For Immediate Release, Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Contact:  Suzanne Parsons Stymiest @ 985-898-5243

 

PARISH REITERATES TRAILER REGULATIONS, PERMITTING RULES

             St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis is reminding residents that while zoning regulations have been relaxed in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, laws still exist to regulate the placement and installation of mobile homes and trailers.

             “Many of our residents are seeking FEMA trailers or are using their own campers or mobile homes for temporary lodging while they rebuild,” Davis said. “We want to accommodate citizens as much as possible, but public safety and uniformity must be foremost in our minds.”

             The Parish Government Permits Department has issued thousands of permits for local and out-of-state contractors doing work in the parish. Additionally, Permits officers have provided hundreds of permits at no charge to residents completing their own repairs. Fees have been waived for most of these. Still, regulations are in place to streamline the process while protecting public safety and the integrity of utility systems. The Parish reserves the right to inspect work in the interest of public safety. Structures with more than 50 percent damage must comply with all permit regulations and inspections.

             “We understand that most of our citizens are unfamiliar with the process of acquiring a permit from our office, and we want to make it as simple as possible,” Davis said.

             Davis today ordered the reissuing of applicable regulations on the Parish Government website (www.stpgov.org) and to local media. Media are asked to summarize this information for citizens. Attached are copies of regulations in use regarding the placement of trailers/mobile homes and permitting processes.

ST. TAMMANY PARISH

POST KATRINA PLACEMENT STANDARDS

MOBILE HOMES, TRAVEL TRAILERS, MOTOR HOMES

 Mobile Home Requirements:

Mobile homes will be required to meet all standards for water, sewer and electrical service that existed prior to Hurricane Katrina.

 
Travel Trailers and Motor homes

A-1 thru A-4  Residential Zoned Property

 

All travel trailer /motor home permits expire November 1, 2006

 

Existing Residential Home Site (home is livable little or no damage to structure)

 

Existing Residential Home Site (home is uninhabitable)

 

Existing Residential Home Site (no home on property)

OTHER

Travel trailers/motor home placed on property that has no existing sewerage treatment, source of water, or electrical service must meet the standard requirements before placement will be allowed.

Contractor Registration

General contractors and subcontractors doing work in the unincorporated St. Tammany Parish must be registered with The Department of Permits and Regulatory.

Louisiana State Contractors

Copy of State License
Valid driver’s license
Certification of resident contractor status (State Department of Revenue and Taxation)
Home offices must register with the Department of Planning and Zoning
$55.00 registration fee
Obtain an occupational license and vehicle sticker (Sheriff’s Office 141 Production Dr. Slidell)
This registration is valid thru December 31, 2005

 

Out of State Contractors

Copy of State License
Certificate of liability insurance
Valid driver’s license
Plumbing contractors must obtain a temporary license from the Louisiana State Plumbing Board.
Must register with the State Department of Revenue and Taxation
$55.00 registration fee
Obtain an occupational license and vehicle sticker (Sheriff’s Office 141 Production Dr. Slidell)
This registration is valid thru December 31, 2005

ELECTRICAL

v   

Licensed Electricians are required to file for:

Temporary service

Electrician must file permits for temporary electrical service reconnection.  Permit fees have been waived for temporary electrical connection permits.

Prior to temporary electrical reconnection the electrician shall:

 

v     Change out any electrical devices that were submerged due to flooding.

 

v     Change out any Meter pans, service disconnects or electrical panels that were submerged due to flooding.

 

Construction test meter for flood damaged structures

Electrician must file a permit requesting a construction test meter (permit fees have been waived)  A construction test (60day) meter will be released to licensed electrical contractors, who provide a written statement at the time of permit application, advising that all exposed horizontal wiring shall be protected.

Prior to construction test meter connection the electrician shall:

v     Change out any electrical devices that were submerged due to flooding.

v     Change out any Meter pans, service disconnects or electrical panels that were submerged due to flooding.

Utility company will be notified to reconnect upon receiving completed permit application from licensed electrician.   Final inspections will be required for the above referenced permits.

Electrical permits for substantially damaged structures

 The entire electrical system of substantially damaged structures shall be required to comply with the 2002 National Electrical Code. All necessary permits, inspections and fees shall apply.

Electrical permits for all new construction, additions, remodeling (not storm damaged)

All new construction, additions, and remodeling (not storm related), mobile homes or travel trailers that requires electrical work shall be required to follow standard procedures, permits, inspections and fees shall apply.

BUILDING

  1. Repairs to your home/ business require a permit from the St. Tammany Parish Department of Permits and Regulatory located at 21490 Koop Dr. Mandeville, La.

We will soon have an office located at 61134 Military Rd (Levee Board building) in Slidell.

  1. Before you repair, alter, or replace any of the following items you must obtain a building permit: The roof, walls, siding, wallboard, plaster, insulation, paneling, cabinets, flooring, electrical system, plumbing, heating, or air conditioning.
  1. St. Tammany Parish Department of Permits and Regulatory will conduct post disaster building inspections. This inspection will help St. Tammany Parish to assess the damage to your property.  It will also identify the type of damage and if a permit is needed. There is no cost for this inspection but it must be made before you begin your repairs or reconstruction. Please contact the permit department for more information.
  1. In order to screen out possible opportunist from taking advantage of the current situation, any contracted work must be done by a firm registered to work in St. Tammany Parish.  Furthermore, residents are cautioned and warned not to sign blank contracts, agree to have work performed without first seeing the contractor’s  registration, or allow work or alterations not authorized by the Parish Permit Department.

CLEANUP AND EMERGENCY REPAIRS:

If you are hiring a contractor to clean your flood damaged home, be sure your contractor is qualified to-do so.  Two organizations certify repair/cleaning contractors: the International Institute for Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and the Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration (ASCR). Require your contractor to show proof of certification.

FEES

           

Electrical:

Electrical reconnect, temporary, construction test or permanent meters:

Permit required

No charge for this type of permit.

 

Travel Trailers:

Travel trailers on private property

Permit required, for privately owned travel trailers placed on private property

No charge for this type of permit.

 

FEMA Travel trailers and mobile homes:

Permit required, FEMA is responsible for travel trailers and mobile homes placed on private and public property.

Permit fees apply.

 

Roofing:

Permit required

Roofing contractor…………….fees required

Homeowner…………………...fees waived

 

Building:

Light damage……………………………………..fees waived

Moderate (no structural damage)…………………fees waived

Moderate with structural damaged……………….fees required

Substantial damage………………………………fees required

Reconstruction due to substantial damage………fees required

 

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