Thibodaux, Louisiana Building Permit Guide

All building, electrical, plumbing, gas and mechanical permits inside Thibodaux are applied for at the City’s Building and Inspection Permits office, 1219 Henry S. Thibodeaux Street (985-446-7208), in person or by email. Since April 1, 2025 the City has partnered with Lafourche Parish, which does plan review (currently 10–14 business days) and most inspections on certain projects. A $300,000 house pays a $650 building permit fee.

What needs a permit in Thibodaux?

A permit is needed to build, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building, and to install or change any electrical, gas or plumbing system. The City’s permit list leaves out a short set of jobs:

Who issues building permits in Thibodaux?

The City of Thibodaux issues its own permits through Building and Inspection Permits, part of the Public Works Department. Under the procedure in force since April 1, 2025, every application still goes through the City office, but Lafourche Parish does the plan review and inspections on certain types of projects; the office tells you at application who will review and inspect yours. On new construction the parish inspectors make most inspections, while City inspectors still do the electrical grounding, sewer tie-in and stormwater (MS4) inspections. Unincorporated land outside the city is permitted by Lafourche Parish’s Permits & Planning Department.

Electrical, plumbing, gas and mechanical permits in Thibodaux

All electrical, plumbing and mechanical work in the city must be done by a contractor registered with the City, and each subcontractor pulls its own permit. Registration goes through the Inspection Department, then the Tax & License Department issues the City licence:

• Electricians: a state licence (or the City’s own exam, held on the first Wednesday of January, April, July and October), a $2,000 bond and $20,000 of liability insurance.
• Plumbers: a state plumbing licence and a $5,000 bond.
• Mechanical contractors: a state mechanical or plumbing licence, a $5,000 bond and $100,000 of liability insurance.

Homeowners may do their own electrical, plumbing or mechanical work if they know the code; if the work shows they do not, the City requires a registered contractor.

Gas work has its own fee sheet and inspection line (985-446-7216). Rooftop solar needs an electrical permit with roof layout, wind load and attachment details stamped by a Louisiana engineer.

Thibodaux building permit fees

Building permit fees are based on construction value. The City’s Permit Fee Rates sheet, also printed in the April 2025 permit information packages:

A house valued at $300,000 pays $250 + (200 × $2) = $650. Signs run from $25 (up to 25 sq ft) to $100 plus $1.50 per sq ft over 100 sq ft, and zoning permits are $23 to $100 (for example $23 for a fence and $30 for a variance application). Fees are paid by check, money order or Visa/Mastercard before the permit is issued, and work started without a permit pays double.

Plans and documents for new construction

For a new building the City wants, before the permit is issued:

• Two complete sets of plans with foundation, roof and floor plans, elevations, and stair and landing details.
• Two plot plans with dimensions, setbacks, servitudes and driveways.
• Two plumbing layouts drawn in red, plus two electrical, two gas (if any) and two mechanical layouts, each separate from the main plans.
• Proof of a bulk disposal container on site, or of an account with a state-approved landfill.
• Proof of toilet facilities for workers.
• A stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP), required on all residential and commercial sites since January 2, 2017.

The plan checklist also calls for the basic wind speed, hurricane strap types and locations, shear walls, and how glazing will be protected. One reviewed set is returned and must stay on the job for inspections. Commercial projects use the City’s separate commercial permit packets.

How to get a Thibodaux permit: 6 steps

Thibodaux inspections

Inspections are booked through the City office at 985-446-7205 or 985-446-7208 at least 24 hours ahead (gas: 985-446-7216). Each contractor books its own inspections. When Lafourche Parish inspects, visits are available Monday to Thursday only, no specific times can be given, and Friday inspections are not offered at present. The City usually groups the open-wall stage (plumbing, gas, HVAC, electrical and framing) and the final stage together.

The City’s inspection notes add that requests made before 10:00 a.m. are normally handled the same day, but contractors must allow up to 48 hours.

Building work is inspected at the foundation, framing and completion stages; electrical and plumbing at foundation, rough-in and completion; gas and mechanical at rough-in and completion. No inspection is made unless the permit is posted on the site. A missed inspection costs $100 and requires a recorded hold harmless agreement. The certificate of occupancy and the certificate of zoning compliance are issued only after all inspections pass and all fees are paid; no one may move in before that.

On re-roofs, the installer must call for an inspection while the roof is being installed; if no inspection is called during the work, the inspection fails.

Local Thibodaux rules that matter

Floor height: every building’s floor grade must be at least 12 inches above the nearest downstream sewer manhole cover or the street surface.

Re-roofing: shingles must meet ASTM D3161, Miami-Dade specifications or an equivalent, with at least 6 nails per shingle, and any replaced decking must be at least 5/8-inch sheathing.

Sheds: the City’s shed packet covers sheds under 200 sq ft as well as larger ones; metal sheds over 200 sq ft need engineered foundation plans and engineered plans to the 2021 IRC, including wind load data for roll-up doors. Under R.S. 37:3738 (Act 881 of 2026), parishes, and cities with no more than 45,000 people at the last federal census, may not enforce the building code on a detached accessory structure of a home that is 200 sq ft or less, unless it stands in a hurricane-prone region with a design wind speed of 130 mph or more.

Key lock boxes: new or remodeled commercial, industrial, multi-family (with common corridors), school and government buildings with monitored alarms or sprinklers need a Knox Box key lock box, working before the occupancy permit, at the Fire Chief’s discretion.

Neighbors: construction equipment may not run in residential areas between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., and house numbers at least 4 inches tall must be posted where they can be seen from the street.

Louisiana building code

Every Louisiana parish and municipality enforces the state’s Uniform Construction Code (R.S. 37:3737), adopted by the Louisiana Uniform Construction Code Commission: the 2021 International Codes with Louisiana amendments, in force since 1 January 2023, and the 2020 National Electrical Code, with the 2024 codes taking effect on 1 January 2027. A local government may set more stringent requirements only with the Commission’s approval, and the State Fire Marshal reviews plans for fire and life safety on all but one- and two-family dwellings. How the LSUCC works

Official Thibodaux permit resources

• Louisiana Department of Health onsite wastewater program
• Louisiana State Fire Marshal review codes and rules
• Louisiana contractor licensing threshold statute, R.S. 37:2150.1
• Louisiana code editions and state amendments, May 20, 2026
• Thibodaux commercial permit information package, April 2025 (PDF)
• Thibodaux residential permit information package, April 2025 (PDF)
• Thibodaux Building and Inspection Permits page and forms
• Thibodaux permit procedure changes, effective April 1, 2025 (PDF)
• Thibodaux permit fee rates (PDF)
• Thibodaux electrical permit and inspection fee rates (PDF)
• Thibodaux residential storage shed permit packet (PDF)
• Thibodaux residential re-roofing permit packet (PDF)

Thibodaux permit FAQs

Who issues building permits in Thibodaux?

The City of Thibodaux Building and Inspection Permits office, 1219 Henry S. Thibodeaux Street, 985-446-7208. Since April 2025 Lafourche Parish reviews plans and makes most inspections on certain projects, but you still apply to the City.

How much is a building permit for a new house in Thibodaux?

It depends on value: $2.50 per $1,000 up to $100,000, then $250 plus $2 per $1,000 above $100,000. A $300,000 house pays $650, plus trade permits.

How long does plan review take?

When Lafourche Parish does the review, the City quotes a 10 to 14 business-day lead time.

Do I need a permit for a new roof?

Yes. Re-roofing uses the renovation permit form with a copy of the state contractor’s licence, and an inspection must be called while the roof is going on.

Can a homeowner do their own wiring or plumbing?

Yes, if they know the code requirements. Otherwise the City requires a City-registered electrician, plumber or mechanical contractor.

Can I get a Friday inspection?

Not at present. Inspections need 24 hours’ notice, and parish inspectors work Monday to Thursday.

Simplify Thibodaux permitting with Alliance Permitting

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Louisiana. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Thibodaux permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.