All applications for Coastal Use Permits can be filled out, completed, and paid for online at the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources website. For a printable version to complete and pay for by mail, click here.

Generally, a Coastal Use Permit is needed when constructing any of the following projects in an area either in the Louisiana Coastal Zone, or in a location that could affect the Louisiana Coastal Zone:

If you have any questions about whether your desired project would require a Coastal Use Permit, please contact the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Office of Coastal Restoration and Preservation at (985) 873-6889 or e-mail czm@tpcg.org

On the State level, the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources charges a permit fee of $20 for residential purposes and $100 for commercial purposes. "Commercial Purposes" includes ANY sort of business that will be conducted due to the work performed (e.g. constructing a wharf from which you will sell seafood).

For more information on permit fees, contact the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Office of Coastal Restoration and Preservation at (985) 873-6889 or e-mail czm@tpcg.org.

Generally speaking, repairs to an existing structure can be made without obtaining a new permit if there is no new construction being performed. Any dredging, filling, driving or removing pilings, etc. should be performed only after obtaining a new permit. Replacing parts of a structure that requires no impact to the land does not usually require a new permit.

Before doing any work without a permit, however, please contact the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Office of Coastal Restoration and Preservation at (985) 873-6889 or e-mail czm@tpcg.org for guidance and assistance.

Standard Coastal Use Permits obtained from the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources are valid for 5 years. The state requires, however, that initial work on the project be commenced within 2 years of receiving your CUP.

For extenuating circumstances, please contact the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Coastal Management Division at (225) 342-7591.

For all information pertaining to what is necessary to apply for a Coastal Use Permit, please refer to the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources website for obtaining Coastal Use Permits.

Once a permit application is submitted to the Department of Natural Resources, it is reviewed by a team of Permit Analysts. If there is any missing information, you will receive an Application Checklist from the Department of Natural Resources explaining what is necessary to process your application. Once you have submitted all necessary documents, the application is submitted to Terrebonne Parish, along with other local, state, and federal agencies for review.

Permit processing and issuance times can vary from as few as 5 days to several months, depending on the nature of the work proposed, location of the activities, and issues/questions raised by the various agencies with commenting authority.