Real GDP growth accelerated in the fourth quarter of 2021 despite omicron’s spread. This quarter’s growth reflected strong gains in private inventory investment and consumer spending. According to the “advance” estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 6.9% in the fourth quarter of 2021, after a disappointing 2.3%… Read More ›
NAHB analysis of the most recent Quarterly Sales by Price and Financing published by the U.S. Census Bureau reveals that conventional loans financed 77.8% of new home sales in the fourth quarter of 2021—the largest share since Q1 2008. The share increased 2.9 percentage points over Q3 2021 (revised) and has risen each of the last four quarters, up 9.0 percentage points since Q4… Read More ›
At the conclusion of its January policy meeting, the Federal Open Market Committee strongly signaled that it will undertake its first, post-covid increase of the federal funds rate in March. The Fed is tightening monetary policy in response to the highest inflation readings in nearly 40 years. These inflationary pressures have increased both consumer costs and businesses input costs, including… Read More ›
Rachael Lambert, EBR City-Parish Department of Development, continues to be a resource to HBA by making information easily accessible to builders and developers.
- Department of Development Updates: Revamped Main Page
- New FAQ’s:
FULL INFORMATION for EBR Permitting:
BR’s new permitting process started January 1, 2022. Please note, if you were previously choosing the expedited plan review option you can now choose the regular plan review option for the same seven (7) business days guarantee you had previously with expedited. The expedited plan review is now guaranteed within three (3) business days. You no longer need to select the “expedited” plan review option unless you need it within (3) three business days.
*The first business day (day 1) is the first business day after the payment is received.
**Projects are not submitted to plan review until payment has been received.
Visit https://www.brla.gov/582/Plan-Review-Permit-Fees for an overview and the FAQ webpage, https://www.brla.gov/Faq.aspx?QID=703, **Note questions #6, #11, #12.
OVERVIEW:
BR Plan Review Service, effective January 1, 2022.
- Residential plan reviews will be completed within seven (7) business days after receipt of all required information necessary in order to complete an initial review. Residential resubmittals will be reviewed within three (3) business days after receipt.
- Selecting “YES” to the Builder’s Package allows the contractor to pay a portion of the permit fee up front. The remaining Electrical, Mechanical, & Plumbing portion of the permit fee is deferred until just before the permit is issued. The EMP sub-contractors can come pay their portion of the permit fee at any time before the permit issued. The permit won’t be issued until the entire fee has been paid.
- Commercial plan reviews will be completed within twenty-one (21) business days after receipt of all required information necessary in order to complete an initial review. Commercial resubmittals will be reviewed within five (5) business days after receipt.
**Plan review is only one of the many steps in the permitting and review process. It may take additional time for a permit to be issued, based on the specific permit requirements.
| Fee Type | Amount |
| Residential Plan Review & Permit | $0.50 per square foot |
| Commercial Plan Review | Based on Construction Valuation (see below) |
| Flood Zone Determination | $15 |
| Technology Fee | $15 (all permits) |
| Fire Department Inspection | $25, city limits only |
| Landscape Inspection | $50, new commercial buildings & additions |
COMMERCIAL PLAN REVIEW FEES
Fees are Based on Construction Valuation. Minimum Fee is $100:
- For valuations less than or equal to $500,000, the fee shall be $3 per thousand dollars.
- For valuations greater than $500,000 the fee shall be $1,500 dollars plus $0.50 per thousand above $500,000
COMMERCIAL INSPECTION PERMIT FEES
Fees are Based on Construction Valuation. Minimum Fee is $100:
- For valuations less than or equal to $100,000, the fee shall be $5 per thousand dollars.
- For valuations greater than $100,000 through $500,000, the fee shall be $500 plus $4 per thousand above $100,000
- For valuations greater than $500,000 the fee shall be $2,100 dollars plus $1.50 per thousand above $500,000
CREDIT CARD FEE
Payment of permits with a credit card will be charged a 5% fee.
BR Expedited Plan Review Service, effective January 1, 2022
- Expedited RESIDENTIAL plan reviews will be completed within three (3) business days after receipt of all required information, and resubmittals reviewed within two (2) business days after receipt.
- Expedited COMMERCIAL plan reviews will be completed within ten (10) business days after receipt of all required information, and resubmittals reviewed within three (3) business days after receipt.
BR Expedited Plan Review Costs:
Residential: $60 + $0.10 per total square foot under roof
Commercial: $0.19 per total square foot under roof
HBA invited members to hear first hand about navigating EBR permitting in 2022.
Ryan J. Hutchinson, My Government Online, presented on MGO Connect which adds ease to the step by step process of applying for a permit. A new website will be launched this year to mirror the ease of the mobile app. HBA will communicate updates to functions on the app and My Government Online.
If you are interested in future MGO trainings or have questions about permitting, please contact Melissa Parmelee, Community and Government Relations.
Kendig Keast Presentation Document
On January 20, 2022, Kendig Keast Collaborative updated the Ascension Parish Council and Planning and Zoning Commission on progress since the September Update.
Watch on Ascension Parish You Tube Channel
Intermediate ULDC Update – Fences, Connectivity, Traffic (Council will have time to adopt prior to moratorium expiration)
Components of Preliminary Proposal:
- New fence permit procedure
- Revised preliminary plat procedure- Potential to have pre-preliminary plot step to create dialogue before the approval step.
- New access and connectivity section (17-4032-B)
- Revised Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) Requirements (New section 174060, currently Attachment A)
Next steps, Staff will review and give recommendations prior to going to the public.
Related to this post: Ascension Parish Planning And Zoning Vacancies
To learn more about the presentation and other industry issues, please contact Melissa Parmelee, Community and Government Relations.
