Driveway Permits in Jefferson Parish: Metairie, Old Jefferson, and Kenner

Written by Big Easy Paver Patios

Do You Need a Driveway Permit in Jefferson Parish?

Quick Answer: For the part of the driveway that crosses the public right-of-way, yes. Jefferson Parish’s Residential Driveway Review page says all residential developments need a driveway permit “to construct a new, replacement, or additional driveway apron on Parish right-of-way,” and that the permit also includes building or replacing the required public sidewalk. The same page says any proposal to replace or add driveways or sidewalks must be permitted through the parish Department of Engineering. The private stretch between the sidewalk and your garage is a separate question, covered below. If your house is inside Kenner, the city’s own permit office handles the job instead.

This is general information for homeowners, not legal advice, and parish and city offices have the final word for any address. Our post on patio permits in the New Orleans area explains why the parish line matters so much.

Is Your House in Unincorporated Jefferson Parish or Inside a City?

Start here, because it decides which office you deal with. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office lists the parish’s incorporated cities and towns as Gretna, Harahan, Kenner, Westwego, Grand Isle, and Jean Lafitte. Metairie and Old Jefferson aren’t on that list, and neither is River Ridge, so a driveway there runs through parish departments.

If you’re not sure which side of a city line your lot sits on, ask the parish or the city before you plan the job. Our Metairie service area page and River Ridge page cover the east bank neighborhoods we work in.

What Does a Jefferson Parish Driveway Permit Cover?

Here’s what the parish’s driveway review page and its driveway FAQ say:

• The apron and the sidewalk. The permit covers the apron on parish right-of-way, along with building or replacing the required public sidewalk.
• Where to apply. The FAQ sends residential and commercial driveway permit applications to the Engineering Site Plan Review Section.
• State roads are different. If a driveway sits on a state roadway, the parish says the permit must come from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
• Obstructions cost the owner. On new construction, the parish notes that an owner who relocates a power pole, fire hydrant, tree, or street drain to fit a preferred driveway location pays all the relocation costs.
• Maintenance falls to you. The parish FAQ says the property owner is responsible for maintaining the apron, including damage from settlement and trees.

Can a Driveway Apron Be Pavers in Jefferson Parish?

Only with approval. The parish FAQ says “Bricks and/or pavers are only allowed with a waiver and permission from the Engineering Department,” and it points residents to the Engineering Inspections Section to apply for that waiver. Plan the job around a concrete apron unless the parish grants one.

That still leaves plenty of room for pavers. The driveway on your side of the sidewalk can be a full paver field, and a clean transition at the apron keeps the two surfaces from separating. Edge restraint at that joint does a lot of the work. Our page on paver driveways in Metairie shows the kind of drive we build, and our guide to herringbone vs running bond covers how patterns handle turning tires.

Do You Need a Permit for the Private Part of the Driveway?

In unincorporated Jefferson Parish, the parish’s permit page lists “Paving of walkways, driveways, or other non-structural paving on private property” among work that generally doesn’t need a building permit, unless the code official decides it involves a hazardous or complex condition. The same page adds that certain zoning districts require review and approval of paving as part of site plan review and tree preservation.

Old Metairie is the clearest example. The parish says construction work in the Metairie Ridge Tree Protection District or the Old Metairie Neighborhood Conservation District requires a building permit, and that driveways and other activity that may affect tree root systems in the tree protection district need a Tree Preservation permit from the Parkways Department. If your house sits in either district, put those reviews on the schedule before tear-out.

How Are Driveway Permits Different in Kenner?

Kenner is a separate city with its own Inspection and Code Enforcement Department, which processes building permits. The city’s permits page says a building permit is “necessary on all construction, including pools in and above ground, all portable or prefab buildings, cement work and fences.” For apron specs and fees inside Kenner, ask the city directly, because parish rules don’t carry across the city line.

We build paver driveways in Kenner too, and our Kenner service area page covers the rest of the work we do there.

What Else Should You Plan Before the Old Driveway Comes Out?

• The 811 call. Louisiana law requires notice to Louisiana 811 at least 48 hours and no more than 120 hours before excavation, not counting weekends and holidays.
• What sits near the apron. For new construction, the parish says an owner who relocates a pole, hydrant, tree, or street drain to fit a driveway pays the relocation costs, so look at what’s near your apron before you change the layout.
• Right-of-way trees. Parish ordinance gives the Parkways Department authority over trees on parish right-of-way, so talk to Parkways before work near one.
• The base. A driveway needs a deeper compacted base than a patio, and our paver driveway cost guide explains why.
• Drainage. A new driveway changes where rain runs, so settle the pitch toward the street before the base goes down. See drainage and grading in Metairie.

If the driveway you’re replacing is cracked concrete, our guide on whether to resurface or replace cracked concrete helps you decide that first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who maintains the driveway apron in Jefferson Parish?

The parish FAQ says the property owner is responsible for maintaining it, including damage from settlement and trees.

Do I need a permit to replace my driveway in Metairie?

For the apron and sidewalk on parish right-of-way, yes, through the Department of Engineering. Paving on private property generally doesn’t need a building permit, but some districts, such as Old Metairie’s tree protection and conservation districts, add their own reviews.

Can I use pavers for my driveway apron?

On parish property, only with a waiver and permission from the Jefferson Parish Engineering Department.

What if my driveway is on a state highway?

The parish says a driveway on a state roadway needs its permit from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.

Plan a Driveway Replacement in Jefferson Parish

We’ll measure the driveway and check the apron and drainage, then sort out which office reviews your address before we price the job.

See paver driveways in Metairie, or call (504) 688-4244 for a free estimate.