St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana Roofing Permit Regulations and County Ordinances for Unincorporated Areas
St. Tammany Parish Roofing Permit Requirements
St. Tammany Parish's Department of Permits and Inspections is responsible for enforcing building codes and ordinances to ensure public health, welfare, and safety. This department handles permit requirements for properties in unincorporated areas of the parish. Incorporated municipalities within St. Tammany Parish, such as Covington, Slidell, and Mandeville, manage their own permitting processes.
For roofing projects in unincorporated St. Tammany Parish, a permit is generally required if you are replacing 50% or more of the roof covering. The parish currently follows the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) Chapter 9 for roof assemblies, with all assemblies needing to be designed for 140 mph ultimate wind speeds. Specific requirements include:
- Roof coverings must be applied according to the manufacturer's instructions, including proper fastening, starter strips, hips, valleys, and ridges.
- Crickets and saddles are required on the ridge side of any chimney or penetration wider than 30 inches, measured perpendicular to the slope.
- Underlayment should consist of two layers, applied with specific dimensions and overlaps as detailed in the code.
- Asphalt shingles must be fastened to solidly sheathed decking and are only permitted on slopes of 2/12 or greater.
- A drip edge is mandatory at eaves and rake edges, with a minimum overlap of 2 inches.
- Any existing flashing, edging, outlets, and vents that are rusted, damaged, or deteriorated must be replaced.
- Photos with geotagging are required for new roofs and roof replacements. These photos must show the decking, underlayment, lapping, nailing, taping, flashing, and crickets. A photo of all sides of the completed roof is also necessary.
To apply for a permit, you will need to determine if your project is in unincorporated St. Tammany Parish and then download the appropriate permit packet (in this case, the roofing packet) from the parish's permit page. You will need to complete the permit forms, providing details about the parcel, subdivision, flood zone, drainage, and road access. Supporting documents such as surveys, elevation information, plans, engineering details, and other necessary approvals must also be assembled. The application materials place a significant emphasis on drainage, floodplain, fill, and sediment control documentation.
The application process involves submitting the completed packet to the Department of Permits and Inspections and paying the required permit and plan review fees. You may need to respond to plan review comments or requests for additional information. After the permit is issued, required inspections must be completed in sequence. Final approval and occupancy are contingent upon satisfying all drainage, flood, and utility closeout requirements.
For detailed information and to access necessary forms, it is recommended to visit the St. Tammany Parish Department of Permits and Inspections website or contact them directly.