Civil Engineering in Parks, LA

Civil Engineering in Louisiana: what governs your project

Stormwater discharges are regulated through the Louisiana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (LPDES), administered by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, including a construction general permit for land-disturbing activities. Access connections to state highways require permits from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. Projects in the coastal zone need Coastal Use Permits from the Office of Coastal Management, and work near levees requires coordination with the local levee district and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Permitting & plan check

Louisiana is unusual in requiring State Fire Marshal plan review for most commercial construction statewide, in addition to local building permits. Local parishes and municipalities issue building permits and perform inspections under locally adopted codes. Early coordination with both the Fire Marshal's office and the local permit office is standard practice on commercial projects.

Good to know

• Large portions of south Louisiana, including New Orleans, sit at or below sea level, protected by one of the most extensive levee and floodwall systems in the country.
• Louisiana's Gulf Coast location puts it in the path of major hurricanes, and post-Katrina rebuilding drove major updates to wind and flood design practice statewide.
• Much of south Louisiana is built on soft, compressible deltaic soils with a very high water table, so deep pile foundations are the norm for significant structures.

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