Avoyelles Parish jury adopts one-acre minimum lot-size ordinance

The Avoyelles Parish Police Jury on March 10 adopted an ordinance requiring a minimum one-acre lot size for new parcels outside specified city limits, jurors said.

Supporters said the change standardizes land division rules across the parish while allowing a variance process when soil and percolation tests show a smaller lot can safely support septic and sewer systems. A juror said developers must “work with Department of Health and Hospitals and have the proper sewer system installed for that subdivision,” and that the parish will evaluate variance requests case by case at the planning commission.

During public comment, residents argued a flat one‑acre minimum could raise property costs in areas with better soil and percolation and urged broader fairness. One resident suggested a uniform standard so “everybody’s gotta be at the same price”; jurors replied that soil type, topography and discharge areas determine septic design and costs and that the health department’s approvals will guide any variance decisions.

The motion to adopt the ordinance was made and seconded and carried by voice vote. Jurors said the parish will continue to work with the planning commission and the Board of Health to ensure applicants provide required documentation before a variance is considered.

Next steps: the parish will publish the ordinance language and proceed with administrative steps for implementation; jurors noted that the planning commission will handle individual variance requests when they arise.