Bike and Pediestrian Plans
Vision of the Plan
"To promote the City of Lake Charles as a bicycle and pedestrian-friendly environment by providing a variety of convenient, safe and attractive transportation choices."

 

Master Plan Adopted by City Council June 6, 2012: 

 
 
 

Recommendations for proposed routes
 
 
     (These requirements are to be submitted along with one of the below subdivision applications)
 
     (This application is to be submitted when infrastructure is included within a request.)
 
     (This application is to be submitted when infrastructure is not included - all proposed lots will have existing street frontage.) 
 
ATTN:  BUILDERS AND DEVELOPERS -
BELOW ARE DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. POSTAL SERVICE REGARDING MAIL RECEPTACLE DESIGN STANDARDS

City of Lake Charles Map Information Services

The City of Lake Charles joined the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) on October 16, 1979, with the adoption of its floodplain management ordinance, Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Floodway Maps. The information on the flood insurance rate maps was obtained from the studies prepared by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers under contract with FEMA. The NFIP requires each local government to join the flood insurance program by adoption of the flood hazard rate maps and an ordinance to guide development within the mapped floodplains.

Click here for a .pdf version of the City of Lake Charles Floodplain Management Regulations.

The City of Lake Charles became a participant of the Community Rating System in 2004 by obtaining a Class 9 rating, which gives the citizens a discount on their flood insurance premium. We save on an average of $200,000.00 each year for citizens due to our participation in the Community Rating System.

Click here to read more about City of Lake Charles Map Information Services.

Know Your Zone
Elevation Requirements of the NFIP
 
Please be aware of what flood zone your property is within. Perhaps you are preparing to build from the ground up, add a bedroom or simply remodel. If your property is within a Special Hazard Area, i.e. Flood Zone A or AE, there are specific guidelines which you and/or your contractor must follow.
 
 
Elevation requirements apply to more than simply the finished floor elevation. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is designed to protect structures and their necessary appurtenances, such as utilities and electrical equipment. In all A Zones (A and AE), regulations require that the top of a structure's lowest floor be elevated to or above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). Copies of elevation certificates regarding permits on file can be obtained from the Office of Zoning and Land Use, located on the 7th floor of City Hall.
 
To find out more about the National Flood Insurance Program, what zone your property may be designated in or should you have flood insurance questions, you can contact your local floodplain manager at the Office of Zoning and Land Use.
 
 
 
 
Information about the Federal Emergency Management Agency
 
Information about Daily Stream Flow Conditions provided by USGS
 
Lake Charles Area Flood Map
New Flood Insurance Rate Maps effective February 18, 2011.

Calcasieu Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2020

Hazard Mitigation is defined as sustained actions taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk from hazards and their effects.  Hazard Mitigation Planning is the process through which natural hazards that threaten communities are identified, likely impacts of those hazards are determined, mitigation goals are set, and appropriate strategies that would lessen the impacts are determined, prioritized, and implemented.

In that regard, this plan (a) documents the Calcasieu Parish Hazard Mitigation Plan Update process; (b) identifies natural hazards and risks within the parish; and (c) identifies the parish's hazard mitigation strategy to make Calcasieu Parish less vulnerable and more disaster resistant.  It also includes mitigation project scoping to further identify scopes of work, estimated costs, and implementation timing requirements of proposed selected mitigation projects.  Information in the plan will be used to help guide and coordinate mitigation activities and local policy decisions affecting future land use.

The Calcasieu Parish Hazard Mitigation Plan is a multi-jurisdictional plan that includes the following jurisdictions which participated in the planning process:  City of Lake Charles, City of DeQuincy, City of Sulphur, City of Westlake, Town of Iowa, Town of Vinton.

Click here to download the Calcasieu Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2020.

The Lake Charles Historic Preservation Commission reviews and considers design guideline standards, as well as, requests for variances, exceptions, and conditional use permits within the established historic districts. Lake Charles Historic Preservation Meetings are held on the 3rd Monday of each month (unless otherwise noted) at 5:00P.M. on the 1st Floor (City Council Chambers) of City Hall.

Commissioners:
Charla Blake
Antria Mouton
Joel Davidson
Lauren Granger
Jeff Kudla


Alternates:
Peyton Pawlicki 

Historic Preservation Commission Applicant Checklist; Tool Kit; and Application for Public Hearing
    (Submittal requirements and Application for Public Hearing pertaining to Certificates of Appropriateness; Variances; Special Exceptions; Conditional Use Permits within a Historic District)
 
 
 
 
 
The Planning and Zoning Commission reviews and considers Subdivision Plats, Re-zoning Requests, Comprehensive Plan Amendments, Conditional Use Permits, Special Exceptions and Variances.

Lake Charles Planning & Zoning Commission meetings are held on the 2nd Monday of each month (unless otherwise noted) at 5:00P.M. on the 1st Floor (City Council Chambers) of City Hall.
 
Commissioners:
David Berryhill
Alvin Joseph 
Adam McBride 
Gus Schram III
Reginald Weeks
 
Alternates:
Thomas Sanders, Jr.
M. Gregory Pete
APPLICATIONS/SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS TO GO BEFORE LAKE CHARLES PLANNING COMMISSION
     (These requirements pertaining to applications made for Variances; Special Exceptions; Major Conditional Permits/Planned Developments are to be submitted along with the Application for Public Hearing or Variance Application Form)

     (This form is to be submitted with applications pertaining to Special Exceptions; Major Conditional Use Permit/Planned Developments; Re-Zoning Requests)

     (These requirements are to be submitted along with one of the below subdivision applications)

     (This application is to be submitted when infrastructure is included within a request.)

     (This application is to be submitted when infrastructure is not included - all proposed lots will have existing street frontage.)
ATTN:  BUILDERS AND DEVELOPERS -
BELOW ARE DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. POSTAL SERVICE REGARDING MAIL RECEPTACLE DESIGN STANDARDS

 APPLICATIONS/SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS TO GO BEFORE LAKE CHARLES PLANNING COMMISSION

     (These requirements pertaining to applications made for Variances; Special Exceptions; Major Conditional Permits/Planned Developments are to be submitted along with the Application for Public Hearing or Variance Application Form)

     (This form is to be submitted with applications pertaining to Variances; Special Exceptions; Major Conditional Use Permit/Planned Developments; Re-Zoning Requests)

     (These requirements are to be submitted along with one of the below subdivision applications)

     (This application is to be submitted when infrastructure is included within a request.)

     (This application is to be submitted when infrastructure is not included - all proposed lots will have existing street frontage.)
(This application is to be submitted when applying for an Occupational License in order to utilize a property as any short-term rental; ex: Airbnb, Vrbo, etc.)

 MINOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APPLICATIONS

     (Items 1-4 of the Submittal Requirements are to be submitted along with the Application for Public Hearing)

     (This form is to be submitted along with Submittal Requirements)

(Application and submittal requirements to be submitted to Planning Department.)

(Application and submittal requirements to be submitted to Planning Department.)