GOVmotus is our new software program designed to make obtaining a permit in the City of Central easy and less time-consuming.

Here are a few ADVANTAGES of our new software system:

• Ability to apply and pay for permits

  online.

• Upload building plans and other documentation directly into the permit application.

• Provide immediate inspection results to contractors / residents via email and/or SMS text message.

• Provide information regarding permit status, fee payment, and plan review notes that can be printed at any given time.

• Inspection scheduling, status, and report will be ready for print or review in real

  time.

• The Permit Fee Calculator can provide a quick estimate of a permit plan review and flood zone fees before you apply for permits.

The following is a list of some typical items for which residential permits are required: 

• New Construction

• Manufactured Home Installation

• Additions

• Remodels

• Accessory Buildings (over 200 sq. ft.)

• Portable Accessory Structure (over 120 sq ft.)

• Swimming Pools

• Fences

• Generators

• Change of Occupancy

• Demolitions

• Electrical work

• Mechanical work

• Plumbing work

 Please note that this is not an all-inclusive list. If you have questions as to whether or not you will need a permit for your project, please contact the

Permit Desk at (225)-262-5000 (Ext. #1).

The following is a list of some typical items for which commercial permits are required: 

• New Construction

• Business Signs

• Additions

• Remodels

• Swimming Pools

• Fences

• Generators

• Change of Occupancy*

• Demolitions

• Electrical work

• Mechanical work

• Plumbing work

 Please note that this is not an all-inclusive list. If you have questions as to whether or not you will need a permit for your project, please contact the

Permit Desk at (225)-262-5000 (Ext. #1).​

*All commercial buildings must have a Change of Occupancy inspection before the energy can be turned on or change names. Also, all new businesses must obtain an Occupational License from our Finance Department before opening. If the Change of Occupancy Type change (example:  Business to Assembly) plans must be submitted to our office with approval from the Louisiana State Fire Marshal's office.

All Trade Contractors (MEP) are required, by ordinance, to obtain a City of Central Contractor’s Business License to do work inside the City of Central. Commercial, Residential and Home Improvement Contractors are not required to obtain a City of Central Contractor’s Business License, but are required to present a copy of a valid State of Louisiana Contractor’s License.

If you have not performed work inside the City of Central, please fill out the Contractor’s Business License Application Form below and turn it into our office with the required documents. Once the fees have been paid and the requirements have been met, your City of Central Contractor’s Business License is considered active and you may begin pulling permits immediately.

If you have obtained a City of Central Contractor’s Business License previously and need to renew your license, please fill out the Contractor’s Business License Renewal Application below and return it to our office with the required documents. Once the fees have been paid and the requirements have been met, your City of Central Contractor’s Business License is considered active and you may begin pulling permits immediately.

Please note that in order for your license to be considered active, you must have paid all fees and all required documents must be current. If you have any questions or concerns about the status of your City of Central Contractor’s Business License, contact the Permit Desk at (225)-262-5000 (Ext. 1).

A disturbance permit shall be required prior to:

• Any disturbance by means of mechanized equipment;

• Tree removal by means of mechanized equipment;

• The delivery to or removal from the location of soil, sand, tree materials, or fill material in excess of 12 cubic yards;

• Demolition of a structure or trailer by means of heavy equipment; and

• The excavation, placement, or grading of soil, sand, demolished structural components, or other material by means of mechanized equipment.

The floodplain manager may approve the issuance of a disturbance permit for the deposit of up to 12 inches of fill on a site without a geotechnical report; however, no disturbance permit for the placement of more than 12 inches of fill shall be issued except for soil to be deposited in engineered lifts in accordance with a geotechnical report establishing compaction requirements prepared by a licensed engineer certified in soil mechanics and in accordance with a topography plan prepared by a licensed civil engineer which does not negatively impact surrounding properties or the public drainage infrastructure.​

The floodplain manager may after a site inspection approve the issuance of a disturbance permit for clearing and/or grubbing of a site which does not negatively impact drainage on surrounding properties or the public drainage infrastructure without a geotechnical report or a topography plan.

No building permit shall be approved for a site following issuance of a disturbance permit where the proposed structure or other improvement is inconsistent with the geotechnical report or topography plan.

Incidental tree removal which does not affect the drainage on the property shall not require a disturbance permit.

The Construction Board of Appeals will consider building code variances only for those projects that have been reviewed and disapproved by the Building Official or Floodplain Administrator.  The application may be made when the enforcement thereof would do manifest injustice and would be contrary to the spirit and purpose of this and other technical codes adopted by the City.

Please print and fill out the document below and return it to the Municipal Services Office with the $45 application fee and any other necessary documents.  The Board meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 2:00 p.m. at the Municipal Service Center, 6703 Sullivan Road, Central, LA  70739.  The Owner, Architect/Engineer or Contractor must attend the meeting to present their case.