Calcasieu Parish Code Enforcement – Industrial Zoning

Note: This is the sixth article in a series on code enforcement in Calcasieu Parish. This article highlights industrial zoning districts. Remember that code enforcement is not law enforcement. There are items in our code of ordinances that may involve law enforcement, but this blog will focus on the “other” things.

If you’re on my email list or if you follow me on Facebook, you’ve likely seen the agendas I share prior to Calcasieu Parish Planning & Zoning board meetings. This board regularly reviews requests for re-zoning or requests for variances within an existing zone. These may be as innocuous as an accessory building being one foot closer to a property line than allowed, but it can also be as big as rezoning an entire tract from industrial to residential or vice versa. 

But how do you know you need a variance…or whether your neighbor does? The Calcasieu Parish Code of Ordinances lays it all out. 

If you’ve got specific questions, I’d suggest contacting the Calcasieu Parish Division of Planning & Development. I’ll cover the basics here, but consider this a brief overview. Always check the code of ordinances or contact the experts at the Division of Planning & Development if you need more information. 

This article focuses on industrial zoning. Check out my other posts on agricultural/residential and commercial zones!

What is zoning...and why do we do it?

Zoning is an effort to create a broad plan and vision for a community. If it’s done well, we can ensure property values are protected and that larger considerations – like drainage for all properties – are correctly managed. 

As with other code enforcement issues, the Calcasieu Parish Division of Planning & Development monitors zoning in unincorporated areas of the parish. Any property that falls within the limits of a city is subject to that municipality’s zoning requirements. That said, there are plenty of areas in Calcasieu Parish where unincorporated areas may be impacted by properties inside a city’s limits. In that case, contact your police juror. We’re happy to help start conversations between parish residents and city officials. 

In Calcasieu Parish, properties may fall into one of several zoning categories and thus be subject to that zone’s restrictions. Click here for an interactive parish map to identify zones relevant to your property, and read on for more.

Industrial Zones

In Calcasieu Parish, we’re familiar with industrial zones! Many of our neighbors work in these zones, and many live near them. But some types of industrial activities require more separation from those outside the facility, so we have multiple industrial zones. 

Still, some standards apply to multiple industrial zone uses. The following is for all Light Industrial and Heavy Industrial zones. Heavy Industrial Restricted and Hazardous Materials Zones are always handled on a case-by-case basis.

• Driveways: These standards are meant to promote safe and efficient access. In some cases, certain development types may require additional driveway frontage. When the requirements differ, the more stringent rule applies. 

  • See Article III, Division 4 for specifics on driveways. 

• Borrow pits and ponds: Those not required as a drainage/runoff feature must have a setback of at least 50 feet from all property lines, right-of-way lines or easements.

• Screening/Fences: These are all subject to Article III, Division 6, which includes guidance on materials, placement and more. Here are a few key points:

  • Abutting lines of differing uses must include a screen at least six feet high. “Differing uses” may include two zoning types meeting, but it may also include things like an RV or manufactured home park next to other residential areas.

  • Acceptable screening materials include wood slats, metal hurricane-type with slats, plant material, earthen berms, walls, or some combination as approved by Calcasieu Parish Planning & Zoning. 

    • When using plants, they must be at least four feet in height at the time of planting, and they must reach their full height within three years.

    • Plants should be selected from an approved list. 

  • Screening material must be properly maintained at all times. 

  
  

I-1: Light Industrial

Along with uses permitted in Zone C-3, Zone I-1 is where you’ll find things like airports, auto assembly facilities, countless types of manufacturing, meat processing, packaging, various types of fabrication facilities, and more. 

Although many manufacturing and fabricating activities occur in I-1, gases are specifically excluded. 

Exceptions may be allowed for residential use, parking lots, solar energy facilities, solid waste sites (excluding sanitary landfills) and workforce housing. If workforce housing is permitted, it must be on a lot at least 5 acres in size.

Zone	Lot Size	Building Height	Density	Setback/Frontage	Buffer Strips/Yards
I-1	Minimum 0.23 acre	Max 100 feet	N/A	See Article III, Division 4 for driveway details.	30 ft (front) 0 ft (side & rear)

I-2: Heavy Industrial

In addition to all uses permitted in I-1, Zone I-2 is where you’ll find more of the “industrial” activity you may expect in Calcasieu Parish. This zone is home to things like petrochemical production, household chemical manufacturing, industrial machinery sales/service, electric utility generating (excluding nuclear energy) and more. 

Exceptions may be allowed for things like residential, parking, and more like what may be allowed in I-1. Also like in I-1, if workforce housing is permitted, it must be placed on a lot at least 5 acres in size. 

Zone	Lot Size	Building Height	Density	Setback/Frontage	Buffer Strips/Yards
I-2	Minimum 0.23 acre	Max 100 feet	N/A	See Article III, Division 4 for driveway details.	30 ft (front) 0 ft (side & rear)

I-2R: Heavy Industrial Restricted

This is where you’ll find things like solid waste disposal sites that aren’t permitted in I-1 or I-2 zones. Uses for sites within this zone must comply with the Louisiana Solid Waste Disposal Regulations and Statewide Order 29-B. 

There are no standards for lot size, floor area or other typical building requirements. In this zone, all requirements are determined on a case-by-case basis through the development and permitting process. 

Zone	Lot Size, Density, Buffer Strips, etc.
I-2R	Specific details for this zone are determined on a case-by-case basis during the development and permitting process.

I-3: Hazardous Industrial

This zone is another with few standard rules. It’s where you’ll find things like nuclear power plants, nuclear disposal sites, hazardous waste facilities and more. The specific uses for this zone may change depending on the State of Louisiana’s Hazardous Waste Management Plan. 

Due to the nature of facilities located in this zone, one standard the parish does set is that a minimum of ⅓ of the total acreage must be reserved as a dedicated buffer zone.

Zone	Buffer Strips	Lot Size, Density, etc.
I-3	1/3 of total acreage	Specific details for this zone are determined on a case-by-case basis during the development and permitting process.

Questions?

Zoning is extremely nuanced – even more so as various exceptions are granted by the Planning & Zoning Board. Please don’t rely on this blog post for specifics, as countless alternatives exist within the Code of Ordinances. 

If you’ve reviewed the code and still aren’t sure about something, contact the Calcasieu Parish Division of Planning and Development. They’ll be glad to help! 

What would you like to know more about?

In this ongoing series, I’ll address various sections of the Calcasieu Parish Code of Ordinances. Have specific questions or topics you’d like to see covered? Let me know!