FENCE RULES – ST. HELENA (PARISH), LOUISIANA
OVERVIEW
Residential fences are permitted on private property within St. Helena Parish, subject to local regulations.
This page applies to properties in the unincorporated areas of St. Helena Parish; incorporated municipalities regulate fences under their own ordinances.
St. Helena Parish does not publish a consolidated residential fence chapter. Fence-specific language appears in the Code of Ordinances under a lawful-fence provision, while permit and floodplain review language appears in the parish’s building and floodplain materials.
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 St. Helena Parish Code of Ordinances and St. Helena Parish Police Jury Building Department materials as of March 2026.
GOVERNANCE
The governing authority for the unincorporated parish is the St. Helena Parish Police Jury.
Construction-code administration in the unincorporated parish is assigned to the St. Helena Parish Building Official.
The parish also maintains a Parish Planning Commission under Chapter 19 of the Code of Ordinances. The provided materials do not publish a district-by-district residential fence code, a separate residential fence approval chapter, or a consolidated zoning fence table.
For residential fences, the parish’s published rules are scattered. The fence-specific language appears in Section 4-60 of the Code of Ordinances, while permit and floodplain review language appears in Chapter 5 and on the parish Building Department page.
PERMIT AND APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
The parish’s official materials do not publish a fence-specific building permit threshold, a fence-specific exemption, or a fence-only permit rule for standard residential fences.
• Building Permit: The parish publishes general permit language for buildings and structures through Chapter 5 and the Building Department page, but the provided materials do not expressly identify standard residential fences as a separately listed permit-triggering category.
• Floodplain Development Permit: A floodplain development permit is required in areas of special flood hazard.
• Zoning Compliance: Building permit requirements are separate from zoning, setback, or plat requirements. Confirm any applicable zoning conditions, setbacks, and plat requirements with St. Helena Parish before construction.
FENCE PLACEMENT RULES
The parish does not publish a dedicated set of placement standards for typical single-family residential fences such as front-yard placement rules, side-yard placement rules, corner-lot fence placement rules, or gate-swing rules.
• Property Lines: The ordinance does not state a setback requirement for standard residential fences from property lines; however, fences must be located entirely on the owner’s property and must not encroach into rights-of-way or easements or servitudes.
• Flood Hazard Areas: In areas of special flood hazard, floodplain review applies. In an adopted floodway, encroachments are prohibited unless the ordinance standard is satisfied.
• 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 code does not specify a maximum height for standard residential fences.
• Visibility: The code does not publish a residential fence sight-triangle, corner-visibility, or intersection-clearance standard.
MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION LIMITS
The code’s fence-specific construction language is limited to a lawful-fence section.
• Lawful Fence Type: A five-strand four-point heavy barbed wire fence with posts ten feet apart, bottom wire 14 inches above the ground, and the remaining four wires spaced ten inches apart.
• Lawful Fence Type: A 12-rail fence.
• Lawful Fence Type: A 26-inch woven wire fence with two barbed wires on top, with the first wire six inches above the woven wire and the second wire ten inches above the first wire.
• Other Materials: The code does not publish a separate list of prohibited materials or a broader menu of approved residential fence materials beyond the lawful-fence descriptions above.
PRIVATE RESTRICTIONS
Private covenants, deed restrictions, and homeowners association rules operate independently of parish regulations and may be more restrictive than parish requirements.
REVIEW AND ENFORCEMENT CONTEXT
Fence issues are typically reviewed during permit or approval review when required, and through complaint-based code enforcement. Examples include:
• Floodplain Review: Floodplain development permits are required in areas of special flood hazard, and floodway encroachments are restricted by the floodplain ordinance.
• Encroachment Issues: Rights-of-way, easements, and servitudes remain relevant because the code separately defines them, and the floodplain ordinance preserves more stringent easements, covenants, and deed restrictions where they overlap.
• Construction-Code Enforcement: The St. Helena Parish Building Official may seek to stop or enjoin work that requires a permit but does not have one.
USING THIS INFORMATION
This page provides general orientation on how residential fence rules are structured and applied within St. Helena 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 St. Helena Parish Police Jury and any applicable private agreements. If this page conflicts with official ordinances, published guidance, or direction from St. Helena Parish staff, the official sources control. For legal advice or legal interpretation, consult a licensed attorney.