[StBernard] St. Bernard residents should be aware of changes in zoning ordinance

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard residents should be aware of changes in zoning ordinance
Print By NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune 
on June 08, 2013 at 8:40 AM

Over the past year the St. Bernard Parish Planning Commission and Council,
with the support of the parish administration, have made changes to the
parish's zoning ordinance.

The changes are designed to maintain and protect the residential features of
our beloved neighborhoods. Those changes include a requirement that anyone
wishing to construct, move, or repair a fence must first obtain a permit
from the Department of Community Development. The fee for a fence permit is
$20.

The parish is also attempting to educate the public on several issues
including residential fences may not exceed seven (7) feet in height; corner
lot owners must observe the front yard setback on each side of their
property along a street; and fences may not be constructed within the sight
triangle on corner lots.

Guidelines and regulations for garages, storage buildings and other
residential accessory building include accessory buildings may not exceed 30
percet of the square footage of either the residence to which it is
accessory or 30 percent of the of the required rear yard, whichever is
smaller; and accessory building may be no taller than 13 feet (meaning roof
height).

Also, only very small accessory buildings (such as pre-fabricated or "kit"
storage sheds) measuring 120 square feet or less may use corrugated or
extruded metal as an exterior finish. Corrugated or extruded metal is
prohibited for all other accessory buildings.

The parish's zoning ordinance can be viewed online at www.municode.com.

St. Bernard Parish Government wants to remind residents and business owners
that building permits are required for most construction projects other than
cosmetic or simple repair work. The building permit process is designed to
protect property owners against faulty construction and the risk of doing
work that may not be allowed in a particular zoning district.

Case managers are available in the Office of Community Development daily
from 8:30 a.m. to  4:30 p.m. to review permit or building code issues. You
can reach the permit office in person at 8201 W. Judge Perez Drive,
Chalmette or by phone at (504) 278-4310.