FENCE RULES – UNION (PARISH), LOUISIANA
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within Union Parish, subject to local regulations.
This page applies to properties in the unincorporated areas of Union Parish; incorporated municipalities regulate fences under their own ordinances.
Within the unincorporated parish, the published materials reviewed for this page do not contain a consolidated residential fence chapter. The principal published materials that could affect an ordinary household fence are Chapter 10 of the Union Parish Code of Ordinances on building permits and Chapter 18 on floodplain development in areas of special flood hazard. The only codified fence-specific section located in the reviewed code materials, Sec. 8-7, concerns lawful livestock fencing in old Ward 2 and does not function as a general single-family residential fence standard.
This page focuses on typical single-family residential fencing. If the jurisdiction’s adopted materials do not state a specific limit or requirement, this page notes that the code does not specify one.
Compiled From the Union Parish Code of Ordinances, the Union Parish Police Jury Resources page, the Union Parish Police Jury home page, the Departments page, and the posted Building Permit Instructions as of March 2026.
GOVERNANCE
Residential fence administration in Union Parish is centered on the Union Parish Police Jury. Chapter 10 designates a parish building official for areas outside municipal limits, and Chapter 18 designates the secretary-treasurer of the police jury as the floodplain administrator. The posted Building Permit Instructions identify the Building Official, Lagniappe Inspection Services, the 9-1-1 Office, the Union Parish Health Unit, and the Union Parish Police Jury Office as the offices involved in the parish building-permit process.
The parish does not publish a consolidated residential fence code. The only codified fence-specific provision located in the reviewed code materials is Sec. 8-7, a lawful livestock fence standard for old Ward 2. The code also creates the Northeast Louisiana Regional Planning Commission in Chapter 32, but the compiled materials reviewed for this page do not publish a separate fence-specific zoning or plat approval process for ordinary residential fences.
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
• General Building Permit Article: Sec. 10-32 requires a permit before constructing, reconstructing, altering, or repairing a building or structure in unincorporated Union Parish, excluding farm structures and recreational camps.
• Fence-Specific Building Permit Trigger: The Union Parish Code of Ordinances and the posted Building Permit Instructions do not expressly state a fence-specific building permit trigger or a fence-height exemption for standard residential fences.
• Floodplain Development Permit: In areas of special flood hazard, Sec. 18-8 requires a floodplain development permit. Sec. 18-5 defines development as any manmade change to real estate, including buildings or other structures.
• Zoning Compliance: Building permit requirements are separate from zoning, setback, or plat requirements. Confirm any applicable zoning conditions, setbacks, and plat requirements with Union Parish Police Jury before construction.
FENCE PLACEMENT RULES
• Published Placement Standards: The parish code does not publish standard residential fence placement rules addressing front yards, side yards, rear yards, corner lots, setbacks from property lines, or encroachment into rights-of-way, easements, or servitudes for ordinary single-family fences.
• Utility Safety: Louisiana’s Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law requires the person responsible for excavation or demolition to provide notice to the regional notification center (Louisiana 811) before digging. Notice must be provided at least two (2) full business days before the proposed commencement date of the excavation or demolition. Markings are considered valid up to 20 calendar days from the “mark-by” time, as long as the marks remain visible.
FENCE HEIGHT AND VISIBILITY RULES
• Maximum Height: The parish code does not specify a maximum height for standard residential fences.
• Visibility Standards: The parish code does not publish a fence-specific sight-triangle, corner-visibility, or traffic-visibility rule for standard residential fences.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
• Materials: The parish code does not publish permitted or prohibited material standards for standard residential fences.
• Construction Details: The parish code does not publish standard residential fence rules on opacity, finished-side orientation, post placement, barbed wire, or electric fencing.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
• HOAs and Covenants: Homeowners association rules, subdivision covenants, easements, and deed restrictions operate independently of parish fence rules and may be more restrictive. In areas governed by Chapter 18, Sec. 18-10 states that where the flood ordinance and another ordinance, easement, covenant, or deed restriction conflict or overlap, the more stringent restriction prevails.
REVIEW AND ENFORCEMENT CONTEXT
Fence issues are typically reviewed during permit or approval review when required, and through complaint-based code enforcement. Examples include:
• General Permit Administration: Chapter 10 places general permit administration in the parish building official for unincorporated Union Parish, and the posted Building Permit Instructions route plan review and permit issuance through the offices identified above.
• Floodplain Review: In areas of special flood hazard, the floodplain administrator reviews and approves or denies floodplain development permits under Sec. 18-44 and Sec. 18-45.
• Floodplain Compliance: Sec. 18-9 requires structures or land in special flood hazard areas to comply with the flood ordinance and other applicable regulations.
• Fence-Specific Standards: The published materials do not provide a separate complaint standard, maintenance standard, or fence-specific inspection schedule for ordinary residential fences.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within Union Parish, based on publicly available materials reviewed as of March 2026.
In addition to local fence rules, certain Louisiana laws apply statewide. See Statewide fence laws in Louisiana.
It is not legal advice and does not replace official ordinances, permits, surveys, or professional guidance. Rules and interpretations may change, and application may vary based on zoning district, site conditions, easements, rights-of-way, and private restrictions such as HOA covenants. Before purchasing materials or beginning construction, confirm current requirements and any site-specific limitations with Union Parish Police Jury Office and any applicable private agreements. If this page conflicts with official ordinances, published guidance, or direction from Union Parish staff, the official sources control. For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.