project scale, and starting work without a permit doubles the permit fee and can bring other penalties22. Caddo Parish Public Works' Permits Department at 318-226-6949 handles 911 addresses, culvert permits and right-of-way permits through online-only submissions23. Flood-zone questions go to Public Works at (318) 226-69346.

Commercial premises outside Shreveport city limits need a certificate of occupancy before use, even without construction; the permit guide excludes home businesses outside city limits from that requirement24.

Does Caddo Parish have zoning?

Yes, in part. The Caddo Parish Unified Development Code applies to land within the Caddo Parish Planning and Zoning Commission's planning area, and the Metropolitan Planning Commission keeps the official planning-area boundary38. Parish Public Works describes the MPC area as five miles outside Shreveport's city limits6. The Caddo Parish Planning and Zoning Commission, created by ordinance in 2022, hears planning and zoning matters in that area and makes recommendations to the Caddo Parish Commission7. Inside Shreveport, the city has its own zoning code; septic permitting stays with the Louisiana Department of Health through the Caddo Parish Health Unit2520.

For land beyond the planning area, we could not confirm what zoning applies; ask the Metropolitan Planning Commission (318.673.6480) whether your parcel is inside the planning limits before you buy7.

Inside the planning area, setbacks depend on the district: the front setback is 30 feet in R-A and R-E and 20 feet in R-1-12, R-1-10 and R-1-726. Within the parish planning area, zoning also decides where manufactured homes go: they may only be placed in districts the Use Matrix allows, and a district marked "E" needs a special exception approved by the Caddo Parish Planning and Zoning Commission8. Adding a second house is also regulated parishwide: a tract under five acres must be subdivided first, so call the Caddo permits department to see whether you have enough land11.

How do septic permits work in Caddo Parish?

Septic systems in Caddo Parish need a Louisiana Department of Health permit: no one may install, alter or operate an individual sewerage system without a permit from the state health officer427. Sanitarians in each parish health unit run that permit system; in Caddo Parish, that is the Caddo Parish Health Unit at 1035 Creswell Avenue, Shreveport, (318) 676-5222285.

Louisiana allows a septic system only where community sewer is not available, and the state must decide that a sewer connection is not feasible before issuing a permit299. A mechanical treatment plant is allowed only when a conventional system would not work30. That matters here: only 13.6% of Caddo Parish's soils avoid NRCS's "very limited" rating for a conventional drain field, so expect a careful site review and possibly an individual mechanical treatment plant3130. Final approval comes after an inspection or the licensed installer's certification, which is due within 15 days of completion32. Caddo Parish also requires health-unit approval for soil absorption and spray irrigation systems4.

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

Not in an RV, inside the planning area: the Caddo Parish Unified Development Code says no recreational vehicle may be used for living, sleeping or housekeeping in any district, or be hooked up to public utilities103. For land outside the planning area, we could not confirm the rule, so ask the Metropolitan Planning Commission and Caddo Parish Public Works before buying land to live on in an RV717.

A tiny home built as a real dwelling needs the same permits as any house, including the Shreveport building permit and the parish development permit26. Within the parish planning area, the UDC allows no more than one accessory dwelling unit per lot; a detached ADU can be a prefabricated or shipping-container structure if it meets the International Residential Code, and it cannot exceed 60% of the main house's floor area or 1,800 square feet, whichever is less8. On a tract under five acres, a second residence also means subdividing11.

Within the parish planning area, a manufactured home placed outside a park must sit on a concrete slab or runway and meet the code's design standards8.

Building a home in Caddo Parish: what are the steps, in order?

  1. Ask the Metropolitan Planning Commission whether the parcel is inside the planning area and what its zoning is78.
  2. Check the flood zone with Caddo Parish Public Works at (318) 226-6934; get an elevation certificate if the site is in a flood hazard area6.
  3. Get a 911 address and any culvert or right-of-way permit for the driveway from the Public Works Permits Department, online only; the building-permit guide also lists driveways among projects that need a permit with a site plan2333.
  4. Without community sewer, apply for a septic permit at the Caddo Parish Health Unit59.
  5. Submit the site plan, construction plans, statement of work and any required contract copy with the building-permit application through My Government Online212.
  6. Pay the variable permit fee after the plans and specifications are approved; do not begin early, because the fee doubles when work starts without a permit2122.
  7. Schedule every required inspection through the same system152.
  8. Ask the Division of Permits and Inspections what occupancy approval your home requires; the published commercial certificate requirement does not establish the residential rule224.

What should you check before you buy land in Caddo Parish, Louisiana?

Flooding: Caddo Parish Public Works says flooding can occur anywhere in the parish, and it will check whether a parcel outside the MPC area is in a flood zone6. Because the parish is in the National Flood Insurance Program, unincorporated residents can buy rate-restricted flood insurance6. Development in a regulatory floodway needs a no-rise certification before a permit can issue34.

Soils and sewer: with only 13.6% of soils avoiding the NRCS “very limited” rating for conventional drain fields, ask the Caddo Parish Health Unit about the lot before you close315.

Zoning and lot size: confirm whether the land is in the planning area, and remember that a second house on under five acres requires subdividing711.

Costs and climate: farmland averages about $4,525 an acre and typical homes about $153,0003536. Property taxes are low, about 0.6% effective, a median of $1,081 a year1314. Caddo Parish gets about 52 inches of rain a year yet was in severe drought in 17.7% of years, and mid-century projections show about 28 days a year at or above 100°F373839. The parish is about 65% wooded and nearly flat, with 99.2% of land at 15% slope or less4041.

Watch-outs

  • Caddo Parish permits run through two governments: Shreveport issues and inspects the building permit, while the parish reviews every permit for its 911 address and floodplain status422.
  • A parish development permit is required to build in Caddo Parish, including for structures larger than 20 by 30 feet that are moved onto a lot617.
  • Living in an RV is prohibited in every zoning district inside the Caddo Parish planning area, and an RV there may not be hooked up to public utilities103.
  • Putting a second house on a Caddo Parish tract under five acres requires subdividing first11.
  • A homeowner may pull a residential building permit, but licensed contractors must perform the electrical, plumbing and HVAC work, and work over $7,500 requires a Louisiana Homeowner’s Exemption from Licensure12.

Sources

  1. Your Guide to Permits & Inspections MPC, quoted and re-checked
  2. City of Shreveport Division of Permits & Inspections (shreveportla.gov)
  3. Parish Planning & Zoning Commission, quoted and re-checked
  4. Onsite Wastewater Program, quoted and re-checked
  5. Caddo Parish Health Unit (Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Public Health) (ldh.la.gov)
  6. Caddo Parish Public Works, Flood Control (caddo.gov)
  7. Shreveport-Caddo Metropolitan Planning Commission (staff to the Caddo Parish Planning and Zoning Commission) (shreveportcaddompc.com)
  8. Caddo Parish Unified Development Code (published by the Metropolitan Planning Commission) (shreveportcaddompc.com)
  9. Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51, Part XIII, Public Health—Sanitary Code (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Unified Development Code, Article 8, Section 8.10, Storage of Recreational Vehicles, quoted and re-checked
  11. Caddo Parish Public Works FAQ: adding a residence on under five acres (caddo.gov)
  12. Your Guide to Permits & Inspections MPC, quoted and re-checked
  13. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  14. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  15. Permits & Inspections, quoted and re-checked
  16. Your Guide to Permits & Inspections MPC, quoted and re-checked
  17. Caddo Parish Public Works, Engineering Division (caddo.gov)
  18. Building Codes, quoted and re-checked
  19. Shreveport: Permits & Inspections | Shreveport, LA - Official Website (Caddo Parish), quoted and re-checked
  20. Shreveport: Onsite Wastewater Program (Caddo Parish), quoted and re-checked
  21. Your Guide to Permits & Inspections MPC, quoted and re-checked
  22. Building Permits FAQ, quoted and re-checked
  23. Caddo Parish Public Works, Permits Department (caddo.gov)
  24. Your Guide to Permits & Inspections MPC 2026, quoted and re-checked
  25. Shreveport: Zoning Information | Shreveport, LA - Official Website (Caddo Parish), quoted and re-checked
  26. Caddo Parish Unified Development Code, Article 4: Zoning District Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  27. Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51, Part XIII, Public Health—Sanitary Code (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  28. Louisiana Department of Health, Onsite Wastewater Program (ldh.la.gov)
  29. Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51, Part XIII, Public Health—Sanitary Code (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  30. Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51, Part XIII, Public Health—Sanitary Code (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  31. 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
  32. Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51, Part XIII, Public Health—Sanitary Code (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  33. Permits & Inspections, quoted and re-checked
  34. State of Louisiana No Rise Certification Guidance (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  35. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data
  36. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  37. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  38. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  39. Projected mid-century days at or above 100°F: Bolthole Index county data
  40. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  41. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  42. Parish of Caddo Public Works, parish building permit policy (letter to Shreveport, 2021) (shreveportla.gov)

Written October 11, 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, Caddo Parish requires a building permit for a home.

RuleCaddo ParishBossier ParishWebster ParishDe Soto ParishBienville ParishRed River ParishClaiborne Parish
Building permitRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequired
County zoningYesYesNoNot publishedNot publishedNot publishedNo
Septic permitsLA Dept. of HealthLA Dept. of HealthLDHLA Dept. of HealthLA Dept. of HealthLA Dept. of HealthLA Dept. of Health

County locator

Caddo Parish in Louisiana

57
County map
Caddo Parish highlighted among the Louisiana counties · colored by Index score

How Caddo Parish scores

Seclusion33100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency69100% ev.
Admin Boringness4290% ev.
Durability60100% ev.
Property Autonomy44100% ev.
Carry Cost87100% ev.

Evidence strength: 98%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$153kTypical home
0.6%Property tax
$4,525Land / acre
52.2"Annual rain
17.7% of yrsSevere drought
27.9 / yr (+21.5)Mid-century 100°F days
19.9 daysMid-century dry spell
2.39" (+4.8%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.4×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,838Home insurance / yr
3.2% / yrInsurance growth
0.81%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
357,011People within 30 min
1,919,639People within 2 hr
138,089Radius comparison (15 mi)
257.4People / sq mi
0.3%Federal land
99.2%Land at 15% slope or less
13.6%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
64,744 acWorkable land screen
65.2%Wooded land
41.4 tonsBiomass / forest ac
65.6°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Caddo 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.

Not yet researched: Village of Belcher · Town of Blanchard · Village of Gilliam · Town of Greenwood · Village of Hosston · Village of Ida · Town of Mooringsport · Town of Oil City · Village of Rodessa · Town of Vivian

Answers from the rulebook for Caddo Parish

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

Caddo Parish rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction in Caddo Parish outside the incorporated limits of Greenwood and Oil City.

    • The source states this requirement was in place as of 05/17/2021.
    • Projects within the city limits of Greenwood and Oil City are excluded and must be handled by those towns.
    • The guide states that most construction and remodeling projects require a permit, while specified work is exempt.
    “A permit is required for most construction and remodeling projects.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Construction in Caddo Parish outside the incorporated limits of Greenwood and Oil City.
      “As of 05/17/2021 Caddo Parish has required that all construction in Caddo Parish is to be permitted using the same criteria as if the location is within the limits of the City of Shreveport. This does not include projects located within the city limits of the Town of Greenwood & Oil City. Contact them directly for permitting.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    A homeowner applying for a building permit in Caddo Parish.

    • An owner may apply for a building permit.
    • All electrical, plumbing, and HVAC work must be performed by registered and licensed contractors.
    • Residential work valued over $7,500 requires a Homeowner's Exemption from Licensure under Louisiana law.
    • Commercial projects over $50,000 require a licensed contractor.

    residential work threshold: > 7500 USD (Homeowner's Exemption from Licensure required) · commercial project threshold: > 50000 USD (licensed contractor required)

    “As an owner you may also apply for your building permit.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — A homeowner applying for a residential building permit in Caddo Parish.
      “Please note that if you the homeowner pull the permit that all residential work valued over $7,500.00 requires a Homeowner’s Exemption from Licensure as required by the State of Louisiana.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction in Caddo Parish, excluding projects within the incorporated limits of Greenwood and Oil City for the cited Shreveport permit-administration arrangement.

    • Construction must conform to the listed 2021 International and 2020 National Electric Code editions, Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code amendments, and local ordinances and regulations.
    • As of 05/17/2021, Caddo Parish required all construction to be permitted using the same criteria as within Shreveport city limits.
    • The permit arrangement does not include projects within the Town of Greenwood and Oil City limits.
    • Permit applications and plans must be submitted for review; the official guide states that most construction and remodeling projects require a permit, with listed exemptions.

    adopted International Building Code edition: 2021 edition · adopted International Residential Code edition: 2021 edition · adopted National Electric Code edition: 2020 edition · Caddo Parish permitting requirement date: 2021-05-17 (The guide states 'As of 05/17/2021'.)

    “As of 05/17/2021 Caddo Parish has required that all construction in Caddo Parish is to be permitted using the same criteria as if the location is within the limits of the City of Shreveport. This does not include projects located within the city limits of the Town of Greenwood & Oil City. Contact them directly for permitting.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Building-permit work administered through the Caddo Parish permitting process.

    • Inspections are scheduled through the permitting system.
    • Inspection requirements and fees vary by project and location.

    inspection fee outside city limits: 68.25 USD (per inspection)

    “There shall be a fee in the amount of $68.25 per inspection for inspections performed for all building permits issued outside the city limits.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Permitted construction and remodeling in Caddo Parish.
      “Depending on the work you are doing, the inspection process could require one inspection or multiple inspections.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Commercial businesses occupying property in Caddo Parish outside Shreveport city limits, and businesses within the Parish generally before obtaining an occupational/business license.

    • A certificate is required before occupancy for commercial businesses outside city limits, whether or not construction occurred and whether or not the location is move-in ready.
    • There is no Certificate of Occupancy for home businesses outside city limits according to the guide.
    • The separate business-guidelines page states all businesses in the City of Shreveport or Parish of Caddo must obtain one before applying for an occupational/business license.
    • Fees stated by the business-guidelines page are $75 for home-based and $125 for commercial locations; outside Shreveport city limits there is no fee.

    home-based business fee: 75 USD · commercial location fee: 125 USD

    “must obtain a Certificate of Occupancy prior to applying for an occupational/business license.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Businesses and occupied buildings or structures in Caddo Parish, including home-based businesses.
      “It shall be unlawful to occupy any building or structure unless a full, or temporary certificate of occupancy has been issued by the Zoning Administrator.”
    • Required — Commercial occupancy outside Shreveport city limits in Caddo Parish.
      “A Certificate of Occupancy is required prior to occupancy, regardless of whether construction was performed or the location is move-in ready. At this time there is no Certificate of Occupancy for Home Businesses outside of city limits.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Caddo Parish unincorporated areas within the Planning Limits under the Caddo Parish Unified Development Code.

    • The official page states that the Commission covers unincorporated areas within the Planning Limits.
    • Incorporated municipalities may administer separate zoning rules.
    “The Commission consists of six(6) residents of the unincorporated areas Caddo Parish, but still within the Planning Limits that fall under the jurisdiction of the Caddo Parish Unified Development Code.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Residential zoning districts and manufactured-home park districts governed by the Caddo Parish UDC.

    • Residential setback standards vary by zoning district and use type.
    • For R-A, R-E, R-1-12, R-1-10, and R-1-7 districts, the table lists front setbacks of 30, 30, 20, 20, and 20 feet; interior side setbacks of 15, 15, 10, 10, and 5 feet; corner-side setbacks of 30, 30, 15, 15, and 15 feet; reverse-corner setbacks of 30, 30, 15, 15, and 15 feet for SF-D, SF-A, and 2F only; and rear setbacks of 20, 20, 15, 15, and 15 feet.
    • For R-1-5 and R-TH, front setbacks are 20 feet and rear setbacks are 15 feet; side and corner-side standards differ by use type as stated in the table.
    • In the R-MHP district, manufactured-home park setbacks are 50 feet on all sides; individual manufactured-home-site setbacks are 20 feet from a dedicated internal street, 10 feet from a private access drive, 10 feet interior side, 10 feet corner side, and 10 feet rear.
    • All manufactured-home parks require site plan review.
    • Additional overlay and specific-use standards may apply.

    R-A minimum front setback: 30 feet · R-E minimum front setback: 30 feet · R-1-12 minimum front setback: 20 feet · R-1-10 minimum front setback: 20 feet · R-1-7 minimum front setback: 20 feet · R-MHP manufactured-home park front setback: 50 feet · R-MHP manufactured-home-site setback from dedicated internal street: 20 feet · R-MHP manufactured-home-site setback from private access drive: 10 feet

    “Minimum Front Setback 30’ 30’ 20’ 20’ 20’”
  • Living in an RVProhibited

    Use of recreational vehicles for living, sleeping, or housekeeping purposes in Caddo Parish zoning districts.

    • The rule applies in any district.
    • Recreational vehicles may be stored only under the storage-location, screening, and setback rules in Section 8.10.B.
    • No recreational vehicle may be hooked up to public utilities.
    • Temporary storage tents for recreational vehicles are prohibited.
    • Floodplain rules may impose additional placement, elevation, anchoring, licensing, or duration requirements.

    front or corner side yard storage duration: <= 3 days (No recreational vehicle or trailer may be stored there for more than three days.) · interior side or rear yard setback: >= 5 feet (Applies when stored outside an enclosed structure.)

    “No recreational vehicle may be used for living, sleeping, or housekeeping purposes in any district and may not be hooked up to any public utilities.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Driveway construction requiring permitting in Caddo Parish under the parish permitting criteria.

    • The official page lists driveways among projects requiring permits and states that a site plan is required.
    • Greenwood and Oil City municipal limits are excluded from the parish-wide criteria and require direct contact with those towns.
    “Permits are required for the following projects: Commercial tents: site plan required Driveway: site plan required Residential / commercial accessory structures: site plan required”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Building permits administered for Caddo Parish construction.

    • Fees are established by city ordinance and vary based on project scale.
    • If work begins without a permit, the permit fee will be doubled and other penalties may be imposed.
    • A downtown development district fee waiver described in the source applies to qualifying Shreveport buildings and does not exempt permits, approvals, plan reviews, or inspections.
    “Permit fees are established by City ordinance and vary based on the scale of the project. If work begins without a permit, the permit fee will be doubled and other penalties may be imposed.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building permit applications in Caddo Parish, except Greenwood and Oil City municipal limits.

    • Applications may be submitted online through MGO.
    • Required documents generally include a site plan, construction plans, statement of work, and contract copy when submitted by a contractor.
    • Applications are not approved until requested documents are attached.
    • Permits issue after plans and specifications are reviewed, approved, and payment is made.
    “Permits are issued as soon as all plans and specifications have been reviewed, approved, and payment is made.”

Louisiana rules that apply here

  • 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”
  • 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

    Statewide regulation of individual sewerage systems in Louisiana.

    • The Louisiana sanitary code assigns permitting and approval decisions to the state health officer.
    • The rule is promulgated under R.S. 40:4(A)(6) and R.S. 40:5(9)(20).
    “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
    • State (with conditions) — State approval of sewerage permit ordinances or similar regulations authorizing individual sewage treatment and disposal systems in Louisiana, including Caddo Parish.
      “No parish, municipality, or planning commission shall enact a sewerage permit ordinance or similar regulation authorizing the installation of individual sewage treatment and disposal systems without written approval by the office of public health of the Louisiana Department of Health.”
  • 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 — Onsite sewage treatment systems in Caddo Parish, particularly where community-type sewer systems are unavailable.
      “Sanitarians located in the health units of each parish serve to inform, advise, and operate a permitting system with regard to onsite sewage treatment.”
  • 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.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision regulation under Louisiana's statutory framework, administered through parish and municipal planning commissions.

    • A parish planning commission must adopt subdivision regulations before exercising its statutory powers; parish regulations apply to subdivision of land in unincorporated territory for purposes other than agricultural.
    • A municipal planning commission must adopt regulations before exercising its statutory powers, and municipal regulations apply within the municipality.
    • A planning commission generally must approve or disapprove a plat within 60 days, unless the applicant waives the requirement and consents to an extension.
    • The statutory framework allows local regulations concerning street arrangement, lot dimensions, utilities, drainage-related utility and sewerage requirements, improvements, and bonds or surety.
    • R.S. 33:106.1 limits planning-commission jurisdiction over specified qualifying subdivisions, while preserving requirements for utilities, drainage including sewerage disposal, and street planning dimensions, composition, and alignment.

    plat decision period: 60 days (Applicant may waive the requirement and consent to an extension.) · hearing notice: >= 5 days (Notice by certified mail and publication requirements apply; certain public-hearing waivers may be authorized by official subdivision regulations.)

    “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. Before exercising the powers referred to in R.S. 33:110 a municipal planning commission shall adopt regulations governing the subdivision of land within its jurisdiction.”
  • 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.”
  • 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.

  • Local zoning — Aggregate local zoning across Caddo Parish, including incorporated municipalities and unincorporated areas.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land in unincorporated Caddo Parish.
  • Tiny homes — Occupancy of a tiny home as a dwelling in unincorporated Caddo Parish.
  • Manufactured homes — Manufactured-home occupancy on private land in unincorporated Caddo Parish.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory-dwelling occupancy in unincorporated Caddo Parish.
1 more unanswered
  • 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 Caddo Parish, Louisiana

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

Caddo Parish scores 57/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and workable self-sufficiency basics: 52.2″/yr rainfall and 65.2% wooded land. Watch-outs: about 357,011 people within a 30-minute drive.

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

Caddo 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 / Sanitarian Services), Caddo Parish office. 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 Caddo Parish?

Living in an RV on your own land in Caddo Parish is prohibited: Use of recreational vehicles for living, sleeping, or housekeeping purposes in Caddo Parish zoning districts. The rule applies in any district. Recreational vehicles may be stored only under the storage-location, screening, and setback rules in Section 8.10.B. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Caddo Parish, Louisiana?

Land in Caddo Parish runs about $4,525 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Caddo Parish?

Caddo Parish gets about 52.2" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 17.7% of years.

How remote is Caddo Parish?

A representative private-land location has about 357,011 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,919,639 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 Caddo compares in Louisiana

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