Coastal Use Permits can be applied for and obtained from the
Louisiana Department of Natural Resources.
The Coastal Use Permit (CUP) process is part of the Louisiana Coastal Resources Program (LCRP), which is an effort
among Louisiana citizens, as well as state, federal and local advisory and regulatory agencies to preserve, restore,
and enhance Louisiana's valuable coastal resources. The purpose of the Coastal Use Permit process is to make certain
that any activity affecting the Coastal Zone,
such as a project that involves either dredging or filling, is performed in accordance with guidelines established in the LCRP.
The guidelines are designed so that development in the Coastal Zone can be accomplished with the greatest benefit and the least amount of damage.
We are, therefore, providing the following information concerning the steps involved in applying for a CUP. Submitting an application for a
CUP does not imply that a CUP will be required; application is simply one step in following the Rules and Procedures for CUP's so that the
Coastal Zone will be protected.
All applications for Coastal Use Permits can be filled out, completed, and paid for online at the
Louisiana Department of Natural Resources
website. For a printable version to complete and pay for by mail, click here.
Generally, a Coastal Use Permit is needed when constructing any of the following projects in an area either in the Louisiana Coastal Zone,
or in a location that could affect the Louisiana Coastal Zone:
Bridge/Road
Plug/Abandon
Bulkhead/Fill
Production Barge/Structure
Drainage Improvements
Prop Washing
Drill Barge/Structure
Remove Structures
Drill Site
Rip Rap/Erosion Control
Home Site/Driveway
Site Clearance
Levee Construction
Subdivision
Maintenance Dredging
Vegetative Plantings
Pilings
Wharf/Pier/Boathouse
Pipeline/Flow Line
If you have any questions about whether your desired project would require a Coastal Use Permit,
please contact the Lafourche Parish Coastal Zone Management office at (985) 632-4666 or e-mail
czm@lafourchegov.org
On the State level, the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources charges a permit fee of $20
for residential purposes and $100 for commercial purposes. “Commercial Purposes” includes ANY
sort of business that will be conducted due to the work performed (e.g. constructing a wharf
from which you will sell seafood).
On the Parish level, the Lafourche Parish Code of Ordinances states that “each application must
also include an acceptable surety bond of $5,000 to ensure adjustment, alteration or removal
should the local administrator or the Committee determine it appropriate for compliance with
this ordinance, the guidelines, and the Act. The surety bond may be waived by the CZM Committee
or Administration for small projects.” (§19:404 A.3.k.) “The bond shall be returned to the
applicant promptly when a. the applicant withdraws the application, b. the permit application
is denied, or c. the completed project has been inspected and determined to be in compliance
with the terms of the permit.” (§19:404 A.3.k.i.)
For the Construction of Pipelines & Canals, Lafourche Parish requires an additional $500
processing fee as well as a $300 initial inspection fee.
Generally speaking, repairs to an existing structure can be made without obtaining a new
permit if there is no new construction being performed. Any dredging, filling, driving or
removing pilings, etc. should be performed only after obtaining a new permit. Replacing
parts of a structure that requires no impact to the land does not usually
require a new permit. Before doing any work without a permit, please contact
Lafourche Parish Coastal Zone Management at (985) 632-4666 or
czm@lafourchegov.org for a regulatory opinion.
Standard Coastal Use Permits obtained from the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources are
valid for 5 years. The state requires, however, that initial work on the project be commenced
within 2 years of receiving your CUP. For extenuating circumstances, please contact the
Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Coastal Management Division at (225) 342-7591.
Once a permit application is submitted to the Department of Natural Resources, it is reviewed by
a team of Permit Analysts. If there is any missing information, you will receive an Application
Checklist from the Department of Natural Resources explaining what is necessary to process your
application. Once you have submitted all necessary documents, the application is submitted to
the Parish for review. The Lafourche Parish Coastal Zone Management Advisory Committee meets
once a month to review permits in Lafourche Parish. Generally, the Committee meets on the
3rd Tuesday of each month at the Greater Lafourche Port Commission building in Galliano,
Louisiana beginning at 6:30 p.m. Since this is a public meeting, please feel free to attend.
Occasionally, the meeting must be rescheduled due to unforeseen circumstances. To confirm CZM
Advisory Committee Meeting dates & times, please feel free to call the
Lafourche Parish Coastal Zone Management office at (985) 632-4666 or e-mail
czm@lafourchegov.org.
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