Bolthole Index

West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in St. Francisville, Louisiana

The Town of St. Francisville, Louisiana, in West Feliciana Parish, adopts its own zoning ordinance for land inside town limits1. A building permit is required for new construction inside town limits, and the mayor and board of aldermen must approve it before it issues2. Where public sewer is unavailable, the town inspector issues the septic permit, and the parish health director may add requirements3.

At a glance

Zoning
Yes, town zoning ordinance applies inside town limits1
Building permit
Required for new construction; board of aldermen approval needed24
Septic
Town inspector permit where public sewer is unavailable; parish health director may add requirements3
Sewer connection
Required when the property line is within 300 feet of public sewer5
Accessory dwelling
Permitted in RLL and RM-1; conditional use in RS-1 and RS-26
Owner-builder
Louisiana law lets an owner build a primary residence without a contractor license7

Who to call

Building permits

Town of St. Francisville Building Department

Building permits, zoning enforcement and permit applications inside town limits

(225) 635-3688

Septic permits

West Feliciana Parish Health Unit - Environmental Health

State onsite wastewater program contact for septic systems in West Feliciana Parish

225-635-2165

5154 Burnett Road, St. Francisville, LA 70775

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 23, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Town of St. Francisville means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Does St. Francisville, Louisiana have zoning?

Yes. Ordinance 2022-1 replaced the earlier zoning ordinance, and the Town of St. Francisville's zoning applies to all land inside town limits1. The base districts are RLL, RS-1, RS-2, RM-1, BMX, CTC, CH, LI, IS and PUD, plus a historic district overlay and a Highway 61 scenic corridor overlay8.

Lot rules depend on the district. RS-1 requires at least 12,000 square feet and 100 feet of width9, with a 30-foot front yard and a 25-foot rear yard10. RS-2 requires at least 7,500 square feet and 75 feet of width11, with a 20-foot front yard and 5-foot side yard12. The RLL large-lot district requires at least 3 acres11. Residential buildings in RLL, RS-1, RS-2 and RM-1 may not exceed 35 feet above base flood elevation13.

An accessory dwelling on a lot with an existing home is permitted in RLL and RM-1 and needs conditional use approval in RS-1 and RS-26. We could not confirm town rules on living in an RV, camping or tiny homes; ask the Town of St. Francisville building department before you plan on any of them.

Do you need a building permit in St. Francisville, and who issues it?

Yes. The Town of St. Francisville requires a building permit for new construction, substantially renovated construction and moved-in structures inside town limits2. The application must include a preliminary layout or plat showing buildings, streets, sewer lines, water mains and fire hydrants2.

The town's building official reviews the plans, then forwards the application to the mayor and board of aldermen, whose approval is required before the permit issues4. Plans must also fit with adjacent construction in size, materials, colors and architectural style2. The town's building department says a building permit is required for any remodeling or new construction14. Louisiana's State Uniform Construction Code applies statewide15.

A certificate of occupancy is also required, and it will not issue until water mains and fire hydrants are installed and inspected16. We could not find a published fee schedule; ask the building department. The parish's own permit office serves land outside town limits, not inside the town.

How do septic permits work inside St. Francisville?

Septic is the exception to simple sewer service. Inside town limits, a property whose line is within 300 feet of public sewer must connect to it5. Where public sewer is unavailable, the owner must get a written permit from the town inspector before building a private sewage system17. The parish health director may impose additional requirements3.

Septic tank absorption fields are not permitted on lots under 12,500 square feet18. The permit does not take effect until the town inspector is satisfied with the finished installation19. Louisiana also requires state approval for individual sewerage systems20; the local contact is the West Feliciana Parish Health Unit - Environmental Health21.

For soils, West Feliciana Parish has about 19% of soils rated not limited for a conventional drain field, so many lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system22.

Building a home in St. Francisville: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the zoning district for the lot and its setbacks with the Town of St. Francisville building department14.
  2. Check whether public sewer is within 300 feet of the property line5; if not, plan the septic permit with the town inspector and the parish health unit17.
  3. Prepare plans and a preliminary layout showing buildings, streets, sewer lines, water mains and fire hydrants2.
  4. Submit the building permit application; the mayor and board of aldermen must approve it4.
  5. If the lot is in a special flood hazard area, apply to the floodplain administrator for a floodplain development permit23.
  6. Finish water mains and fire hydrants, then obtain the certificate of occupancy16.

What stays with West Feliciana Parish, and what to check before you buy

Land outside St. Francisville town limits follows the parish rules, not the town's. See the West Feliciana Parish page for unincorporated land.

For property tax, West Feliciana Parish's effective rate is about 0.5%, with a median bill near $1,359 a year2425. Louisiana law lets an owner build a primary residence without a contractor license7. A driveway onto a state highway needs state approval26. We could not confirm town rules on private wells or driveways inside town limits; ask the building department.

Watch-outs

  • Short-term rentals inside St. Francisville need a town permit in the owner's name, limited to 4 bedrooms and 12 guests; which districts allow them was not determined, so ask the town before you buy for that use27.
  • The Highway 61 scenic corridor overlay requires larger setbacks than the base district, at minimum 50 feet front and 25 feet side and rear10.
  • We could not confirm town rules on RVs, tiny homes, permit fees or owner-built dwellings inside town limits; call the Town of St. Francisville at (225) 635-368814.

Sources

  1. St. Francisville Code of Ordinances, Appendix A - Zoning (Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance) (Town of St. Francisville), quoted and re-checked
  2. St. Francisville Code of Ordinances, Chapter 5 - Buildings; Construction and Related Matters (Town of St. Francisville), quoted and re-checked
  3. St. Francisville Code of Ordinances, Chapter 12 - Municipal Utilities and Services (Town of St. Francisville), quoted and re-checked
  4. St. Francisville Code of Ordinances, Chapter 5 - Buildings; Construction and Related Matters (Town of St. Francisville), quoted and re-checked
  5. St. Francisville Code of Ordinances, Chapter 12 - Municipal Utilities and Services (Town of St. Francisville), quoted and re-checked
  6. St. Francisville Code of Ordinances, Appendix A - Zoning (Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance) (Town of St. Francisville), quoted and re-checked
  7. Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors - FAQ (2026 county census)
  8. St. Francisville Code of Ordinances, Appendix A - Zoning (Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance) (Town of St. Francisville), quoted and re-checked
  9. St. Francisville Code of Ordinances, Appendix A - Zoning (Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance) (Town of St. Francisville), quoted and re-checked
  10. St. Francisville Code of Ordinances, Appendix A - Zoning (Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance) (Town of St. Francisville), quoted and re-checked
  11. St. Francisville Code of Ordinances, Appendix A - Zoning (Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance) (Town of St. Francisville), quoted and re-checked
  12. St. Francisville Code of Ordinances, Appendix A - Zoning (Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance) (Town of St. Francisville), quoted and re-checked
  13. St. Francisville Code of Ordinances, Appendix A - Zoning (Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance) (Town of St. Francisville), quoted and re-checked
  14. Town of St. Francisville Building Department (stfrancisville.net)
  15. Louisiana Revised Statutes § 40:1730.28 (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. St. Francisville Code of Ordinances, Chapter 5 - Buildings; Construction and Related Matters (Town of St. Francisville), quoted and re-checked
  17. St. Francisville Code of Ordinances, Chapter 12 - Municipal Utilities and Services (Town of St. Francisville), quoted and re-checked
  18. St. Francisville Code of Ordinances, Chapter 12 - Municipal Utilities and Services (Town of St. Francisville), quoted and re-checked
  19. St. Francisville Code of Ordinances, Chapter 12 - Municipal Utilities and Services (Town of St. Francisville), quoted and re-checked
  20. Louisiana Administrative Code Title 51, Part XIII, Public Health—Sanitary Code (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. West Feliciana Parish Health Unit - Environmental Health (ldh.la.gov)
  22. 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
  23. St. Francisville Code of Ordinances, Chapter 5 - Buildings; Construction and Related Matters (Town of St. Francisville), quoted and re-checked
  24. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  26. LaDOTD Access Connections Policy (Louisiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  27. St. Francisville Code of Ordinances, Appendix A - Zoning (Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance) (Town of St. Francisville), quoted and re-checked

Written October 23, 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Town of St. Francisville

Town of St. Francisville’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New construction, substantially renovated construction and moved-in structures inside St. Francisville town limits

    • Permit application must include a preliminary layout/plat showing buildings, streets, sewer lines, water mains and fire hydrants.
    • Building official forwards the application to the mayor and board of aldermen; their approval is required before the permit issues.
    • Plans must be in conformity with adjacent construction (size, materials, colors, architectural style).
    “no building permit shall be issued and no construction beyond site preparation shall be commenced until the owner of the property shall submit a preliminary layout or plat”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    New construction and development of land inside St. Francisville town limits

    • Occupancy permit will not issue until water mains and fire hydrants are installed per municipal specifications and inspected.
    • Single/two-family dwellings may be no more than 500 ft from a hydrant along street frontage; multi-family (3+ units) and commercial no more than 300 ft.

    max distance to hydrant, single/two-family: <= 500 ft

    “no occupancy permit (also called certificate of occupancy) shall be issued, and no structure shall be occupied, unless the requirements of subparagraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (d) hereinbelow have been satisfied.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    All land inside the corporate limits of St. Francisville town

    • Ord. No. 2022-1 (adopted Feb. 8, 2022) replaced the former zoning ordinance in its entirety; amendments continue through at least Ord. 2024-10.
    “these regulations shall apply to all the areas located within the corporate limits of the town of st. francisville.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    All land inside St. Francisville town limits

    • Also includes historic district overlay and Highway 61 scenic corridor overlay (Article 4); boundaries on the official zoning map.

    base districts: RLL, RS-1, RS-2, RM-1, BMX, CTC, CH, LI, IS, PUD

    “all land within the corporate limits of the town of st. francisville is hereby divided into the following base zoning districts: rll residential large lot rs-1 single-family residential rs-2 medium-density single-family residential”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    RS-2 medium-density single-family residential district, St. Francisville town (RLL large-lot district requires 3 acres)

    • Existing residential lots in the historic district: Table 3.7b allows 5,000 sq ft minimum for RS-2.
    • Column assignment read from table header order RLL, RS-1, RS-2, RM-1.

    minimum lot area RS-2: >= 7500 sq ft · minimum lot width RS-2: >= 75 ft · minimum lot area RLL: >= 3 acres

    “minimum lot area 1 3 acres 12,000 sq ft 7,500 sq ft”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    RS-1 single-family residential district, St. Francisville town

    • On through lots the minimum front yard applies on both streets.
    • Additional bufferyards may be required next to a different district.
    • Highway 61 scenic corridor overlay requires at minimum 50 ft front, 25 ft side, 25 ft rear (plus 5 ft per 150 ft of lot depth).

    front yard: >= 30 ft · interior side yard: >= 10 ft · total side yard: >= 20 ft · rear yard: >= 25 ft

    “front yard 6 30 ft 30 ft 20 ft 20 ft minimum interior side yard 10 ft 10 ft 5 ft 5 ft total side yard 20 ft 20 ft 10 ft 10 ft”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    RS-1 single-family residential district, St. Francisville town

    • Minimum permeable open space is also 25% of the lot area.

    maximum building coverage RS-1: <= 40 percent

    “maximum building coverage 30% 40% 60% 60% minimum permeable open space 25% of area”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building heightSpecified

    RLL, RS-1, RS-2 and RM-1 residential districts, St. Francisville town

    • Footnote: no building or structure may exceed 35 feet above the base flood elevation per current FEMA maps, unless outlined in Section 6.7.

    maximum building height: <= 35 ft (measured above base flood elevation per footnote 4)

    “no building or structure shall exceed thirty-five (35) feet above the base flood elevation as established in the current fema maps and guidelines, unless outlined in section 6.7 of this ordinance.”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Accessory dwelling units on lots with an existing single-family home in the residential districts inside St. Francisville town limits

    • Permitted (P) in RLL and RM-1; conditional use (C) in RS-1 and RS-2, requiring conditional use approval under Article 8.
    • Use standards in Sec. 5.3.C apply; permitted in the historic district overlay.
    “accessory dwelling unit p c c p section 5.3.c bed & breakfast p c p section 6.4”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Private sewage disposal inside St. Francisville town limits where public sewer is not available

    • Town inspector issues the permit; the parish health director may impose additional requirements.
    • Applies only where a public sewer is not available under Sec. 12-48 (property line more than 300 ft from sewer).
    “before commencement of construction of a private sewage disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the inspector.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Private sewage disposal systems inside St. Francisville town limits where public sewer is unavailable

    • Application on town form with plans/specifications; permit and inspection fees paid by applicant.
    • Permit not effective until installation is completed to inspector's satisfaction.
    • Parish health director requirements may also apply.
    “before commencement of construction of a private sewage disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the inspector.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Private sewage disposal systems inside St. Francisville town limits where public sewer is unavailable

    • Town inspector must be satisfied with the completed installation before the permit becomes effective.
    “a permit for a private sewage disposal system shall not become effective until the installation is completed to the satisfaction of the inspector.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Privies, septic tanks, cesspools and similar sewage disposal inside St. Francisville town limits

    • Allowed only as provided in Article, i.e., a permitted private sewage disposal system where public sewer is not available (more than 300 ft away).
    • Septic tank/absorption facilities not permitted where lot area is under 12,500 sq ft.
    • Must be abandoned and connected to public sewer once it becomes available.

    minimum lot area for septic absorption: >= 12500 sq ft

    “no permit shall be issued for any private sewage disposal system employing subsurface soil absorption facilities where the area of the lot is less than twelve thousand five hundred (12,500) square feet.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Buildings on property inside St. Francisville town limits

    • Duty applies when the property line is within 300 feet of a public sanitary or combined sewer.
    • Existing owners connect within one year of official acceptance of the system or extension; property under construction must connect within 90 days of completion of construction.
    • Each lot must also have a water main tie-in (Sec. 12-27); a mandatory water-connection distance rule was not located.

    distance to public sewer triggering connection: <= 300 ft

    “which property line is located within three hundred (300) feet of a public sanitary or combined sewer of the municipality, shall, at the owners expense, install suitable plumbing facilities.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land inside St. Francisville town limits

    • Details of Chapter 17 not opened.
    “cross reference— planning and zoning commission, § 15-1 et seq.; subdivision regulations, ch. 17.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in areas of special flood hazard inside St. Francisville town limits

    • Application to the floodplain administrator with scaled plans showing location, dimensions and elevation of structures, including placement of manufactured homes.
    • Article amended by Ord. 2024-3 (5-14-24).
    “a floodplain development permit shall be required to ensure conformance with the provisions of this article.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term rentals inside St. Francisville town limits

    • Permit must be in the name of the property owner; one permit per person; not assignable or transferable.
    • No commercial or social events; no multiple rentals during the same rental period.
    • Smoke and CO detectors in each room; local contact available 24 hours, responding within 30 minutes.
    • Owner pays sales and occupancy taxes; permit displayed on premises; 2 parking spaces per unit.
    • Which districts allow STRs was not determined (an April 2026 rezoning item suggests STRs may require CTC zoning).

    maximum bedrooms: <= 4 bedrooms · maximum guests: <= 12 persons

    “the maximum number of bedrooms used for a short term rental use in the short term rental dwelling unit shall be no greater than four (4), and the total number of guest staying in the short term rental dwelling unit at any one time shall be no greater than twelve (12) persons.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building permits inside St. Francisville town limits

    • Building official reviews plans and adjoining properties, then forwards to the mayor and board of aldermen whose approval is mandatory before issuance.
    “only when the building official has determined that the building plans are in conformance with the building code requirements and the proposed construction will be in conformity to the adjacent properties shall the building official forward the building permit application to the mayor and board of aldermen for review and action.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of St. Francisville or West Feliciana Parish directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built dwellings inside St. Francisville town limits
  • Inspections — Construction inside St. Francisville town limits
  • Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside St. Francisville town limits
  • Living in an RV — RV occupancy inside St. Francisville town limits
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping inside St. Francisville town limits
5 more unanswered
  • Tiny homes
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Permit fees

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Town of St. Francisville publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. West Feliciana Parish’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of West Feliciana Parish: county rules, score and offices