Lake Charles
Lake Charles is an incorporated city in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana.
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Who to contact
- Lake Charles Planning and ZoningZoning, land use and development review.
- Phone
- 337-491-1200
- Address
- 326 Pujo Street Lake Charles, LA 70601
- Website
- Visit website
- Lake Charles zoning and land useZoning districts and land use rules, and which uses and buildings the rules permit on a given piece of land.
- Lake Charles zoning codeThe Lake Charles zoning rules: districts, allowed uses, lot sizes, setbacks and parking.
- Lake Charles Building and PermitsBuilding permits and inspections.
- Phone
- 337-491-1542
- Website
- Visit website
- Lake Charles Public WorksRoads, bridges and right of way.
- Phone
- 337-491-1220
- Address
- 4200 E Broad St. Lake Charles, LA 70615
- Website
- Visit website
Who handles what in Lake Charles
- Zoning and land use
- Office
- Lake Charles Planning and Zoning, 337-491-1200
- Building permits
- Office
- Lake Charles Building and Permits, 337-491-1542
- Property value and homestead
- Office
- Calcasieu Parish Assessor, 337-721-3000
- Property tax bills
- Office
- Calcasieu Parish Sheriff and Tax Collector, (337) 491-3700
- Deeds, mortgages and plats
- Office
- Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court, (337) 437-3550
- Roads
- City streets
- Lake Charles Public Works, 337-491-1220
- State highways
- Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD)
Where to find things
- Louisiana food assistanceFood assistance (SNAP and EBT)
Official USDA directory entry for Louisiana: program website, EBT contacts, and application or local-office links where available.
More options
- USDA food assistance state directoryChoose a state or territory for official food-assistance program websites, applications, and EBT contacts.
- Louisiana unemployment benefitsUnemployment benefits
Official Louisiana unemployment insurance information. Find the program’s instructions for claims, eligibility, and ongoing benefits. Use its own guidance to choose where to file.
More options
- USAGov unemployment benefits overviewFind the state unemployment program and official filing guidance through USAGov. Where you worked can determine where you should file.
- Louisiana Medicaid and CHIPHealth coverage (Medicaid and CHIP)
Find Louisiana Medicaid application information and health-coverage contacts. Check the program for eligibility, renewals, and children’s coverage.
More options
- HealthCare.gov Medicaid and CHIP application guideFind Medicaid and children’s health-coverage application guidance and the official agency for your state or territory.
- Louisiana energy bill assistanceHeating and utility bill assistance
Find Louisiana energy-assistance information for heating, cooling, or utility bills. Follow the program’s application and local-provider instructions. Availability and eligibility are determined by the program.
More options
- USAGov help with energy billsLearn about help with heating, cooling, and energy bills, and find the official LIHEAP and weatherization program contacts.
- Louisiana WIC programWIC nutrition help
Official Louisiana WIC site linked from the Louisiana Department of Health, with WIC sign-up, food benefits, breastfeeding support and clinic locations.
More options
- USDA WIC application and clinic guideWIC nutrition, food benefits, breastfeeding support, and clinic application contacts.
- Louisiana child care assistanceHelp paying for child care
Child care payment assistance, application instructions, and program contacts. Check current eligibility, funding, and waiting lists with the program.
More options
- ChildCare.gov help paying for child careChild care payment assistance, application instructions, and program contacts. Check current eligibility, funding, and waiting lists with the program.
- Louisiana Housing Corporation rental opportunitiesRent help and public housing
Learn about rental help and public housing programs, how to apply, and who to contact. Check current eligibility and waiting lists with the program.
More options
- HUD Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and public housingLearn how Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and public housing work, how to apply, and how to find your local public housing agency. Check current eligibility and waiting lists with your local agency.
- Louisiana emergency shelter and eviction helpEmergency shelter and eviction help
Find emergency shelter, homelessness services or help to avoid eviction, and see who to contact. Check current availability and eligibility with the program.
More options
- HUD Find ShelterSearch for nearby shelters, homeless services, food pantries and health clinics, or find your local homeless services network. Check current availability with each provider.
- Louisiana Family Independence Temporary Assistance ProgramCash assistance (TANF)
Learn about cash assistance for families with children, how to apply, and who to contact about your case. Check current eligibility and rules with the program.
More options
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistanceLearn how Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash help works and find the program that serves your state. Apply through your state or local office.
- Louisiana child support servicesChild support services
Open a child support case, get help establishing paternity or a support order, and find payment and contact information.
More options
- Child support helpLearn how to get help collecting child support and find the child support agency that serves your state or tribe.
- Louisiana Governor's Office of Elderly AffairsSenior services and aging
Find state programs for older adults and family caregivers, such as help at home, meals, caregiver support, and how to reach your local aging office. Check current eligibility and waiting lists with the program.
More options
- Eldercare LocatorFederal Eldercare Locator for finding local help for older adults and caregivers, such as meals, help at home, transportation, and your Area Agency on Aging. Search by ZIP code or call the listed number.
- Louisiana Rehabilitation ServicesDisability services
Find state disability services, such as vocational rehabilitation for work and training, independent living help, and how to apply. Check current eligibility and waiting lists with the program.
More options
- State vocational rehabilitation agencies directoryFederal directory of state vocational rehabilitation agencies that help people with disabilities get ready for, find, and keep jobs. Use it to find your state agency and how to contact it.
- Louisiana veterans benefits helpVeterans benefits help
Get free help applying for federal and state veterans benefits, such as disability compensation, pension and survivor benefits, and find a veterans service officer near you. Check eligibility and office hours with the agency.
More options
- Get help from a VA accredited representative or VSOFind a VA accredited representative or veterans service organization (VSO) who can help you file a VA claim or appeal at no cost. Your state and county veterans service offices can also help.
- Louisiana unclaimed property searchUnclaimed money
Search the official unclaimed property list for money owed to you, such as forgotten bank accounts, uncashed checks, refunds and deposits, and file a claim. Searching is free, so be careful of anyone who asks for a fee.
More options
- Find unclaimed money from the governmentLearn how to search for unclaimed money held by state governments and federal agencies, such as old bank accounts, tax refunds, savings bonds and pensions. Searching is free, so be careful of anyone who asks for a fee.
- Louisiana driver and vehicle servicesDriver licenses and state IDs · Vehicle registration and titles
Official driver and vehicle services. Check the agency for renewals, appointments, document requirements, registration, and titles.
More options
- USAGov driver licensing and state ID guideOfficial guide to driver licenses and state identification, with links to state motor vehicle agencies.
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Official U.S. passport applications, renewals, document requirements, and acceptance facility information.
- USAGov Social Security benefits and replacement cardsSocial Security benefits and cards
Official guide to Social Security benefits, card replacement, and Social Security Administration services.
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Official Medicare enrollment, coverage, plan comparisons, and contacts for help with Medicare.
- IRS income tax filing and assistanceIncome taxes and filing help
Official federal income tax filing instructions, payment and refund information, and links to filing help.
- USAGov job search and career training guideJobs and career training
Official guide to public job training, career resources, and American Job Centers.
- USAGov federal student financial aid guideStudent financial aid
Official guide to FAFSA, federal student aid, and other ways to find help paying for education.
- Louisiana consumer protection officeConsumer complaints and scams
State consumer protection information, business complaints, and reporting contacts.
More options
- USAGov state consumer protection office directoryFind your state consumer protection office for business complaints and scam reporting.
- Louisiana emergency management and recovery contactsDisaster recovery assistance
State emergency management information and contacts for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Check the agency for available recovery programs.
More options
- USAGov disaster assistance application guideOfficial disaster assistance application information and links to FEMA and other recovery programs.
- USAGov legal aid and lawyer referral guideLegal aid and lawyer referrals
Find legal aid programs, lawyer referrals, and other sources of affordable legal help.
- USAGov federal, state, and local court directoryCourts and traffic tickets
Official guide to federal, state, territory, county, and municipal court websites.
- SBA business registration and startup guideStarting and registering a business
Official startup guide covering business registration, business structure, and federal and state tax IDs.
Pages and documents from Lake Charles
- Lake Charles parcel map and property searchLake Charles's public map viewer for parcel boundaries and local map layers.
Guides
- How property taxes work: who assesses, who collects
- How to get help buying food: SNAP and WIC
- How to file for unemployment benefits
- How to get Medicaid, CHIP or Marketplace health coverage
- Help paying energy bills: LIHEAP and weatherization
- Help paying for child care
- Help with rent and housing: Section 8, shelter and eviction help
- Cash assistance for families: TANF, SSI and general assistance
- How child support works
- Help for older adults and people with disabilities
- How to get help with veterans benefits
- How to find unclaimed money in your name
About Lake Charles
Lake Charles is an incorporated city in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. The city makes its own local rules inside its limits; zoning and building permits are handled by the city in some places and by the county or state in others. Property values and land records stay with the parish.