Ramps in Louisiana: parish permits, renters and heavy rain

A ramp at a Louisiana home has to answer two questions before the first board is cut. Will the parish or city want a permit? And, for renters, can the landlord refuse? State law points the first question to local building officials and answers the second with a clear rule on reasonable modifications.

The third question is the weather. A ramp in Louisiana has to cope with heavy rain year round, heat that softens some surfaces, and storm seasons that test anything left outside. Here is what the statutes say, what NOAA's climate record shows, and products for the last few inches at the door.

Who enforces building codes for a Louisiana ramp

Louisiana has a State Uniform Construction Code, and enforcement belongs to local government. R.S. 40:1730.23(A) states: "Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary relating to the authority of local governments to enforce construction codes, all municipalities and parishes in this state shall enforce only the construction codes provided for in this Part." It continues that they "shall use building code enforcement officers or certified third-party providers," and that enforcement includes "examination or review of plans, drawings, or specifications; the conducting of inspections; and the issuance, denial, or revocation of permits."

The same subsection notes that nothing in it prevents "a commercial or residential contractor or homeowner from using a third-party provider" as allowed in R.S. 40:1730.24(B). So a homeowner may have more than one route to plan review and inspection.

What the statute does not do is list which home projects need a permit. Whether a ramp at your address requires one depends on the code as your parish or city applies it, and on details such as height, landings and any attachment to the house. We did not find a homeowner exemption for ramps in the sections we read. The parish or city permit office is the place to ask, ideally with a simple sketch of the planned ramp.

Renters and reasonable modifications

The Louisiana Equal Housing Opportunity Act addresses this. Under R.S. 51:2606(A)(6)(c)(i), discrimination includes "A refusal to permit, at the expense of the person with a disability, reasonable modifications of existing premises occupied or to be occupied by such person if such modifications may be necessary to afford such person full enjoyment of the premises." For rentals, the landlord may, "where it is reasonable to do so, condition permission for a modification on the renter agreeing to restore the interior of the premises to the condition that existed before the modification, reasonable wear and tear excepted." Make the request in writing.

Rain, heat and storms: what a Louisiana ramp faces

NOAA's Louisiana climate summary reports annual precipitation from around 50 inches in the north to around 70 inches in parts of the southeast, with 4-inch extreme rain events at a record high during 2015-2020. It notes that much of southeastern Louisiana averages only 3 feet in elevation, that the coast is "particularly vulnerable to severe flooding from a direct hurricane strike, which occurs about once every three years," and that flooding is also a hazard along the Mississippi River.

For a ramp, that argues for a surface that drains quickly and keeps traction when wet, landings that do not hold water, and an anchoring plan that takes storm season seriously. If your entry already sits high above the yard, a long ramp may be needed, which is a good reason to measure the rise accurately before ordering.

Help at the doorway

• A small step or raised threshold. The Harmar Rubber Threshold Ramp covers rises up to 4 in. Its rubber is non-slip with beveled sides, assembled sizes run from 12 x 39 in to 48 x 46 in, and Harmar backs it with a 3-year warranty.
• The front door at home. The Open Sesame Residential Automatic Door Opener comes with a remote, handheld or mounted on a wheelchair, and keeps running on an internal battery in a power failure.
• A church hall or small shop. Open Sesame built the Commercial Automatic Door Opener for light commercial use such as lobbies, storefronts and restroom doors. Closing speed can be tuned for wind, and an internal battery takes over in an outage.
• A sturdy wall button. The Large Wireless Wall Push Pad (FL) has a thick metal plate that Open Sesame describes as very tamper-proof, runs on a 9V battery and needs no wiring back to the operator.

To size a full ramp, the ramp fit check asks for the rise and the room you have to work with.

LATAN can help

The AT3 Center lists the Louisiana Assistive Technology Access Network as the state assistive technology program. LATAN offers free device demonstrations, device loans and an AT lease program, and describes alternative financing options and a sliding fee scale, which may help a family spread the cost of home access equipment.

Ordering and delivery to Louisiana

We work with a team of credentialed local specialists to guarantee timely, safe, and optimal delivery and installation. We ship to the lower 48 states and DC; orders over $500 ship free and orders under $500 ship for $15, and we cover the sales tax on every order. Most products are processed in 2-5 business days, with some brands differing. Read shipping to Louisiana or start with the ramp fit check.

Questions about ramps in Louisiana

Do I need a permit for a wheelchair ramp in Louisiana?

Ask your parish or city permit office. R.S. 40:1730.23 requires municipalities and parishes to enforce the state construction codes, including plan review, inspections and permits. The statute does not list ramps one way or the other, and we found no homeowner exemption for them, so local officials decide based on your design.

Can a homeowner in Louisiana use a private inspector?

R.S. 40:1730.23(A) says nothing in it prevents "a commercial or residential contractor or homeowner from using a third-party provider" as provided in R.S. 40:1730.24(B). Whether that route suits a small ramp project is a question for your local permit office and the provider you are considering.

Can my landlord stop me from adding a ramp in Louisiana?

R.S. 51:2606(A)(6)(c)(i) treats it as discrimination to refuse reasonable modifications, at the tenant's expense, that may be necessary for full enjoyment of the home. A landlord may set reasonable conditions, such as restoring the interior later, so get any agreement in writing.

What ramp surface works in Louisiana rain?

NOAA records year-round precipitation in Louisiana, with extreme rain events at a record during 2015-2020. Choose a surface that drains and stays slip-resistant when wet, and make sure landings shed water. For a threshold, the Harmar Rubber Threshold Ramp uses non-slip rubber rated for indoor or outdoor use.

Is there a door opener for a Louisiana church or business?

The Open Sesame Commercial Automatic Door Opener is built for light commercial use, such as lobbies, storefronts and restroom doors, according to its product page. It opens up to 120 degrees, adjusts its closing speed for wind, and runs on an internal battery if the power goes out.

Browse the ramps and door openers collection, use the ramp fit check, or take the full assessment. Questions? Email us at info@faithmobility.com.

Sources

• La. R.S. 40:1730.23, enforcement of building codes by municipalities and parishes
• La. R.S. 51:2606, discrimination in sale or rental of housing
• NOAA NCEI State Climate Summaries 2022: Louisiana
• Faith Mobility product page: Harmar Rubber Threshold Ramp
• Faith Mobility product page: Open Sesame Residential Automatic Door Opener
• Faith Mobility product page: Open Sesame Commercial Automatic Door Opener
• Faith Mobility product page: Open Sesame Large Wireless Wall Push Pad (FL)
• AT3 Center: State AT programs directory (Louisiana)
• LATAN, Louisiana Assistive Technology Access Network