Louisiana law requires notice to Louisiana 811 at least 48 hours before digging and no more than 120 hours ahead, not counting weekends and holidays. In New Orleans, demolition, historic districts and work at the street carry their own approvals. This is general information about Louisiana rules, not legal advice.
Do I need a permit to dig on my own property in New Orleans?
Many small digs on your own lot need no permit, but Louisiana 811 must still be notified first. Demolition, pools, sewer and water connections, new driveway aprons and curb cuts, and work in a historic district need approvals. When a dig permit has a fee, HomeGuide's range is $50 to $400. Before we dig, we look up the rules that cover your street.
Do I need a grading permit to add fill or regrade my yard?
Regrading your own yard often needs no grading permit, but fill and elevation rules vary by city and parish, and new fill must not send water onto a neighbor. Grading permits, where a city or parish charges for one, run $50 to $400 on HomeGuide's figures. We find out which rule covers your lot.
Does grading need an erosion control or stormwater permit?
Under LDEQ rules, a project that disturbs 1 to 5 acres needs a written stormwater pollution prevention plan before construction and a posted notice near the entrance, with no fee. Five acres or more needs a notice of intent and annual fees. Sites under 1 acre are not regulated by LDEQ, but mud still has to stay out of the storm drains.
Do I need a permit for tree removal, land clearing or near wetlands?
Tree rules depend on the city or parish and on where the tree stands, and trees on public property are controlled by the local government, so we check before cutting anything large. Much of the land around New Orleans is wetland or marsh, and clearing or filling wetlands can need federal approval. Work near levees and canals may need the levee district or parish.
Who pulls the permits, the contractor or the owner?
It depends on the permit. Licensed plumbers and electricians pull their own permits, and the owner or builder usually pulls building and demolition permits. Get it in writing who pulls each permit, and never agree to skip one.
Do I need to call 811 before a small dig?
Yes. Call 811 or submit a request online before any digging, even a small one. Louisiana 811 notifies the utility operators, who mark their lines. Private lines on your side of the meter are not marked by the utilities, so tell your contractor what you know is buried.
How much notice does Louisiana 811 need, and how long do the marks stay valid?
Louisiana 811 needs at least 48 hours of notice and no more than 120 hours, weekends and holidays excluded, under Louisiana Revised Statutes 40:1749.13, and the digging waits for the marking period to pass. How long a ticket stays valid is set by state law and has been amended in recent years, so check the expiration on your own ticket. If marks are destroyed or moved, notify Louisiana 811 again before you keep digging.
Who is responsible if an excavator hits a utility line?
Responsibility for a damaged line depends on whether Louisiana 811 was notified on time, whether the line was marked correctly and how carefully the digger worked near the marks. Digging without notice puts most of the risk on the digger. If a line is hit, stop and report it; if it is gas, leave the area and call 911 from a safe place. This is general information about Louisiana rules, not legal advice.
Can I dig on or near the property line without my neighbor's permission?
You can dig on your own side of the property line, but not on your neighbor's land without permission, and you must not undermine their fence, slab or piers. Old New Orleans lots often have fences and walls that are not on the true line, so a boundary survey, $300 to $900 on HomeGuide's figures, is worth it first.
Want a number for your own lot? We come by, look at the ground and the drainage, and send a written quote. Call or text (504) 608-4795.