Terrebonne Parish Residents with Flood Damage Reminded of Permit Requirements
As property owners in Terrebonne Parish contemplate clean up and repairs following recent disaster damage, the Planning & Zoning Permits Office is reminding residents to obtain local permits before repairing or rebuilding damaged structures. TPCG will be waiving the permit fee for repairs related to Tropical Storm Arthur until July 18, 2026.
The permits are required as part of local government participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, providing eligibility for flood insurance, flood disaster assistance, state and federal grants and loans, and buyout funds for flood-prone property.
Local floodplain management ordinances require that permits be obtained for any construction or development activity in a floodplain area, including the repair or reconstruction of structures damaged by any source.
Special conditions apply to substantially damaged buildings, those in which the total cost of repairs is 50 percent or more of the structure’s pre-flood market value. If a building is found to be substantially damaged, regulations require that repairs not begin until compliance with the local floodplain ordinance is demonstrated. In some cases, that may require repairs that include elevating or flood-proofing the structure to reduce the potential for future flood damage.
The cost of repairing must be calculated for full repair to "pre-damaged" condition, even if the owner elects to do less. The total cost to repair includes structural and finish materials as well as labor. If labor and materials have been donated, they must still be assigned a value. If local building codes require the structure to be repaired according to certain standards, these additional costs must be included in the full repair cost for the structure.
State and federal assistance may be available to property owners to reduce the chances of future flood damage. Mitigation assistance may cover costs of relocation, or for elevating or purchasing flood-damaged structures. Flood insurance may also provide up to $30,000 to protect a structure from future flood damage.
Property owners and residents with damaged buildings should contact the Permits Office at 985-873-6567 for more information on repair and reconstruction permits.
