Louisiana building code

Codes in force in Louisiana

Each code family with the edition and the date it took effect, as the adopting agency or statute states them.

Adopted by: Louisiana Uniform Construction Code Commission¹.

Scope, amendments and transition rules

International Residential Code (IRC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere¹

Applies to

New construction, reconstruction, additions to homes previously built to the IRC, and extensive alterations¹

Local amendments allowed?

No¹

Amendments

LAC 17:I.107¹

Transition period

Inspections use the codes in effect on the date of the original building permit application¹

Next edition (not yet in force)

2024 IRC, proposed effective January 1, 2027³

International Building Code (IBC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere¹

Applies to

Municipalities and parishes statewide, subject to the exemptions in R.S. 37:3738¹

Local amendments allowed?

No¹

Amendments

LAC 17:I.103¹

Transition period

Inspections use the codes in effect on the date of the original building permit application¹

Next edition (not yet in force)

2024 IBC, proposed effective January 1, 2027³

International Existing Building Code (IEBC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere¹

Applies to

Municipalities and parishes statewide, subject to the exemptions in R.S. 37:3738¹

Local amendments allowed?

No¹

Amendments

LAC 17:I.105¹

Transition period

Inspections use the codes in effect on the date of the original building permit application¹

Next edition (not yet in force)

2024 IEBC, proposed effective January 1, 2027³

International Mechanical Code (IMC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere¹

Applies to

Municipalities and parishes statewide, subject to the exemptions in R.S. 37:3738¹

Local amendments allowed?

No¹

Amendments

LAC 17:I.109¹

Transition period

Inspections use the codes in effect on the date of the original building permit application¹

Next edition (not yet in force)

2024 IMC, proposed effective January 1, 2027³

International Plumbing Code (IPC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere¹

Applies to

Municipalities and parishes statewide, subject to the exemptions in R.S. 37:3738¹

Local amendments allowed?

No¹

Amendments

LAC 17:I.111¹

Transition period

Inspections use the codes in effect on the date of the original building permit application¹

Next edition (not yet in force)

2024 IPC, proposed effective January 1, 2027³

International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere¹

Applies to

Municipalities and parishes statewide, subject to the exemptions in R.S. 37:3738¹

Local amendments allowed?

No¹

Amendments

LAC 17:I.113¹

Transition period

Inspections use the codes in effect on the date of the original building permit application¹

Next edition (not yet in force)

2024 IFGC, proposed effective January 1, 2027³

National Electrical Code (NEC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere¹

Applies to

Municipalities and parishes statewide, subject to the exemptions in R.S. 37:3738¹

Local amendments allowed?

No¹

Amendments

LAC 17:I.115¹

Transition period

Inspections use the codes in effect on the date of the original building permit application¹

Next edition (not yet in force)

2023 NEC, proposed effective January 1, 2027³

Energy code, residential

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere¹

Applies to

Municipalities and parishes statewide, subject to the exemptions in R.S. 37:3738¹

Local amendments allowed?

No¹

Amendments

LAC 17:I.117¹

Transition period

Inspections use the codes in effect on the date of the original building permit application¹

Next edition (not yet in force)

2024 IECC, proposed effective January 1, 2027³

Energy code, commercial

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere¹

Applies to

Municipalities and parishes statewide, subject to the exemptions in R.S. 37:3738¹

Local amendments allowed?

No¹

Amendments

LAC 17:I.117¹

Transition period

Inspections use the codes in effect on the date of the original building permit application¹

Next edition (not yet in force)

2024 IECC, proposed effective January 1, 2027³

How Louisiana adopts building codes

R.S. 37:3727-3750 (Act 881 of 2026); LAC 17:I.Chapter 1

• Statewide; applies everywhere. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary relating to the authority of local governments to enforce building codes, all municipalities and parishes in this state shall enforce only the Uniform Construction Code provided in this Chapter and as promulgated in the commission's rules and regulations.¹
• Initial code effective January 1, 2007. The initial code adopted by the commission pursuant to the provisions of this Part became effective on January 1, 2007.¹
• Code review at least every five years from publication. The commission shall review, evaluate, and amend the codes within the Uniform Construction Code no later than five years from the date of publication of the appropriate code.¹
• No sprinkler mandate for one- and two-family dwellings. A municipality or parish shall not adopt or enforce an ordinance or other regulation requiring a fire protection sprinkler system in one- or two-family dwellings.¹
• Roof permits and inspections required for one- and two-family dwellings where the local government issues permits. Permit and inspect one- and two-family dwellings for roof construction and reroofing in compliance with the International Residential Code Chapters 8 and 9 requirements as adopted and promulgated by the commission.¹
• Local option: IRC Appendix J. Appendix J, Existing Buildings and Structures, may be adopted and enforced only at the option of a parish, municipality, or regional planning commission.¹
• Renamed commission and renumbered statute. Effective August 1, 2026, R.S. 40:1730.21 through 40:1730.40.2 were repealed and the authority of the Louisiana Uniform Construction Code Commission was enabled by R.S. 37:3727 through 37:3750 pursuant to Act 881 of the 2026 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature.³

Applies to

All municipalities and parishes¹

Can local rules be stricter?

Yes¹

What local governments may change

R.S. 37:3736; R.S. 37:3737(A)(1); R.S. 37:3748(E)

• Local governments may not amend mandatory code provisions. Nothing in this Chapter allows any local government to avoid enforcement, or to otherwise amend any of the mandatory construction code provisions required in this Chapter, or to prohibit licensed contractors or homeowners from using licensed private inspectors.¹
• Home rule charter controls where it conflicts. In the enforcement of any provision of the construction code provided for in this Chapter, if any provision of this Chapter conflicts with the provisions of a home rule charter pertaining to the powers, functions, and duties of a local government; or with the structure, organization, or distribution of the powers and functions of that local government; the provisions of that home rule charter supersede the conflicting provisions of this Chapter.¹
• If a governing authority or any municipality or parish finds that the state minimum standards do not meet its needs, the local government may with approval of the commission provide requirements more stringent than those specified by the state.¹
• No required architect or engineer stamp on prescriptive one- and two-family plans. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a municipality or parish shall not require that a residential building plan for a one- or…¹

Can local rules be stricter?

Yes¹

For permits, exemptions and owner-builder rules, see Louisiana building permits. To compare editions across states, see the code adoption map.