Much of the Lafayette area has mapped flood hazard areas. If your lot is in one, check the floodplain rules before you choose a slab height or site plan.
Check your flood zone
Look up your address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. LCG's Floodplain Administrator also keeps elevation and floodproofing certificates for buildings in the floodplain.
LCG's general criteria
- All development in the City of Lafayette and unincorporated Lafayette Parish requires permits from the Development & Planning Department.
- Zero net fill (compensatory storage): adopted in November 2017. Fill or buildings that take up flood storage must be offset by an equal volume of storage removed elsewhere. LCG's summary: "if you bring one bucket (fill) in - you need to take one bucket out."
- Development that encroaches on a floodway needs a Certificate of No-Rise, and the NFIP recommends discouraging floodway development.
New buildings in the flood fringe
- Residential: the lowest floor, including the mechanical and electrical equipment serving it, must be at least 1 ft above the base flood elevation (BFE).
- Non-residential: elevated or flood-proofed to 1 ft above BFE.
Improving an existing building
LCG applies the new-building standards when improvements over a rolling ten-year period exceed 50% of the structure's market value, or when additions exceed 50% of the original square footage.
What this means for a metal building
Slab height, fill and drainage are site-specific. Ask your contractor and engineer how the plan meets these rules. See slabs & site prep.
General information only, not legal or engineering advice. Rules change, so confirm with the agency linked below or a licensed professional before you start work.
Sources
Last reviewed: October 2026.
Related: Slabs & site prep · Permits · All guides