Notice is hereby given that the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 4:40 p.m., in the Police Jury Meeting Room located on the second floor of the Parish Courthouse, for the purpose of receiving public comments regarding a proposed One Acre Lot Ordinance.

 

All interested persons are invited to attend and be heard.

 

By order of the Avoyelles Parish Police Jury

 

Proposed One Acre Lot Ordinance Amendment

 

Section 1: Title and Applicability

 

1.1. Title. This section shall be known as the “Minimum Lot Size and Area Requirements” for the Avoyelles Parish Subdivision Ordinance.

 

1.2. Applicability. The standards set forth in this section shall apply to all proposed land divisions/subdivisions, creating new lots for residential or non-residential purposes within the jurisdiction of all non-incorporated land which falls under the Avoyelles Parish Subdivision Ordinance.

 

All land previously subdivided, conveyed and recorded with the Avoyelles Parish Clerk of Court before November 12, 2025, shall be exempt from this ordinance.

 

Section 2: Minimum Lot Area and Dimensions

 

2.1. Minimum Lot Area. No lot created within any subdivision shall have a gross area of less than one (1) acre. One acre is defined as forty-three thousand five hundred and sixty (43,560) square feet.

 

2.2. Minimum Lot Dimensions. Each lot shall meet one of the following minimum dimensions:

• Minimum Lot Width: one hundred twenty (120) feet.

• Minimum Lot Depth: one hundred fifty (150) feet.

 

Section 3: Health and Sanitation Requirements

 

3.1. On-Site Sewerage Disposal and Water Supply. Where individual on-site sewerage disposal facilities (septic systems) and/or individual water supply systems (wells) are to be utilized, the minimum lot size specified in Section 2.1 shall apply. Larger areas may be required by the Louisiana Department of Health if soil, topography, or other conditions indicate the necessity for a larger area to ensure adequate separation and safe operation of facilities.

 

3.2. Public Utilities. If connections to public or community water and sewerage systems approved by local municipality or state Health Department are provided, the minimum lot area shall remain one (1) acre unless a separate zoning district with different density standards is applicable.

 

Section 4: Compliance and Variances

 

4.1. Compliance. All lots created through the subdivision process must also comply with the minimum lot size requirements and all other applicable regulations of the ordinance. If the ordinance specifies a larger minimum lot size, the more restrictive requirement shall control.

 

4.2. Variances. The Avoyelles Parish Planning Commission may only grant a variance from these minimum lot size requirements in cases of:

1. Demonstrable exceptional hardship, as provided for by state law and the relevant procedures of this jurisdiction.

2. Land to be subdivided by family to be given to family. Valid family partitions cannot be sold within a period of 2 years.

3. Special cases where the property has an odd configuration or circumstance that would have to allow for certain size lot configuration.

4. Sewer Connectivity: the one-acre requirement only applies to lots using on-site septic systems. If a developer connects the subdivision to a public or private community sewer system, they may be permitted to use significantly smaller lot sizes.

 

Variances shall not be granted if they would result in lots not meeting the minimum requirements for health and safety established by this ordinance.