District D Newsletter
VOLUME 1 ISSUE 20

Cynthia Hedge-Morrell, District D
1300 Perdido Street Suite 2W20
New Orleans, LA. 70112
Office 504.658.1040
Fax 504.658.1048

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

BLUE INFO SHEET- elevate the existing structure
Before deciding if a structure should be elevated or demolished and rebuilt, a licensed contractor and/or Structural Engineer should be consulted to determine if the foundation of the house is damaged. If the foundation is not damaged it will most likely be more cost effective to re-use it and elevate the existing structure. If the foundation is damaged, the structure will most likely need to bedemolished.

Only registered users can see links on this forum! Register or Login on forum!

Steps to Elevate an Existing Structure

1. Inquire about Increased Cost of Compliance or Flood Mitigation Assistance to help with the elevation costs (see Yellow Info Sheet)

2. Determine how high the property must be elevated. This will be based on the “Top of Bottom Floor” elevation listed on your elevation survey and the Base Flood Elevation for your area.
a. Example: If the “Top of the bottom floor” elevation is -3.4 feet and the Base Flood Elevation for your Area is -2.5 the structure will need to be elevated a minimum of .9 feet (3.4 - 2.5 = .9)

3. Contact construction companies who specialize in elevation if possible. Always obtain more than 1 quote, or job estimate, on the proposed work, and consult the Better Business Bureau to check the standing of any company you consider hiring.

4. Below are questions you should ask the construction company:
a. Does my whole structure need to be elevated or just some portion?
b. Have you performed this work before? If so, do you have any references?
c. What timeline and cost basis will I be looking at?
d. Who will handle the other associated permits, such as electrical, mechanical, and plumbing?

5. What to expect:
a. You should always go through your contractor first with questions.
b. If permits need to be obtained, it is easier for contractors familiar with the city’s policies to work with building officials.
c. Due to increased volume from the storms last year, patience will be a valuable asset.

6. Permits that will need to be obtained:
a. Building Permit
b. Mechanical Permit
c. Electrical Permit (if electrical work is being done)
d. Plumbing Permit (Obtained from the Sewerage and Water Board)

7. OTHER STEPS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN
a. Take Before and After Photos, in case of conflict resolution with the contractor
b. Verify whether you are in a Historic District before beginning any exterior work.

Commonly Requested Phone Numbers
City of New Orleans Information Line: (877) 286-6431
Department of Safety and Permits: (504) 658-7130
Historic Districts Landmark Commission: (504) 565-7440
Vieux Carré Commission: (504) 528-3950
City Planning Commission: (504) 658-7000
Neighborhood One: (504) 658-4200
FEMA: (800) 621-FEMA (3362)
Department of Housing and Urban
Development: (888) 297-8685

GREEN INFO SHEET- structure does not need to be raised
1. determine what repairs will need to be made by consulting with a licensed contractor, electrician, plumber, etc
2. take the necessary steps to restore utilities to the property
3. make sure the necessary permits are obtained (either by contractor or by Homeowner) before the repairs are made
Please Note: All Permit fees are being waived for permits applied for online or via fax through March 31, 2006.

PERMITTING
The City of New Orleans has streamlined our permitting requirements in order to expedite the recovery process. Most permits can be issued online or over the counter at the Safety and Permits offices. Permit requirements will be based on where the property is located and the damage it sustained from the storms. Each structure has been or will be reviewed by Safety & Permits officials to determine the level of damage. You may currently obtain the damage assessment report for your property online at

Only registered users can see links on this forum! Register or Login on forum!

Work that DOES require permits:
- Sheetrock
- Exterior doors
- Replacement of exterior windows
- Cabinets
- Structural issues
Work that DOES NOT require permits:
- Fences
- Interior and exterior painting
- Porches and steps
- Flooring
- Weather boards
- Facia and downspouts
- Window panes
(if property is in a historic district or in the Vieux Carré, please consult the neighborhood association, HDLC or Vieux Carré to determine what permits are required for repairs in your area)

DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR OBTAINING PERMITS
Applicants must furnish the following information (where applicable) when they apply for a building permit. The permit may not be processed until all information is obtained:
- Municipal address (Multi family units may be listed under the secondary address)
- Valuation (at-market price of materials and labor as if work were contracted, even if you are doing the work yourself)
- Owner’s name, address and telephone number
- Architect’s and/or contractor’s name address and telephone number (where applicable)
- Recorded act-of-sale (if the property recently changed ownership)
- Detailed description of the work to be performed
- Plot plan reflecting all dimensions of the structures on the lot, the setbacks to property lines and the location of off-street parking. If an addition is proposed, the square footages of the existing structure and proposed addition are also required.
- Previous use and/or the existing use of the property and the proposed use
- Number of floors (levels) in the existing structure; number of floors in the proposed structure
- Number of units in the existing structure, number of units in the proposed structure
- VCC permit of HDLC Certificate of appropriateness for exterior work (if applicable)
- Benchmark certificate (for new construction and additions of 50% or greater than the existing structure)
- Contractor Registration Number
- Check payable to the City of New Orleans

BUILDING PERMIT FEES
1. Permit fees for work requiring building permits, except for removal or demolition: $50.00 plus $5.00 per $1,000.00 or fraction there of construction value.* *A penalty of 200% of all fees in addition to the required permit fee is assessed to all projects commenced without the necessary building permit.
2. The plan review fee is charged when plans are required and submitted with an application for a building permit. This is determined as one-tenth of 1% of the total valuation of all construction work. There shall be a minimum fee of $50.00 for this review. When plans are submitted for re-review, the fee is determined as one twentieth of 1% of the total valuation of all construction work. There shall be a minimum fee of $35.00 and a maximum of $5,000.00 per application for re-review.
3. Fee for removal or demolition:
$75.00 plus $5.00 for each $1,000.00 of demolition cost.**
Example: $1,725.00 $75.00 + ($5.00 X 2) = $85.00.
**A penalty of 500% of all fees in addition to the required permit fee is assessed to any project commenced without the necessary demolition permit.
4. When a commercial project is done in phases & prior approval is granted by the Building Official a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy can be obtained for partial of the project. A fee of $50.00 for each residential unit, tenant space or phase and $100.00 for each commercial unit, tenant space, or phase is required for the processing of a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy.
5. For properties located within the boundaries of the area regulated by the Historic Districts Landmark Commission and Vieux Carré Commission. A 50% surcharge is added by the department on permit fees, plan review fees, and demolition fees.

PURPLE INFO SHEET- demolish existing structure and rebuild
Before deciding if a structure should be elevated or demolished and rebuilt, a licensed contractor and/or Structural Engineer should be consulted to determine if the foundation of the house is damaged. If the foundation is not damaged it will most likely be more cost effective to re-use it and elevate the existing structure. If the foundation is damaged, the structure will most likely need to be demolished.
Steps to Elevate an Existing Structure
1. Inquire about Increased Cost of Compliance or Flood Mitigation Assistance to help with the elevation costs (see Yellow Info Sheet)
2. File for a Demolition Permit at the Safety and Permits offices (1300 Perdido St., 7E05, 504-658-7130). Demolition Permits cannot be obtained online.
a. Items you will need to obtain a Demolition Permit (please bring these with you to the Safety and Permits Office)
i. Photos of the structure from all 4 sides
ii. Municipal address of the property (if Mulit-Family unit you will need all
addresses that apply)
iii. Owners name and drivers license
iv. Record of Act of Sale if the property changed ownership in the past 12
months.
3. Contact construction companies who specialize in demolition. You may also want to contact your neighborhood civic association to see if group discounts are being offered to residents in your area by certain construction companies.
4. You will need to verify whether you are in a Historic District. If you are, you will need to obtain a permit from the HDLC. Any houses located in the Housing Conservation area will require a hearing with the Housing Conservation Demolition Review Committee, which meets once a month at City Hall.
5. Helpful hints:
a. Check the references of any company you are considering working with
b. Get multiple bids
c. Consult the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to check the standing of any company
you are considering working with
d. Make sure all utilities are disconnected before demolition begins
6. Permits that will need to be obtained:
a. Demolition permit
Fee for removal or demolition:
$75.00 plus $5.00 for each $1,000.00 of demolition cost.**
Example: $1,725.00 $75.00 + ($5.00 X 2) = $85.00.
**A penalty of 500% of all fees in addition to the required permit fee is assessed to any project
commenced without the necessary demolition permit.

PINK INFO SHEET- Reading an Elevation Survey
1. Your Elevation Survey will list several different elevation levels of your structure.
a. The property will be considered Below Base Flood Elevation if the
elevation of the “Top of bottom floor” measurement is less than the Base
Flood Elevation.
b. The “Lowest elevation of machinery and/or equipment servicing the
building” is also an important number and if it is below the Base Flood
Elevation some repairs may be necessary.
2. Other tips on reading an Elevation Survey
a. Review the Elevation Requirement in Section B
b. Review the Number in Section C field A to find your lowest floor
elevation.
c. If the number in Section C field A is the same or higher than the required
elevation in Section B, you are at the appropriate level to begin
renovations. (If your requirement is -2.5, and your elevation is a -1.5,
you are able to obtain a permit and begin work.)
d. PLEASE NOTE: When dealing with negative numbers, the lower the the
number value the higher the elevation. (Example -1.5 is a HIGHER
ELEVATION than -2.5.)
3. If only portions of your home are below the Base Flood Elevation and feel that
the entire structure does not need to be elevated to make the property
compliant, you may have other options and should discuss your individual
situation with the Permits office.

YELLOW INFO SHEET- Increased Cost of Compliance and Flood Mitigation Assistance
If you DO have Flood Insurance:
INCREASED COST OF COMPLIANCE
If you have Flood Insurance you may qualify for Increased Cost of Compliance Assistance to help with the costs of bringing the property to help cover the costs of meeting the required elevation level. Flood insurance policyholders in high-risk areas can get up to $30,000 to help pay the costs to bring their home or business into compliance with their community's floodplain ordinance. Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) is a part of National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies. It pays “up to $30,000” for elevation costs when flooding causes Substantial Damage and the local ordinance mandates elevation in the rebuilding. ICC is not grant money, it is an insurance payment that policy holders paid for through their premiums. You may file a claim for your Increased Cost of Compliance coverage if the City of New Orleans determines that your home or business is damaged by flood to the point that repairs will cost 50 percent or more of the building's pre-damage market value. To find out if you qualify for this program, you will need to determine whether your property was Substantially Damaged, and if so, complete an Increase Cost of Compliance Request Form.
You can download the form at

Only registered users can see links on this forum! Register or Login on forum!

or pick one up at the Safety and Permits Office (1300 Perdido, Suite 7E05, 504-658-7130).
You will need to visit the Office of Safety and Permits in City Hall on the 8th floor, and meet with city inspectors. Please come prepared with pictures of general interior and exterior conditions of the relative property will need to be submitted with the completed form when you visit the Department of Safety and Permits.
If you DO NOT have Flood Insurance:
FLOOD MITIGATION ASSISTANCE
If you do not have Flood Insurance, FEMA may be able to provide Flood Mitigation Assistance. Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) is a grant program funded by FEMA funded, but administered by the state. The state accepts applications from the parishes on behalf of property owners. Owners can not apply directly to FEMA for Flood Mitigation Assistance. To find out more contact The Louisiana Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.