Plaquemines Parish Real Estate: Belle Chasse, NAS JRB, flood zones and schools

Plaquemines Parish follows the Mississippi River south from the edge of New Orleans to the Gulf of Mexico. Most residents live in and around Belle Chasse, home to Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans. The parish has no incorporated cities, so one parish government handles permits and services. This guide covers what buyers and sellers most need to know here, especially about flood risk and insurance.

Plaquemines Parish at a glance

Communities and local guides

Moving to NAS JRB New Orleans

Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans sits in Belle Chasse and serves Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Army and Coast Guard units. Many service members live in Belle Chasse, on the West Bank in Jefferson Parish, or in Algiers in New Orleans. Read our PCS to NAS JRB New Orleans guide and VA Loans in Louisiana. Our broker holds the Military Relocation Professional (MRP) designation.

Public schools in Plaquemines Parish

Plaquemines Parish Schools runs the public schools across the parish. The zoned school depends on the exact address.

• Find the zoned school with our School Zone tool, then confirm with the district.
• See official performance data on the Louisiana School Finder. Louisiana changed its grading formula for 2026, so compare schools using the same year.

Levees, flood zones and flood insurance

Plaquemines is low-lying, with water on both sides of the river. Belle Chasse sits within the federal hurricane levee system, while communities farther south rely on parish and federal levees that offer different levels of protection. Flood risk and insurance costs vary greatly from place to place.

1. Look up the FEMA flood zone with our Flood Zone tool or the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. Lenders generally require flood insurance in zones beginning with A or V.
2. Ask for the elevation certificate. Elevation is often the biggest factor in Plaquemines insurance costs.
3. Get flood, wind and homeowners quotes early, during your inspection period. See Flood Insurance Costs in Louisiana.
4. Plan for hurricanes. Use our Hurricane-Ready Home checklist.

Property taxes and the homestead exemption

Louisiana assesses homes at 10% of fair market value, then applies local millage. On your primary residence, the homestead exemption removes the first $7,500 of assessed value, which is the first $75,000 of market value. Apply with the Plaquemines Parish Assessor’s Office after you close. Qualifying seniors and disabled veterans may be eligible for more. Learn more in Louisiana Homestead Exemption and Property Taxes.

Permits and building

Because Plaquemines has no incorporated cities, permits for homes anywhere in the parish go through Plaquemines Parish Government.

• Before you buy, ask whether additions, enclosures and repairs were permitted.
• Before you build, raise or add on, confirm required elevation and drainage rules with the parish.
• Rural and waterfront lots: confirm water, sewer or septic, and access before making an offer.

Plaquemines Parish market

Buying and selling in Plaquemines Parish

1. Get pre-approved, including VA options if you are eligible, and price flood and wind insurance up front.
2. Check flood zone, elevation and school zone for each address.
3. Write a Louisiana offer. The good-faith money is called a deposit. Your agent walks you through inspections, the Property Disclosure Document and the act of sale.
4. File your homestead exemption after closing.

Selling? Start with a free home estimate and the Seller Success Guide, or ask about Cash Options, if your property qualifies, alongside a traditional listing plan. Buyers can download the Buyer Success Guide.

Other parishes we serve

St. Tammany • Orleans • Jefferson • St. Bernard • St. John the Baptist • Tangipahoa • Livingston • Ascension • Washington

Louisiana guides for buyers and sellers

Frequently asked questions