A covered patio can turn a strip of concrete outside a Kenner restaurant into seating that holds up through the afternoon sun and the sudden summer downpours. Before a restaurant patio cover goes up in Kenner, though, the project answers to the commercial building code and the City of Kenner’s permit office. Accessibility rules for dining areas come into play as well, and none of that applies to a backyard cover.
This guide lays out the code and permit questions to settle first, from licensing to accessible seating. It’s general information for restaurant and shop owners, not legal or design advice, so confirm requirements with the City of Kenner and your architect or engineer before you commit to a layout. Big Easy Patios builds wind-rated patio covers in Kenner and holds a Louisiana commercial license for this kind of work.
Key takeaways
- Kenner’s Inspection and Code Enforcement Department reviews and issues building permits for structures in the city, and the city says a building permit is necessary on all construction.
- Louisiana’s statewide code uses the 2021 International Building Code for commercial work, and the state lists January 1, 2027 as the effective date for the 2024 editions.
- The state licensing board requires a commercial license for commercial projects worth $50,000 or more, with labor and materials included in that value.
- The 2010 ADA Standards call for an accessible route to outdoor dining areas at restaurants, and at least 5 percent of seating at dining surfaces has to meet the accessible dining surface rules.
- Sidewalk encroachment and fire marshal review depend on your site, so raise both with the city and your designer early.
Why Kenner restaurants look at covered patios
Outdoor seating in Kenner deals with the same weather as every patio in Jefferson Parish: hot summers with strong sun and heavy afternoon rain that can clear a patio in minutes. The Atlantic hurricane season also runs from June 1 to November 30, according to the National Hurricane Center, so anything built over tables has to be designed for wind, not just shade.
A roof over the seating area gives customers shade and a dry place to sit while a shower passes. The roof type matters. An insulated panel roof runs cooler and quieter in a downpour than single-skin aluminum, which our comparison of insulated vs. lattice patio covers explains. Some owners prefer shade they can put away, and our Kenner awnings and motorized shades page covers systems with wind sensors that retract the fabric when gusts pick up.
What building code applies to a restaurant patio cover in Kenner?
Commercial work in Louisiana follows the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code, which adopts the 2021 International Building Code minus a few chapters, including administration and electrical. The state’s code information sheet lists January 1, 2027 as the date the 2024 ICC editions take effect, so if your project will be permitted near that date, ask which edition applies.
That’s a different rulebook from the residential code behind a backyard cover. A canopy over customer seating is designed around the building’s use and the site’s wind exposure, so plan on engineered drawings. Ask the city what it needs for plan review before a design is final, and ask your architect or engineer whether State Fire Marshal plan review applies to the project.
How the City of Kenner permit process fits in
Kenner is its own city inside Jefferson Parish, and its Inspection and Code Enforcement Department is responsible for “the review and issuance of building permits and subsequent inspections of all structures within the City.” The city’s permits page says a building permit is “necessary on all construction, including pools in and above ground, all portable or prefab buildings, cement work and fences,” so a new roof over restaurant seating belongs in that process from the start.
Licensing ties into the permit too. The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors says a commercial license covers “commercial projects with a value of $50,000 or more (including labor and materials) when the property is to be used for commercial purposes.” State law, as printed in the board’s handbook, also bars a local building department from issuing a building permit to anyone without an active license in the right classification for the work. Confirm your installer’s license classification before the permit application goes in. Big Easy Patios holds Louisiana Commercial License #3667 alongside its residential license.
If posts or the roof edge would reach toward a sidewalk or public right-of-way, raise that with the city before design starts. Encroachment is a site-by-site question, so get the city’s answer in writing. Our Kenner service area page explains how we plan projects across the city.
Accessibility under a covered restaurant patio
A covered patio that seats customers is still a dining area, and the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design address outdoor dining directly. Section 206.2.5 says that “in restaurants and cafeterias, an accessible route shall be provided to all dining areas, including raised or sunken dining areas, and outdoor dining areas.” Section 226.1 adds that where dining surfaces are provided, “at least 5 percent of the seating spaces and standing spaces at the dining surfaces shall comply with 902.”
Section 902 sets the details, including dining surface tops at 28 inches minimum and 34 inches maximum above the floor or ground. For a patio cover, that means checking the layout for a route from the door to the covered seating that no post blocks, along with enough tables at accessible heights. The standards also include exceptions for some alterations to existing outdoor dining areas, so how they apply to your building is a question for your architect or accessibility consultant.
Design details that matter on a commercial cover
- Wind and anchoring. We set posts on anchored footings instead of pinning them to a slab, and the framing is wind-rated. Ask to see the design wind criteria in the drawings.
- Water off the roof. Kenner is flat, so roof runoff needs a planned path. Slope the cover and place downspouts so water doesn’t land on walkways or at the entry.
- Fans and lighting. Ceiling fans and lighting wired during the build keep the space usable on still August evenings and after dark.
- Bugs at dusk. A frame that can take screens later gives you options, and our look at motorized screens vs. a screen room compares the two.
- Size. Table layout and service paths decide the footprint, and our patio cover size guide is a useful starting point.
For the full range of enclosure choices, including glass, see our guide to enclosing a patio in the New Orleans metro.
Questions to settle before you request a quote
- Do you own the building, or does your lease require landlord approval for exterior changes?
- Will the covered area change your seating or food service setup in a way the health department should review?
- Does any part of the structure approach a sidewalk or the public right-of-way?
- Does the project need State Fire Marshal plan review? Your architect or engineer can confirm.
- What will your insurance agent want to know about a new structure on the property?
Frequently asked questions
Does a Kenner restaurant need a permit for a patio cover?
The City of Kenner says a building permit is necessary on all construction, and its Inspection and Code Enforcement Department reviews and issues permits for structures in the city. Contact the department with your plans to confirm what it needs for your project.
Does the installer need a commercial license?
The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors requires a commercial license for commercial projects valued at $50,000 or more, including labor and materials, when the property is used for commercial purposes. For a smaller project, check the board’s license types to see what applies to that scope.
Do ADA rules apply to an outdoor restaurant patio?
The 2010 ADA Standards call for an accessible route to outdoor dining areas at restaurants, and they require at least 5 percent of seating and standing spaces at dining surfaces to meet Section 902. Exceptions exist for some alterations, so have your architect apply the rules to your site.
Will a patio cover hold up to hurricane season in Kenner?
A cover is only as storm-ready as its design and anchoring. Ask for the wind design criteria in the drawings, and agree on a plan for any retractable parts before a storm is in the forecast.
Planning covered seating for a Kenner restaurant or shop? We’ll look at the site with you and put the scope, permits included, in writing. Call (504) 285-2659 or reach out through our contact page to set up a site visit.
