A.(1)  For purposes of this Section, “farm structure” means a structure which is constructed on a farm, other than a residence or a structure attached to it, for use on the farm including but not limited to barns, sheds, and poultry houses but not public livestock areas.  For purposes of this Section, “farm structure” does not include a structure originally qualifying as a “farm structure” but later converted to another use.

(2)  For purposes of this Section, “residential accessory structure” means a structure not exceeding five hundred square feet in footprint, and not attached to a residence that is used as an accessory to the primary use of the residence, and not constructed in regions where the basic wind speeds from Figure R301.2(4) of the International Residential Code, as promulgated by the council, equal or exceed one hundred miles per hour, or forty-five meters per second, in hurricane-prone regions or one hundred ten miles per hour, or forty-nine meters per second, elsewhere.

B.  The governing authority of a parish or municipality shall not enforce that portion of the state uniform construction code which regulates the construction or improvement of a farm structure or private outdoor recreational structure, other than a residence or structure attached to a residence, such as a hunting or fishing camp or residential accessory structure.  However, a municipality with a population in excess of forty-five thousand according the latest federal decennial census may enforce that portion of the state uniform construction code which regulates the construction or improvement of a residential accessory structure.

C.  For residential construction, the standards published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the National Flood Insurance Program shall apply.

D.  The provisions of this Section shall not affect the power of the governing authority of a parish or municipality to issue building permits before the construction or improvement of a farm or private outdoor recreational structure.

Acts 2005, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 12, §2, eff. Nov. 29, 2005; Acts 2008, No. 830, §1.