Permits & Inspections

The Permits and Inspections Department regulates and inspects construction for compliance with building code standards, manages floodplains within the City, provides code enforcement, and coordinates approval of construction plans with other departments.

• Code Enforcement Office manages building condemnation procedures and investigates complaints about zoning violations, inoperative vehicles, tall grass, trash and junk, substandard buildings, and property standards violations.
• Code of Ordinances
• Flood Plain Education/Administration
• Permits and Inspections Office regulates construction within Ruston. The primary function of inspections is safety. Work performed in Ruston must meet standards set by the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code. This office issues permits and performs inspections for construction work inside the City. A certificate of occupancy is issued after new construction is completed to the required code standards. 
• Inspection Fees
• Home Occupation Permit Application

Permits

• The City of Ruston Permits and Inspections office has implemented a new online permitting and inspections software system. All permit applications, payments, and scheduling of inspections will be done through this new system.

  Please visit www.mygovernmentonline.org to apply for all permits with the City of Ruston. If you need any assistance please contact the Help Line at 1-866-957-3764

Pay Online

Pay Online with your Visa or Mastercard through the MyGovernmentOnline.org portal:

1. Go to www.mygovernmentonline.org and login with your user account. 
2. Click on the "Account" button at the top right section of the page.
3. Scroll down to the "My Permits" section. Locate the permit number you wish to pay and click on "View Permit".
4. Click on the "Payments" tab.
5. Click on the "Pay Online" button near the bottom of the page to pay the balance with your Visa or MasterCard.
6. Once you have completed processing your payment, the system will notify the Permit Department staff automatically. A staff person will contact you when the permit is ready for issuance.

Mail Payments (Check or Money Order)

City of Ruston
701 East Tennessee Ave.
Ruston, LA 71270

In Person

If you would like to pay fees at the permit office, please bring this invoice and your payment to:

City of Ruston
701 East Tennessee Ave.
Ruston, LA 71270
Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Building Permit

Required for new construction, alterations, repairs, or additions with an estimated cost greater than $1,000 or if the work is structural such as removal or replacement of supporting timbers. A Building Permit is also required for construction of a swimming pool, and for moving a building.

The permit applicant is held responsible for correcting any code violations. For that reason it is generally helpful to have the contractor, rather than the building’s owner, apply for the Building Permit.

Trade Permits

• Electrical Permit
  Required for installing, adjusting, relocating, removing or adding to your electrical systems beyond changing a fixture or hanging a ceiling fan.Only your licensed electrical contractor can apply for this permit.
• Mechanical Permit
  Required for installing, repairing, or removing any fixed mechanical device such as a central or ducted air conditioning system or any fixed gas appliance.Only your licensed mechanical contractor can apply for this permit.
• Plumbing Permit
  Required for installing, removing or replacing any pipe or plumbing fixture.Only your licensed master plumber can apply for this permit.
• Gas Permit
  Required for installing, removing, or replacing gas piping, and for installing or replacing gas appliances.Only your licensed master plumber or a State-licensed mechanical contractor can apply for this permit.

Demolition Permit

Required for razing any permanent structure. The owner or contractor is responsible for arranging utility cutoffs prior to obtaining the demolition permit. The water and sewer lines must by capped by a licensed master plumber prior to issuance of the demolition permit. 

Grading and Erosion Control Permit

Required for all land distrubing activities in accordance with City of Ruston Ordinance 1355 of 2001.

Moving Buildings Permit

Required for the placement of all structures including oversized accessory buildings and manufactered housing. 

Sign and Billboards

Required for on premise and off premise signs or billboards.

Wireless Communication Towers

Required for all wireless communication facilities or media facilities.

Elevation Certificates

Required for new construction that may be within a flood plain. An elevation certificate from a licensed land surveyor is required before construction can begin and again after completion of construction. This helps prevent flood losses for the structure owner.