Before any development begins, a building permit must be obtained. The process for a building permit for construction of a new home is:

• First the 911 Coordinator for Ouachita Parish must be contacted to get an address 387-2593
• Then the sewer company that will provide service to the new home must be contacted. If a private sewer system needs to be installed, the West Monroe Health Unit must be contacted at 362-5539 for a temporary sewer permit. A sanitarian will make a site visit to the property to make a determination as to what type of system is best suited for the property. If there is an existing private sewer system, then a sanitarian will make a site visit to verify that there is adequate sewer for the new house. There is no charge for the sanitarian's inspection.
• Once an address has been established and a temporary sewer permit or sewer letter is obtained, a building permit can be issued. The legal description of the property and the sewer permit or letter must be submitted to the building permit office.
• If the property is determined to be in a Special Flood Hazard Area, an elevation certificate will need to be submitted. The base flood elevation will be established by the permit officer. A surveyor must be contacted before construction begins. The surveyor will shoot the elevation of the ground to determine what height the house and any machinery such as the air conditioner must be at and provide the applicant with a preliminary elevation certificate. This needs to be submitted to the building permit office. The only structures that can be built below the base flood elevation are structures that are used for parking, building access, and storage. These enclosures must have two (2) flood vents with the total area being one (1) square inch per square foot of the total square footage of the structure.
• If a state-licensed building contractor is not used, a self-contracting affidavit must be signed which explains what the applicant's responsibilities are as a building contractor.
• The estimated value of the structure needs to be submitted so the U. S. Census Department can determine the economic growth of our parish.
• A temporary building permit can be issued at this time. The building permit will be faxed to ENTERGY. The applicant must contact ENTERGY at 1-800-368-3749 to request the electricity be connected.