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1. What is a Police Jury and its duties?

Today 41 of the 64 parishes in Louisiana are governed by a Police Jury. Parishes may choose to operate under what’s known as home rule authority, which gives them the right to choose other forms of government to operate with such as a consolidated government where the parish government is consolidated with another city government. Currently, 23 parishes operate under home rule charters. 

Under the Police Jury System, the Police Jury is required to establish the size of its body. Police juries in parish populations having more than 10,000 must have no less than five members and no more than 15 members. In parish populations of less than 10,000, police juries must have at least three members. To qualify for Police Juror, a person must be at least 18 years old, a resident of the State for the past two years, and have a residence for a period of one year in the same police jury district they would like to represent. Once these qualifications are met, a vote by the majority of residents in their respective police jury district would be needed to secure the elected office. The term of a Police Juror is four years. 

The general responsibility of the Police Jury is to perform and maintain duties associated with the executive and legislative branches of parish government. The authority of the Police Jury extends to all territory in the Parish which lies outside of an incorporated city, town, or village. Some responsibilities of the Police Jury apply to citizens within incorporated areas of the Parish as well.

Other duties:

• Enacts ordinances and sets policies.
• Oversees the parish budget and improvements programs.
• Holds twice monthly meetings to address issues and concerns in the community.
• Responds to constituents' concerns at neighborhood meetings, through written correspondence, and telephone communication, and staff assistance.

2. Who is my Police Juror?

Police Juror Info Page

3. Where can I review the Code of Ordinances for Assumption Parish?

Click Here for the Code of Ordinances

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1. When should I call for an inspection?

Your approved set of plans will have an attached cover letter. That cover letter is customized for your job site and lists, in detail, exactly when you should call for inspections. It also lists helpful phone numbers to call if you have any questions.

Keep in mind it is required that you keep a copy of the cover letter and approved set of plans on the job site at all times.

If you have misplaced your plans and cover letter, you can download a copy from the customer portal at the My Permit Now website.

2. What happens if I fail an inspection?

You will receive a failed inspection report with a list of items not in compliance. You job is not stopped or halted in anyway, simply fix the necessary items not in compliance and have it re-inspected.

Do not just “cover up” the items that need to be corrected until they are re-inspected. Any portion of your project not affected by the failed report can continue.

3. What do I need before I call for an inspection?

Please have your permit number, the address of your construction project, and a contact name and number for our inspector to reach you. You can find it on your permit or you can search for it using the customer portal on the My Permit Now website.

4. How far in advance should I call?

You should call as soon as you know when the work will be completed. Schedule your inspection and an inspector will be sent to your construction project at the earliest convenience.

5. Should I say that I am ready for an inspection now, when in actuality I will be ready for the inspection tomorrow thinking that by doing so it will get the inspector to my job site on time?

No. Please notify your jurisdiction of the actual date the work will be completed and when you are ready for the inspection. If you say you are ready now, they will come now.

Often if an inspector visits your construction project site for a scheduled inspection and the work is not complete, the inspection will be marked as failed.

A failed inspection may result in additional re-inspection fees.

6. What should I do if I accidentally move ahead in the construction process skipping an inspection?

Honesty is the best policy, so call right away. An inspector will see what stage your construction project is at and try to find an innovative way to find the information needed to determine if it is built to code.

Jurisdictions are not out to hurt your construction project and will do everything they can to help you gather this information without costing you additional money or time.

Do not make it worse or impossible to come up with a solution by ignoring the problem or hoping an inspector will not notice.

7. What if I skip a major inspection such as pouring a concrete slab before getting a plumbing or pre-pour inspection? What can we do to work with me on this?

In this example, you could run into a financial problem since this may require an engineer to verify that the slab is code compliant or a plumber to snake cameras down your plumbing. All of which can become expensive.

However, if you simply follow the guidelines provided on the cover letter on your approved set of plans, you will not have any of these problems.

It cannot be stressed enough to read your review letter and approved plans.

8. What are my options if I disagree with the results of an inspection? Is there an appeals process?

If you disagree with an inspection, you can request to speak to the building official about the matter. If you do not agree with the building official's explanation, you may be able to have your appeal heard by a local, regional or state code enforcement authority.

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1. Why do I need a permit?

State laws and local ordinances require you to have a permit for any construction project.

These laws are designed to protect public safety and welfare by ensuring a project does not endanger you or the public.

2. What happens if I go ahead and build without a permit?

There is a strong possibility that utility companies will refuse to provide electric or gas service to your structure.

Also, we will not issue a Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Compliance for your structure. Both of these documents are important when acquiring proper insurance coverage.

3. I’ve worked on construction projects for a long time. I’m not an amateur and there has never been a problem with my work. Why do I still have to get a permit?

A permit provides proof to a buyer, insurance company, or anyone that your structure is building code compliant by way of an independent inspection process.

If someone does not know your reputation or simply does not want to take your word for it, you have a way to prove you have followed all building codes in your construction projects.

In addition to this, it is required by law.

4. With all the construction going on in my jurisdiction, how would I get caught if I don’t get a permit?

Our Inspectors, along with other parish inspectors, cover every inch of their jurisdiction at some point in a typical week.

Inspectors are generally assigned to specific areas, and are familiar with construction in their area. They will notice your structure and become suspicious when they are not called to your construction project for an inspection.

We also work on citizen’s complaints.

5. What powers do the permit offices have to enforce their permitting rules?

If a builder refuses to work with an inspector, a cease and desist order can be put on the building to stop the construction completely. This is an option of last resort. You will not receive a cease and desist order because you failed an inspection.

By cooperating with our inspectors to make the necessary corrections your project can continue. If the builder refuses to fix the problems listed on the cease and desist order and continues to build the job anyway, the owner may be required to attend a court hearing.

The end result of the hearing will be that the owner is in violation of the law and additional fees and penalties could be imposed by the court.

6. How are permit fees used? What exactly am I paying for?

State law requires jurisdictions to conduct all inspections and plan reviews with certified staff. Permit fees cover the costs to administer building code policies and house knowledgeable, certified staff.

7. It's my property. I do not have a mortgage. I do not plan to carry insurance on my structure. Why can't I build whatever I want? Why do I have to get my building inspected?

If your construction project is built incorrectly, it could damage surrounding structures and property.

The only exception to this is the construction of a farm structure. Because there is often enough space between a farm structure and its surroundings, it is unlikely to cause damage to surrounding structures and property, so these restrictions are relaxed.

In addition to this, it is required by law.

8. I think my neighbor is building without a permit. What should I do?

Most jurisdictions also require the permit holder to post a placard or copy of the permit on the job site for the duration of construction.

If you do not see this document, contact the Parish Permit Office at 985-369-7386 and inquire if the address has been issued a permit.

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1. How do I report road hazards?

Call 985-369-7742 for more information or submit this form to report road hazards.