Before you build
For homes outside Lake Charles, Sulphur and Westlake city limits: what the parish rules say about fences, each answer linked to its source.
Last checked: September 2026. Rules change — confirm with the office before you build.
1015 Pithon St., Lake Charles, LA 70602
This guide covers homes outside city limits (Lake Charles, Sulphur and Westlake have their own rules). The parish's Building Permits page answers this question in a short video rather than in writing. Ask a permit official in the Division of Planning and Development at 337-721-3610 or plandispatch@calcasieu.gov.
Source: Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, Building Permits · checked September 2026
Parish permits are applied for through the parish's Civic Access Public online portal, linked from the Building Permits page. A permit official can be reached at 337-721-3610.
Source: Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, Building Permits · checked September 2026
Fences may be put up along the property boundaries of a lot, subject to the corner sight triangle: on a corner lot, nothing more than 3 feet tall (fence, wall, hedge, structure or planting) may be placed within the triangle formed by the two street lines and a line joining points 30 feet from their intersection.
Source: Calcasieu Parish Code of Ordinances § 26-51, Fences · checked September 2026
Parish-approved subdivision plats carry a dedication stating that no building, structure or fence may be built within a servitude shown on the plat so as to prevent or unreasonably interfere with the purpose it was granted for, such as utilities or drainage.
Source: Calcasieu Parish Code of Ordinances § 26-13, Procedure (plat dedication) · checked September 2026
This isn't published online. Ask the Calcasieu Parish Division of Planning and Development at 337-721-3610.
Source: Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, Building Permits · checked September 2026
Pool barrier rules aren't printed in Calcasieu Parish's code of ordinances; the building code it adopts may set them. Ask the Calcasieu Parish Division of Planning and Development at 337-721-3610.
Source: Calcasieu Parish Code of Ordinances § 6-241, International Residential Code adopted · checked September 2026
This isn't published online. Ask the Calcasieu Parish Division of Planning and Development at 337-721-3610.
Source: Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, Building Permits · checked September 2026
Yes. Louisiana law says that before any excavation, the person digging must notify the regional notification center (Louisiana 811) at least 48 hours, but not more than 120 hours, before starting, not counting weekends and holidays. After notifying, you must wait at least 48 hours, counted from 7:00 a.m. on the next working day, before digging, unless Louisiana 811 tells you no utility operators need to be notified.
Source: La. R.S. 40:1749.13, Excavation and demolition; prohibitions · checked September 2026
Yes. The law defines excavation as moving or removing earth by powered, mechanical or manual means, and names digging and augering as examples. Manual probing is not counted as excavation.
Source: La. R.S. 40:1749.12, Definitions · checked September 2026
Call 811 or 1-800-272-3020, or submit a locate request online through Louisiana 811's website. Louisiana 811 says its service is free to anyone who disturbs the soil, whether with heavy equipment or hand tools.
Source: Louisiana 811 (official site) · checked September 2026
If you live in a neighborhood with an HOA, its rules can be stricter than these. This page is a plain-language summary of public rules, not legal advice.
Work out the materials with our Fence materials calculator · Other areas: Lake Charles fence permits, Sulphur fence permits, Westlake fence permits
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Serving Lake Charles, Sulphur, Westlake, Calcasieu Parish.