Louisiana roofing: permits, codes and approvals

Louisiana Fortify Homes Program grants, required FORTIFIED insurance discounts, the 2021 IRC, New Orleans and Baton Rouge re-roof permits with geotagged photos, the LSLBC Residential Roofing license (from 2026) and insurance-claim contract rules.

Switch state

1 · Product approvals

Product approvals

Louisiana has no statewide roofing product approval system. Local inspectors rely on the code's labeling requirements and evaluation reports (ICC-ES, UL, FM).

Code evaluation reports (ICC-ES, UL, IAPMO): 48 roofing reports

2 · Permit forms

City re-roof permits

Act 239 of 2025 (effective Aug. 1, 2025) requires every parish or city that issues construction permits to permit and inspect re-roofing, using IRC Chapters 8-9 for one- and two-family homes. Local offices set the details and may only permit licensed contractors.

New OrleansA residential re-roofing permit is required when 50% or more of the roof is replaced on one- and two-family homes; needs a signed contract, a geotagged photo, and 16 geotagged install photos. Fee $60 ($90 in historic districts).Baton Rouge (East Baton Rouge Parish)Permits and inspections are required for residential and commercial re-roofs; apply on MGOconnect with a roofing form and 16 geotagged photos (existing roof, decking, underlayment, roofing).Metairie / Kenner area (unincorporated Jefferson Parish)A permit is required to replace 50% or more of the roof covering on one- and two-family homes; $50 fee via MGO Connect, signed contract, and geotagged photos of decking, underlayment, drip edge and shingle nailing instead of in-progress inspections.

3 · Code rules

Code rules

The Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code uses the 2021 IRC with Louisiana amendments, effective January 1, 2023. The 2024 I-Codes are scheduled to take effect January 1, 2027. Official adoption page ↗

Photo inspections for roofsUnder state law (HB 393), code officials may accept geotagged photos for required roofing and re-roofing inspections. Baton Rouge and New Orleans both run photo-based roof inspections.No permit without a license (R.S. 37:2160)Local building departments may not issue a building permit to anyone who lacks an active LSLBC license for the scope of work.

4 · Wind, fire and storm programs

Wind, fire and storm programs

The Louisiana Fortify Homes Program funds FORTIFIED Roof replacements, insurers must discount FORTIFIED roofs and offer a FORTIFIED endorsement, and state law limits what contractors can do on insurance claims.

Louisiana Fortify Homes Program grantsLottery-based grants up to $10,000 toward a FORTIFIED Roof on an owner-occupied homestead with wind coverage. Whole roof must be replaced; work before program approval disqualifies the home. Funds go to the contractor.LFHP contractor requirementsContractors need an LSLBC residential roofing or residential construction license, IBHS FORTIFIED certification, $1,000,000 general liability and workers' comp. They may not act as evaluator or public adjuster on program jobs.Required FORTIFIED Roof discounts (Act 533 of 2024)Act 533 amended R.S. 22:1483.1 so rate-filing insurers must give an actuarially justified discount for FORTIFIED construction. LDI publishes each insurer's FORTIFIED Roof discount; most apply to the wind and hail premium.FORTIFIED endorsement and wind mitigation creditsInsurers must offer a FORTIFIED endorsement on homeowners policies and use the Wind Mitigation Survey to set mitigation discounts for owner-occupied one- and two-family homes.Program law (Act 554 of 2022)Act 554 of 2022 governs the Fortify Homes Program; LDI Regulation 126 sets program rules.

5 · License and insurance

License and insurance

Yes. The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors requires a Residential Roofing (or Residential Construction) license for residential roofing jobs of $7,500 or more starting January 1, 2026.

Residential Roofing license (R.S. 37:2156.4)From January 1, 2026, anyone who advertises, bids or performs roofing on a residential structure (up to four units) worth $7,500 or more needs the Residential Roofing or Residential Construction classification and must pass the residential roofing trade exam.Home improvement registration can't cover roofingAct 422 of 2025 lists roofing systems as structural work that home improvement registrants may not perform; roofers need the residential roofing classification instead.Insurance for residential licenseesResidential, home improvement and mold applicants must show at least $100,000 liability coverage and workers' comp, with the Board as certificate holder; give the customer proof of license and insurance on request.Commercial roofing (subclassification 1.11)Commercial projects of $50,000 or more need a commercial license; roofing falls under Roofing and Sheet Metal, Siding (1.11), which requires a trade exam.

6 · Lien and contract forms

Lien and contract rules

Louisiana's Private Works Act gives most lien claimants 60 days after a notice of termination (or substantial completion) to file, with a 70-day residential extension after a notice of nonpayment. Contracts must be written, and insurance-paid roof contracts carry a 72-hour cancel right.

Written contract required (R.S. 37:2159)Contracts must state the full agreement, contractor name and license number, scope, total price, and include current insurance certificates; all parties sign before work starts and each gets a copy.Insurance claim limits (R.S. 37:2159.1)Contractors may not interpret policy coverage, act as or advertise as a public adjuster, take referral fees, or accept an assignment of post-loss insurance benefits, and may not sign up repairs before a good-faith itemized estimate.Statement of claim deadline (R.S. 9:4822(A))Contractors, subs and suppliers must file a statement of claim or privilege within 60 days after the owner files a notice of termination, or within 60 days of substantial completion or abandonment if none is filed.Jobs with a recorded notice of contract (R.S. 9:4822(B)-(C))If a notice of contract was filed, subs and suppliers get 30 days after a notice of termination (or 6 months after substantial completion); the general contractor gets 60 days after the notice of termination (or 7 months).Residential notice of nonpayment (R.S. 9:4822(D))On residential work with no timely notice of contract, a claimant who gives the owner written notice of nonpayment within the 60-day period and at least 10 days before filing gets until 70 days after termination or substantial completion.Suit within one year (R.S. 9:4823)A preserved claim or privilege is extinguished unless the claimant sues the owner to enforce it within one year after filing the statement of claim.

Install instructions by brand: all makers →

Public records, last checked Oct 23, 2026. Always verify on the official source before you permit.