Woodlake Estates Subdivision has building restrictions in many instances above and beyond standard City of Kenner Municipal Code which can be found here at the Municipal Code, City of Kenner
They can be found on your land deed and your title attorney should declare those at the time of a home or land purchase.
List of Special Restrictions
BUILDING & STRUCTURAL RESTRICTIONS
- There shall be two (2) separate yards on each side of the residence having a width of at least ten (10) feet each.
- The rear yard shall have a depth of not less than 30 feet. (The backyard). The rear side yard, or backyard, shall be that space which commences at the rear of the main structure to the back and/or rear property line and runs to the side yard property lines from the main structure.
- No building or structure shall be constructed closer than 25 feet from and parallel to the front property line. (The Setback).
- All single-family dwellings must have a two (2) car garage with a minimum of 400 square feet or a 400 square foot carport with enclosed storage. Such carport being in the rear yard and in any event must conform to the dignity of the main structure. .
- No garage, either attached or unattached to the single-family dwelling shall exceed 800 square feet in size.
- No other buildings may be constructed on the lot other than a detached garage, cabana or greenhouse
- Any detached garage, detached greenhouse, detached shed, or detached cabana shall not encroach upon the minimum front and side restrictions, with the exception that the said structures may be erected up to five (5) feet of the rear property line and up to five (5) feet of the of the side yard property line.
- No cabana or greenhouse shall exceed 300 square feet in size.
- No garage or carport where permitted shall be used for human habitation.
- Exclusive of basements, porches, garages, patios, breezeways, or other open or semi-open or screened enclosures, no dwelling shall have a living area of less than 2500 square feet as measured by outside wall dimensions.
- No structure may be constructed on any lot for trade or business of any form or for any purpose other than that of a private single-family residence.
- No garage or carport shall be less than fifteen (15) feet from the side property line which is parallel and adjacent to the city street.
- No building shall exceed three stories in height.
- No building shall be constructed on a lot of less than 9500 square feet of land.
- Construction of new buildings only will be permitted. No buildings may be moved onto any lot to create a dwelling unit.
- No residence of an appraised cost of less than sixty thousand and no one-hundredths dollars ($60,000.00), exclusive of the cost of the property, shall; be erected or placed on any lot.
DIMENSION SUMMARY
- SIDE YARD (space between side of structure and property line) must be at least 10 feet
- FRONT YARD (space between front of main structure and the city street) must be no less than 25 feet.
- REAR YARD (space between rear of main structure and rear property line) must be at least 30 feet.
- DETATCHED GARAGE side yard must be at least 5 feet.
- DETACHED GARAGE rear yard must be at least 5 feet.
- DETACHED GARAGE total area may only be up to 800 square feet.
AESTHETIC RESTRICTIONS
- Boats may not be parked in the side or front yards of any lot.
- No trailer shall be parked, stored or used as a residence either temporality or permanently on any lot.
- No horses, cattle, poultry or livestock of any kind shall be raised, bred or kept on any lot except that dogs, cats or other household pets may be kept provided they are not being kept, raised or bred for commercial purposes.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
- Any construction for a new home or addition to an existing home shall have the plans submitted to the Woodlake Estates Civic Association (WECA) for approval prior to submitting them to the City of Kenner. WECA shall review and report on compliance with Woodlake Covenants and Restrictions and provide a response to homeowners within 72 hours of receipt of said plans. Per Resolution B-2146 (PDF) adopted by the City of Kenner on November 13, 1979 and as instructed by Royce Waters of the City of Kenner Public Works Department on January 4, 1980 on this Publc Works Communication (PDF)
- There shall be no exception or variations to the above minimums without the express written approval of the Woodlake Estates Civic Association prior to commencement of construction, and such exceptions may only be granted on lots which are irregular in shape.
- No construction on any building or structure shall be commenced without the prior written approval by Woodlake Estates Civic Association of any and all construction plans.
- These restrictions will run with the land and any future changes or amendments to these restrictions shall be made only with the consent and approval of the Woodlake Estates Civic Association in conjunction with the Charter and Bylaws of said association, one (1) owner to be considered for each lot and vote. (Amended Paragraph H, Clause III in 1980)
- Any member of the WECA Board may be contacted to review new construction or existing structure modification plans requiring a permit.
In 2025 efforts will be made to update restrictions to reflect reasonable adaptations.
The covenants serve the main purpose of keeping Woodlake beautiful and unique.
Enforcement
Building plans requiring a permit must be submitted to the Civic Association for approval. The Association will render anopinion within 48 hours so as no to interfere with permitting at the City of Kenner.
There is precedent of legal action being taken should an attempt be made to build a house out of Code.