Louisiana Demolition Licensing Law

Louisiana Code · 3 sections

The following is the full text of Louisiana’s demolition licensing law statutes as published in the Louisiana Code. For the official version, see the Louisiana Legislature.

La. R.S. 37:2150.1

§2150.1. Definitions

As used in this Chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:

(1) "Board" means the State Licensing Board for Contractors.

(2) "Commercial" means any construction project except residential structures intended to be primarily occupied as a residence with no more than two separate dwelling units incorporated into one structure.

(3) "Contract" means an agreement to perform a scope of work that is regulated by this Chapter. The project value includes the entire cost of the labor, materials, rentals, and all direct and indirect project expenses. The cost of materials, rentals, and direct and indirect expenses shall be included regardless of who pays the costs or if they are donated. The "principal contract" is the agreement to perform the entire scope of work for a construction project.

(4)(a) "Contractor" means any person who undertakes to, attempts to, or submits a price or bid or offers to construct, supervise, superintend, oversee, direct, perform, or in any manner assume charge of the construction, alteration, repair, improvement, movement, demolition, putting up, tearing down, furnishing labor, or furnishing labor together with material or equipment, or installing material or equipment for any of the following:

(i) Any building, highway, road, railroad, sewer, grading, excavation, pipeline, public utility structure, project development, housing, or housing development, improvement, or any other construction undertaking for which the project value is fifty thousand dollars or more when the property is to be used for commercial purposes.

(ii) Any new residential structure for which the project value is fifty thousand dollars or more when the property is used for residential purposes.

(iii) Any improvements or repairs to an existing residential structure for which the project value is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more.

(iv) Any mold remediation for which the project value is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more.

(b) The term "contractor" includes persons who receive an additional fee for the employment or direction of labor, or any other work beyond the normal architectural or engineering services.

(c) A contractor holding a license in the major classification of hazardous materials, or any subclassifications thereunder, is defined in terms of work performed for which the project value is one dollar or more.

(d) "Contractor" does not mean any person, supplier, manufacturer, or employee of such person who assembles, repairs, maintains, moves, puts up, tears down, or disassembles any patented or proprietary equipment supplied by such person to a contractor to be used solely by the contractor for a construction undertaking. "Proprietary" means specific and specialized equipment installation, manufacturing processes, used, or components that are protected from disclosure to third parties by the owner or manufacturer of the equipment.

(5) "Controlled access" means the complete building or facility area under direct physical control within which an unauthorized person is denied access.

(6) "Electrical contractor" means any person who undertakes to, attempts to, or submits a price or bid or offers to construct, supervise, superintend, oversee, direct, perform, or in any manner assume charge of the construction, alteration, repair, improvement, movement, demolition, putting up, tearing down, or furnishing labor together with material and equipment, or installing the same for the wiring, fixtures, or appliances for the supply of electricity to any residential, commercial, or other project, for which the project value is ten thousand dollars or more. This Paragraph is not deemed or construed to limit the authority of a contractor, general contractor, or residential contractor, as those terms are defined in this Section, nor to require such individuals to become an electrical contractor.

(7) "Employee" means a worker whose employer deducts taxes from his wages and reports his annual earnings to the Internal Revenue Service using a W-2 form.

(8) "Executive director" means the person appointed by the board to serve as the chief operating officer in connection with the day-to-day operation of the board's business. The executive director is the appointing authority for all employees of the board.

(9)(a) "General contractor" means a person who contracts directly with the owner. The term "general contractor" includes the term "primary contractor" and wherever used in this Chapter or in regulations promulgated thereunder "primary contractor" means "general contractor".

(b) "General contractor" does not mean any person, supplier, manufacturer, or employee of such person who assembles, repairs, maintains, moves, puts up, tears down, or disassembles any patented or proprietary equipment supplied by such person to a contractor to be used solely by the contractor for a construction undertaking.

(10) "Home improvement" means the reconstruction, alteration, renovation, repair, modernization, conversion, improvement, removal, or demolition, or the construction of an addition to any preexisting residential structure which building is used or designed to be used as a residence or dwelling unit, or to structures which are adjacent to such residence or building for which the project value is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more. "Home improvement" does not include services rendered gratuitously.

(11) "Home improvement contractor" means any person who undertakes or attempts to undertake or submits a price or bid or offers to construct, supervise, superintend, oversee, direct, perform, or in any manner assume charge of a home improvement project for which the project value is at least seven thousand five hundred dollars but less than fifty thousand dollars. A home improvement contractor shall not perform any structural work that is integral to the structural integrity of any new or existing structure, including but not limited to footings, foundations, outside walls, skeleton, bearing columns and interior load bearing walls, floor slabs, or roofing systems to any type.

(12) "License" means any form of license or registration the board is authorized to issue in accordance with this Chapter.

(13) "Mechanical contractor" means any person who undertakes to, attempts to, or submits a price or bid or offers to construct, supervise, superintend, oversee, direct, perform, or in any manner assume charge of the construction, alteration, repair, improvement, movement, demolition, putting up, tearing down, or furnishing labor, or furnishing labor together with material and equipment, or installing the same for the construction, installation, maintenance, testing, and repair of air conditioning, refrigeration, heating systems, and plumbing for all residential, commercial, and industrial applications as well as ventilation systems, mechanical work controls, boilers and other pressure vessels, steam and hot water systems and piping, gas piping and fuel storage, and chilled water and condensing water systems and piping, including but not limited to any type of industrial process piping and related valves, fittings, and components, for which the project value is ten thousand dollars or more. This Paragraph is not deemed or construed to limit the authority of a contractor, general contractor, or residential contractor, as those terms are defined in this Section, nor to require such individuals to become a mechanical contractor.

(14) "Mold remediation contractor" means any person who engages in removal, cleaning, sanitizing, demolition, or other treatment, including preventative activities, of mold or mold-contaminated matter that was not purposely grown at that location for which the project value is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more. Mold remediation applies only to the regulation of mold-related activities that affect indoor air quality and does not apply to routine cleaning when not conducted for the purpose of mold-related activities intended to affect indoor air quality.

(15) "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, association, cooperative, corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or any other entity recognized by Louisiana law; and whether or not acting as a principal, trustee, fiduciary, receiver, or as any other kind of legal or personal representative, or as a successor in interest, assignee, agent, factor, servant, employee, director, officer, or any other representative of such person; or any state or local governing authority or political subdivision.

(16) "Plumbing contractor" means any person who installs, maintains, and repairs potable and nonpotable tap water or sewer systems within a building structure or residential structure for which the project value is ten thousand dollars or more.

(17) "Principal" means an owner, shareholder, or an officer or director of a corporation; a member or manager of a limited liability company; a general partner of a partnership; a sole proprietor; a trustee; or a full-time employee with similar operational control or significant influence with respect to any person as determined by the board.

(18) "Qualifying party" means a natural person designated by the contractor to represent the contractor for the purpose of complying with the provisions of this Chapter including but not limited to meeting the requirements for the initial license and any continuation thereof.

(19)(a) "Residential contractor" means any person who constructs a fixed building or structure for sale or use by another as a residence or who, for a price, commission, fee, wage, or other compensation, undertakes or offers to undertake the construction or superintending of the construction of any residential structure which is not more than three floors in height, to be used by another as a residence, for which the project value is fifty thousand dollars or more. The term "residential contractor" includes all persons who receive an additional fee for the employment or direction of labor, or any other work beyond the normal architectural or engineering services.

(b) "Residential contractor" includes both of the following:

(i) Any person bidding or performing home improvement for which the project value is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more.

(ii) Any person performing the installation of a modular home with a value equal to or greater than fifty thousand dollars for which the total project value shall not include the cost of the component parts of the modular home in the condition each part leaves the factory pursuant to R.S. 40:1730.71.

(c) "Residential contractor" does not include any person engaged in building residential structures that are built to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's construction standards for manufactured housing as outlined at 42 U.S.C. 5401 et seq., or mounted on a metal chassis and wheels.

(20) "Residential roofing" means the construction, alteration, repair, improvement, demolition, putting up, tearing down, furnishing labor, or furnishing labor together with materials or equipment, or the installation of materials or equipment for any phase of roofing specific to a residential structure for which the project value is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more.

(21) "Residential roofing contractor" means any person who undertakes to, attempts to, or submits a price or bid, or offers to construct, supervise, superintend, oversee, direct, perform, or in any manner assume charge of a residential roofing project for which the project value is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more.

(22) "Residential structure" means a building or structure that is used primarily for occupancy by a person as a residence. Such structures or buildings include but are not limited to single family dwellings and duplexes which are not more than three floors in height and structures that are part of or adjacent to the building or structures to be used as a residence. A residential structure more than three floors in height may be built by a person holding a building construction and residential construction license.

(23) "Subcontract" means an agreement to perform a portion of the scope of work contained in the principal contract including the entire cost of labor and materials of that part of the principal contract which is performed by the subcontractor.

(24)(a) "Subcontractor" means a person who contracts to perform a scope of work that is a part of the scope of work contained in the principal contract.

(b) "Subcontractor" does not include any person, supplier, or manufacturer who assembles, repairs, maintains, moves, puts up, tears down, or disassembles any patented or proprietary equipment supplied by such person to a contractor to be used solely by the contractor for a construction undertaking.

Acts 1992, No. 681, §1, eff. July 6, 1992; Acts 1995, No. 638, §1, eff. Feb. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 146, §1; Acts 1997, No. 770, §1; Acts 2003, No. 643, §1; Acts 2003, No. 1146, §2; Acts 2007, No. 398, §1; Acts 2008, No. 725, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2009; Acts 2019, No. 371, §1; Acts 2022, No. 195, §1; Acts 2024, No. 178, §1; Acts 2025, No. 422, §1.

La. R.S. 37:2157

§2157. Exemptions

A. The provisions of this Part shall not apply to any of the following:

(1) Any public utility providing gas, electric, or telephone service which is subject to regulation by the Louisiana Public Service Commission or the council of the city of New Orleans, or to any work performed by the public utility in furnishing its authorized service.

(2) Owners of property who supervise, superintend, oversee, direct, or in any manner assume charge of the construction, alteration, repair, improvement, movement, demolition, putting up, tearing down, or maintenance of any building, railroad excavation, project, development, improvement, plant facility, or any other construction undertaking, on that property, for use by the owner, and which will not be for sale or rent, and the control of access to which shall be controlled by the owner so that only employees and nonpublic invitees are allowed access.

(3) Any person donating labor and services for the supervision and construction of or for the maintenance and repair of a building dedicated to worship owned by a legally established church. An affidavit of exemption shall be provided to obtain the building permit on a form provided by the board.

(4) Any farmer doing construction for agricultural purposes on leased or owned land.

(5) Any person bidding or performing work on any project totally owned by the federal government.

(6) Any person engaged in rail or pipeline construction activities performed on property he owns or leases.

(7) Any person volunteering labor for the construction of a project which is funded by the Louisiana Community Development Block Grant, Louisiana Small Towns Environment Program.

(8) Any person, supplier, or manufacturer who assembles, repairs, maintains, moves, puts up, tears down, or disassembles any patented or proprietary equipment supplied to a contractor to be used solely for a construction project.

(9) The manufactured housing industry or any person engaged in any type of service, warranty, repair, or home improvement work on factory-built, residential dwellings that are mounted on chassis and wheels.

(10) Any person bidding or performing work on any project paid for by monies from the Oilfield Site Restoration Fund or Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

(11) Any work covering dewatering or water mitigation.

(12) Any employee of any licensee.

(13) Owners of property who supervise, superintend, oversee, direct, or in any manner assume charge of the construction, alteration, repair, improvement, movement, demolition, putting up, tearing down, or maintenance of their personal residences, if the homeowner does not build more than one residence per year. The one-year period shall commence on the date of issuance of the certificate of occupancy. However, an owner of property may build more than one single-family dwelling in a one-year period if the construction of an additional residence occurs as a result of a change in the legal marital status of the owner or change in the employment status of the owner whereby the owner must relocate to another employment location, which is located in excess of fifty miles from his personal residence. An affidavit of exemption shall be provided to obtain the building permit on a form provided by the board.

(14) Persons performing the work of a residential contractor in areas or municipalities that do not have a permitting procedure.

(15) The following persons are exempt from home improvement licensure:

(a) A residential property owner who physically performs the home improvement work on his personal residence.

(b) Persons licensed as a building construction contractor or residential contractor.

(i) Landscaping.

(ii) Interior painting or wall covering.

(16) The following persons are exempt from mold remediation licensure:

(a) A residential property owner who performs mold remediation on his own property.

(b) An owner or tenant, or a managing agent or employee of an owner or tenant, who performs mold remediation on property owned or leased by the owner or tenant. This exemption does not apply if the managing agent or employee engages in the business of performing mold remediation for the public.

(17) Any person performing work as a subcontractor for a residential construction license holder, except for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, mold remediation, asbestos, or hazardous materials scopes of work.

(18) Any person performing home improvement work for a building construction license holder, except for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, mold remediation, asbestos, or hazardous material scopes of work.

(19) Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing licensees who are acting exclusively within the scope of their classification.

B. The provisions of this Section shall not be construed to waive local and state health and life safety code requirements.

Added by Acts 1956, No. 233, §7. Amended by Acts 1962, No. 184, §1; Acts 1964, No. 113, §7; Acts 1966, No. 292, §1; Acts 1968, No. 212, §1; Acts 1976, No. 377, §1; Acts 1979, No. 544, §1; Acts 1979, No. 782, §1; Acts 1980, No. 606, §1, eff. July 23, 1980; Acts 1981, No. 668, §1; Acts 1982, No. 832, §1; Acts 1985, No. 982, §1; Acts 1988, No. 635, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1989, No. 559, §1; Acts 1992, No. 681, §1, eff. July 6, 1992; Acts 2000, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 21, §1; Acts 2003, No. 643, §1; Acts 2003, No. 902, §1; Acts 2003, No. 1146, §2; Acts 2011, No. 107, §2; Acts 2019, No. 371, §1; Acts 2020, No. 242, §2; Acts 2022, No. 195, §1; Acts 2024, No. 178, §1; Acts 2025, No. 422, §1.

La. R.S. 37:2158

§2158. Revocation and suspension of licenses; issuance of cease and desist orders; debarment; violations; penalty; criminal penalty

A. No person may engage in the business of contracting, or act as a contractor as defined in this Chapter, unless he holds an active license as a contractor in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter. The board and residential subcommittee may revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew a license; issue cease and desist orders to stop work; issue fines and penalties; or debar any person licensed pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter for any of the following violations:

(1) Undertaking, attempting to, or submitting a price or bid; offering to construct, supervise, superintend, oversee, direct, or in any manner assume charge of the construction, alteration, repair, improvement, movement, demolition, putting up, tearing down; furnishing labor or furnishing labor together with material or equipment; or installing material or equipment for any building, highway, road, railroad, sewer grading, excavation, pipeline, public utility structure, project development, housing, or housing development, improvement, or any other construction undertaking without possessing a license for which a license is required or without possessing a license with the proper classification.

(2) Publishing, transmitting, distributing, or otherwise publicly circulating a misleading or false claim related to a person's license status or classification in any medium, including but not limited to digital platforms.

(3) Any dishonest or fraudulent act as a contractor which has caused damage to another, as adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(4) Bidding on, quoting, estimating, or performing a job for which a license is required, the licensee shall hold the classification for the majority of work performed.

(5) Misrepresentation of fact by an applicant in obtaining a license; misrepresentation of fact by an applicant or licensee in providing information, statements, or documents to the staff or board; deception by omission; and providing false testimony to the board.

(6) Failure to comply with the provisions of this Chapter or the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

(7) Entering into a contract with an unlicensed contractor involving work or activity for the performance of which a license is required by this Chapter.

(8)(a) Permitting a license to be used for any purpose by any person other than the person to whom the license is issued.

(b) Misrepresentation or fraudulent use of a license for any purpose by any person other than the person to whom the license is issued.

(9) Failure to maintain a qualifying party to represent the licensee.

(10) Failure to continue to fulfill any of the requirements for licensure.

(11) Problems relating to the ability of the contractor, its qualifying party, or any of its principals to engage in the business of contracting.

(12) Disqualification or debarment by any public entity.

(13)(a) Failure to provide written notification to the board of any change to the information provided in the original application and any amendments thereto within thirty calendar days.

(b) Failure to provide written notification to the board of a criminal, civil, or administrative action instituted or pending in another jurisdiction against or involving the licensee or a principal of the licensee within thirty days.

(14) Assisting a person to circumvent the provisions of this Chapter.

(15) Failure of a contractor performing residential construction, home improvement, or mold remediation in accordance with this Chapter to provide, in writing to the party with whom he has contracted to perform services, his name, license number, classification, and current insurance certificates evidencing the amount of liability insurance maintained and proof of workers' compensation coverage when requested by the contracting party for whom the work is to be performed.

(16) Abandoning or failing to perform, without justification, any contract or project engaged in or undertaken by any licensee or deviating from or disregarding plans or specifications in any material respect without the consent of the owner and the design professional.

(17) Efforts to deceive or defraud the public.

(18) Failure to obtain a permit to perform work or beginning work prior to the issuance of a permit in the jurisdiction as required or misrepresenting the value or scope of work.

(19) Failure to obtain inspections as required by law.

(20) Failure to have a written contract signed and dated by all parties.

(21) Failure to bid, contract, or perform work in the name as it appears on the current license or registration and the official records of the board.

(22) Failure to maintain and provide to the board requested records, documents, and other information as required within five business days of receipt of request.

(23) It is a violation for a mold remediation contractor to:

(a) Fail to provide a written report to each person for whom he performs such services for compensation.

(b) Render, submit, subscribe, or verify false, deceptive, misleading or unfounded opinions or reports.

(d) Own an interest in both the entity which performs mold assessment services and the entity which performs mold remediation services on the same property.

B.(1) In determining the value of a project, any division of a contract or scope of work into parts which would avoid the necessity of a license to bid, contract, or perform the work will be disregarded, and the divided parts of the contract or scope of work will be treated as one contract or scope of work for purposes of determining whether a license is required.

(2) For the purpose of determining a scope of work, the board shall review whether the contract or contracts in question constitute a single scope of work or whether they constitute separate scopes of work. The board may be guided in this interpretation by a review of the drawings, plot plans, blueprints, architectural plans, site maps, technical drawings, engineering designs, sketches, diagrams, black lines, blue lines, drafts, or other renderings depicting the total scope of work.

C. In the event of a revocation of a license or a qualifying party status, the person or qualifying party shall be ineligible to apply for a license or qualifying party status for three years following the revocation.

D. The board may refuse to license any entity that has been debarred pursuant to R.S. 39:1672. Further, the board may hold a hearing for any licensee debarred pursuant to R.S. 39:1672 and suspend or revoke a license, order the licensee to discontinue all work on a construction project, or further debar a person or licensee from bidding on projects for any public entity for up to three years.

E. Any party to the proceeding who is aggrieved by the action of the board may appeal the decision in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, R.S. 49:950 et seq.

F. In accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, R.S. 49:950 et seq., any person who applies for and is denied a license by the board, or whose license has been revoked, rescinded, or suspended, may appeal to the Nineteenth Judicial District Court in and for the parish of East Baton Rouge to determine whether the board has abused its discretion.

Added by Acts 1956, No. 113, §8. Amended by Acts 1964, No. 113, §8; Acts 1992, No. 681, §1, eff. July 6, 1992; Acts 1997, No. 773, §1; Acts 2009, No. 156, §1; Acts 2012, No. 163, §1; Acts 2019, No. 371, §1; Acts 2022, No. 195, §1; Acts 2025, No. 422, §1.

The law belongs to the people. Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 590 U.S. (2020)