When it comes to marine construction in Louisiana and Mississippi, getting a pier, boathouse, or bulkhead built is about more than just materials and manpower. It’s about knowing how to navigate a maze of permitting requirements—something many homeowners and developers underestimate. At Lamulle Construction we take a comprehensive, start-to-finish approach to projects, and that includes handling every aspect of the permitting process. It’s a major differentiator in the industry—and a service that saves clients significant time, money, and stress.
In this article, we’ll break down what goes into marine construction permitting, why Lamulle Construction includes it in our process (when many competitors don’t), and how our expertise makes the difference between a stalled project and a successful waterfront upgrade.
The Permitting Maze: What Most People Don’t Know
Permits are required for virtually all marine construction projects—from docks and piers to seawalls, walkways, and boathouses. Each state, parish, city, or environmental zone has its own rules. The agencies involved range from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to local zoning boards, and they don’t always play nicely together.
In Louisiana, the process usually starts with a Coastal Use Permit (CUP). But that’s just the beginning. From there, applications are automatically forwarded to a host of other agencies—such as Scenic Rivers, the local parish or city, and sometimes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
In Mississippi, it starts with the Department of Marine Resources (DMR). They coordinate with their own Corps branch and pass the project down the permitting chain—from county to city depending on the property’s location. Every layer adds its own requirements, forms, and approval times.
The differences between states are stark. For example, bulkhead construction in Louisiana may not require a permit in some areas, while Mississippi always requires one. Even repair work is viewed differently depending on jurisdiction.
Red Tape, Red Flags, and Real Delays
Permitting is not just paperwork—it’s a make-or-break step in project timelines. A scenic rivers permit in Louisiana, for example, requires three separate public notices across two publications. That alone can extend timelines by 4–6 months.
Other common red flags that cause delays include project placement issues (such as being too close to a property line or over wetland zones), structural size violations (like a roof covering more than 2,000 square feet over water in Mississippi), and incomplete or incorrect information provided to agencies.
Sometimes a single permit requires a site visit from a botanist or biologist. One project in Covington, Louisiana, located in the Flower Estates area, required coordination with the Corps of Engineers and environmental experts due to shoreline sensitivity. Lamulle Construction didn’t just submit paperwork—we facilitated the site visit, coordinated communication, and kept the client updated at every step. This level of hands-on involvement is rare in the industry.
Why Permitting Is a Hidden Pain Point for Most Clients
Most marine contractors don’t include permitting. Instead, they pass that responsibility to the homeowner or refer them to a third-party permitting company. These companies charge between $3,000 and $12,000 just to handle the paperwork—and they still expect the homeowner to gather the necessary documentation.
Lamulle Construction takes a different approach. Permitting is baked into their service, and the client is guided through every requirement. Clients typically need to provide a deed to the property (with court minutes if in Louisiana), a property survey, proof of tax payment (in Mississippi), and site photos and general project plans.
Once the documentation is requested, clients receive a personalized checklist via email and support acquiring documents if needed. Jacob Lamulle, who personally oversees permitting, often communicates with agencies directly and has cultivated relationships that help smooth out inevitable bumps in the process.
Lamulle Construction’s Step-by-Step Permitting Process
While every project is unique, the general permitting journey with Lamulle Construction looks like this:
- Initial Consultation & Project Planning – The Lamulle team learns about the client’s goals, property location, and timeline.
- Permitting Requirements Assessed – Based on the project type and site, Lamulle identifies all needed permits.
- Client Documentation Requested – Lamulle sends a clear list of what’s needed from the client.
- Applications Submitted Simultaneously – Where possible, Lamulle files multiple permits at once to reduce wait time.
- Agency Communication Managed – Lamulle responds to requests, clarifies designs, and arranges any required site visits.
- Status Updates Provided – Clients are kept informed via email and direct communication.
- Permit Approvals Tracked – Lamulle ensures permits are received and any conditions are met before work begins.
This turnkey approach allows Lamulle Construction to keep projects moving without pushing paperwork onto their clients.
What Happens When Contractors Skip Permitting
The dangers of skipping or improperly handling permits are real—and often expensive. Homeowners may face fines, forced removal of unapproved structures, or roadblocks when selling the property.
One common issue Lamulle Construction sees is new homeowners “inheriting the sins of the previous owner.” Where a buyer moves into a waterfront property with a dock or bulkhead, only to learn the previous owner never got permits. This can trigger legal disputes, insurance problems, and expensive fixes. In some cases, the structure must be torn down or re-permitted at a much higher cost.
Another red flag is when a builder starts construction without having a permit in hand. Some companies gamble that permits will come through eventually—but if an agency denies the application, the structure is already non-compliant. Lamulle Construction team refuses to take that risk. No permit, no build.
Covington Case Study: How Permitting Made the Project Possible
A standout example of Lamulle’s permitting process in action is their dock and boathouse build in Covington, Louisiana. This project faced multiple layers of regulatory review. The property bordered environmentally sensitive shoreline that required inspection by a botanist assigned by the Corps of Engineers.
Lamulle Construction coordinated directly with federal and local agencies, scheduled all necessary inspections, and ensured the project complied with every requirement. Their proactive planning prevented delays and allowed construction to begin as soon as approval was granted.
The client didn’t have to lift a finger. The permitting fees were included in the project cost, and Lamulle’s in-house handling meant no third-party delays or unexpected invoices. The result: a stunning, fully compliant waterfront structure built on schedule.
Emotional Relief and Real Appreciation from Clients
Permitting may be paperwork, but for busy homeowners and property investors, it can feel overwhelming. Lamulle Construction’s clients often express genuine relief and gratitude for how much is taken off their plate.
Many are professionals with demanding schedules who don’t have time to decipher zoning maps or track down court-filed deeds. The ability to entrust the permitting process entirely to Lamulle Construction is not just convenient—it’s a selling point.
Why Competitors Fall Short
The marine construction space is filled with contractors who claim to offer full-service solutions, but few handle permitting in-house. They leave it to the client or subcontract it out.
This often results in miscommunication between permit handlers and builders, delays when permit requirements aren’t factored into designs, additional costs from third-party fees, and stress for clients who aren’t prepared to manage government applications.
Even worse, some companies build first and sort out the permits later—putting their clients at legal and financial risk.
Our approach is different. Because we design and build with permitting in mind from day one, there’s no guesswork. Every project is planned around compliance, which saves time, protects the client, and preserves the company’s excellent reputation.
What Permitting Really Costs—and What It’s Worth
Every permit carries a fee, and those fees vary by agency, project type, and location. Scenic rivers permits can take months and involve extra publication costs. County- or city-level permits may add administrative fees, while Corps of Engineers approvals often require additional documentation or environmental review.
Lamulle charges a flat permitting fee built into the project cost—one that reflects their internal handling of the entire process. It covers the personnel hours spent coordinating, tracking, and submitting applications across multiple agencies.
Compared to third-party permitting services that charge thousands of dollars—and still expect the client to do the legwork—Lamulle Construction offers tremendous value. Their clients get hands-on support, faster approvals, and one point of contact for everything.
Unexpected costs are rare, but in environmentally sensitive areas or cases involving land reclamation, mitigation costs may arise. Lamulle Construction helps clients prepare for those possibilities and manage them efficiently if they occur.
Proactive Strategies That Prevent Problems
Years of experience in marine permitting have taught the Lamulle Construction team how to prevent issues before they arise. Their best practices include running permit applications concurrently whenever possible and pre-screening projects for red flags like size limits, environmental concerns, or access issues.
We’ve built relationships with permitting agencies and inspectors that make coordination more efficient, and prioritize submitting complete, accurate paperwork right from the start. One of the biggest culprits for delay is incomplete applications that get buried in an agency’s inbox. Lamulle Construction works hard to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Advice for New Waterfront Property Owners
If you’re new to owning waterfront property and considering a marine construction project, Lamulle offers this advice:
Don’t wait to start the permitting process. Even a simple dock can take several months for approval if additional reviews are needed. Start early, gather your documents, and work with a contractor who knows the terrain.
And most importantly—make sure permitting is included in your contract. Don’t assume your builder will handle it unless it’s written in. At Lamulle Construction, it’s always a core part of their process, but not all marine contractors can say that.
Why Lamulle Construction’s Process Is Better—From Start to Finish
Permitting is more than a formality. It’s a legal, environmental, and logistical checkpoint that impacts every aspect of a marine construction project. Lamulle Construction stands out by making it simple for their clients.
They handle everything from the first site survey to the last agency approval, from bulkheads and boathouses to piers and walkways, and from local city forms to federal agency coordination.
Competitors might build a dock. Lamulle Construction builds it legally, safely, and with every piece of paper in place.
In an industry where too many builders skip steps, Lamulle’s commitment to doing it right has earned them trust across the Gulf South.
That’s not just good business—it’s smart construction.
Need help with a permitted marine project in Louisiana or Mississippi? Contact Lamulle Construction today to learn how their full-service approach protects your investment—and simplifies your life.
