The Affidavit Claiming Exemption from Licensure is a sworn statement published by the City of New Orleans for homeowners who apply for a building permit as their own general contractor under the exemption in La. R.S. 37:2157(A)(14). The homeowner initials twelve statements about responsibility, insurance risk and penalties, then signs the affidavit before a notary. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the City publishes the original on nola.gov, revised 6/1/2025.
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What is Affidavit Claiming Exemption from Licensure – New Orleans, LA?
The Affidavit Claiming Exemption from Licensure is a sworn statement published by the City of New Orleans in which a homeowner certifies that a building permit application is true and claims the state exemption allowing an owner to act as general contractor.
The form says the homeowner signs under penalty of perjury and the filing of false public records. It names the permitting Town/City/Parish and the municipal address of the parcel where construction will take place. The homeowner then initials twelve statements. Together they say that:
- the owner is using the exemption in La. R.S. 37:2157(A)(14) to build, repair, improve or maintain their own home or accessory building and will keep it as their primary residence;
- the owner is the contractor of record, bears sole legal and financial responsibility, must supervise the work on site and may not hire an unlicensed person to act as contractor or supervisor;
- the owner may be liable for injuries to unlicensed workers, and homeowner's insurance may not cover them;
- the exemption does not reach subcontractors who are subject to licensure under La. R.S. 37:2150, et seq.;
- the affidavit is the only document the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors authorizes under La. R.S. 37:2160(C) to claim the exemption.
The form ends with a jurat: the homeowner's name and signature and the notary's signature, name and Notary/Bar number. It is not a permit. It supports a building permit application, which the City's Department of Safety & Permits reviews.
Who needs to file Affidavit Claiming Exemption from Licensure – New Orleans, LA?
Homeowners who apply for a building permit in New Orleans and want to act as their own general contractor under La. R.S. 37:2157(A)(14) use this affidavit. The form limits the exemption to the construction, repair, improvement or maintenance of your home or accessory building, which you must keep as your primary residence after the Certificate of Occupancy is issued or construction is completed.
The City's Accessory Structure Permit page says that anyone doing work on a structure without a licensed contractor must submit it.
Limits printed on the form:
- You may not obtain a permit for another residence within one year of the Certificate of Occupancy unless your legal marital status or employment changes, as specified in La. R.S. 37:2157(A)(14).
- You may not hire an unlicensed person to act as your contractor or construction manager, or to supervise the people working on your property.
- The exemption does not apply to subcontractors, who remain subject to the licensing requirements of La. R.S. 37:2150, et seq.
The form notes that you can avoid the owner-builder risk by hiring a licensed contractor and having the permit filed in that contractor's name instead of yours. The owner signs personally. The form has no line for a representative.
When to file Affidavit Claiming Exemption from Licensure – New Orleans, LA
Complete the affidavit when you apply for the building permit for which you are claiming the exemption. The form certifies that the information in the building permit application is true, so it belongs with that application. The City's Accessory Structure Permit page says that anyone doing work on a structure without a licensed contractor must submit it. Neither the form nor that page prints a separate due date.
The form has a notarization date (day, month and year) that is filled in when the affidavit is sworn before a notary, so plan the notary visit before you submit the permit application.
Timing also matters after the permit. Under the exemption you may not obtain a permit for another residence within one year of the Certificate of Occupancy, unless your legal marital status or employment changes as specified in La. R.S. 37:2157(A)(14).
Documents you need
- The building permit application the affidavit supports; the City's Accessory Structure Permit page says to apply online at the One Stop App.
- A notary public to witness the oath: the form has a block for the notary's signature and name and Notary/Bar number, and the jurat reads "Sworn to and subscribed before me."
How to fill out Affidavit Claiming Exemption from Licensure – New Orleans, LA
Name the permitting jurisdiction
In the opening statement, enter the Town/City/Parish from which you are applying for the building permit. For a New Orleans permit, enter the City of New Orleans.
Enter the property address
On the line for the municipal address, write the address of the parcel of immovable property where the proposed construction will take place.
Initial the exemption statement
Initial the first statement only if you are applying under La. R.S. 37:2157(A)(14) to act as general contractor on your own home or accessory building, and you will keep it as your primary residence.
Initial the one-year permit limit
Initial the second statement to confirm you understand you cannot get a permit for another residence within one year of the Certificate of Occupancy, unless your marital status or employment changes.
Initial the responsibility and risk statements
Initial the statements on sole responsibility, on-site supervision, the ban on hiring an unlicensed contractor, injury and insurance risk, and your option to hire a licensed contractor.
Initial the legal and warranty statements
Initial the statements on following all laws, codes and zoning, subcontractor licensure, the New Home Warranty Act (La. R.S. 9:3141-3150), the Contractors Licensing Law and the right to consult an attorney.
Initial the final two statements
Initial the statement that this affidavit is the only document authorized under La. R.S. 37:2160(C) to claim the exemption, and the statement on the felony penalty under R.S. 14:133 for false information.
Enter your name as homeowner
Print your name on the line for Name of Homeowner. Leave the signature and the jurat date for the notarization.
Sign before the notary
Sign on the Signature of Homeowner line when you swear before the notary. The notary completes the day, month and year of the jurat, signs, and enters their name and Notary/Bar number.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that every statement is initialed and the address is correct. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, have it notarized and submit it as described under How to submit.
How to submit Affidavit Claiming Exemption from Licensure – New Orleans, LA
The form prints no mailing address, portal or deadline of its own, so it is submitted with the building permit application it supports. On its Accessory Structure Permit page, the City of New Orleans lists the affidavit under You May Also Need: if you are doing work on a structure without a licensed contractor, you must submit it. That page also says to apply online at the One Stop App.
- Online: the building permit application is filed through the City's One Stop App. The City's page names no separate channel for the affidavit, so submit the signed and notarized affidavit with your permit application and confirm the method with the Department of Safety & Permits.
- By phone: the Department of Safety & Permits answers questions at (504) 658-7200, 9am—5pm, Monday—Friday.
The City's page describes the Accessory Structure Permit. If you need the affidavit for a different kind of building permit, ask the Department what to submit. Make sure the notary block is complete before you submit. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the City's channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving a blank line where an initial belongs; the form asks you to initial next to each of its twelve statements to attest to your understanding.
- Submitting the affidavit without the notary's signature, name and Notary/Bar number, or without the day, month and year of the jurat.
- Claiming the exemption for a house you will not keep as your primary residence after the Certificate of Occupancy or completion of construction.
- Seeking a permit for another residence within one year of the Certificate of Occupancy without a change in legal marital status or employment.
- Hiring an unlicensed person to act as contractor, construction manager or supervisor; the form forbids it.
- Assuming the exemption covers subcontractors; the form says it does not apply to subcontractors subject to licensure under La. R.S. 37:2150, et seq.
- Leaving out the Town/City/Parish or the municipal address of the parcel in the opening statement.
- Using another document to claim the exemption; the form says this affidavit is the only one the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors authorizes under La. R.S. 37:2160(C).
Frequently asked questions
What is the Affidavit Claiming Exemption from Licensure?
It is a sworn statement, published by the City of New Orleans, in which a homeowner certifies a building permit application is true and claims the exemption in La. R.S. 37:2157(A)(14) to act as general contractor on their own home or accessory building.
Is this a New Orleans property tax form?
No. Despite the shared "New Orleans property tax" searches, this is a building permit document. It concerns owner-builder exemption from contractor licensure and the homeowner's responsibility for construction, not property tax.
Does the affidavit have to be notarized?
Yes. The form ends with "Sworn to and subscribed before me," with spaces for the homeowner's signature and name and for the notary's signature, name and Notary/Bar number. An affidavit without the notary block completed is not finished.
Can I hire an unlicensed person to run my project?
No. By initialing the form you confirm you may not hire an unlicensed person to act as contractor or construction manager, or to supervise workers on your residence. You remain the contractor of record, with sole legal and financial responsibility.
How often can I use the owner-builder exemption?
You cannot obtain a permit for another residence within one year of the Certificate of Occupancy, unless your legal marital status or employment changes as specified in La. R.S. 37:2157(A)(14). The form requires you to initial this limit.
Where do I submit the Affidavit Claiming Exemption from Licensure?
The form prints no address. The City's Accessory Structure Permit page says to apply online at the One Stop App and to submit the affidavit if you work without a licensed contractor. Call the Department of Safety & Permits at (504) 658-7200 to confirm.
What happens if I put false information on the affidavit?
The form states that intentionally submitting false information to a public agency is a felony under R.S. 14:133 of the Louisiana Criminal Code, punishable by up to five (5) years in prison and/or a fine. You swear under penalty of perjury.
Can I fill out this affidavit online on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the City of New Orleans and does not file the affidavit or notarize it; you sign before a notary and submit it through the City's channels.
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