Council adopts ordinance regulating tire businesses: permits, display limits and penalties set

The Metropolitan Council voted to adopt a new ordinance adding a chapter regulating tire businesses, requiring permits, recordkeeping, storage and display controls, and penalties for violations. The ordinance was approved after a presentation from Environmental Services staff and public discussion; the motion to adopt was made by Councilman Anthony Kenny and seconded by Councilman Darrell Hurst, and the motion carried.

Key provisions included in the ordinance as presented: businesses selling or storing tires must obtain an annual permit ($100), used-tire storage limits (no more than 500 used tires and/or 150 waste tires on-site), requirements that tires be stored in an enclosed area or behind a screened fence a minimum of 6 feet high and not within 10 feet of the property line, a limit of five tires displayed outside at any one time, and required records showing tire purchases, sales and hauls-off to licensed haulers and permitted disposal facilities. The ordinance gives Environmental Services authority to audit records; failure to keep records, improper storage or illegal dumping would trigger penalties of $50 per tire for transporting without a permit, $50 per tire for illegal dumping (additive), and additional fines for storage/display violations (stated as $50 per tire per day for certain violations in the presentation). The ordinance takes effect Sept. 1, 2025, with a six-month compliance and educational period for existing businesses.

Environmental Services manager Adam (surname in transcript) explained the background: city teams documented large accumulations of tires in public and private locations and cited examples of illegal dumping. Staff told council the new rule mirrors some existing Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) requirements for waste tires, clarifies recordkeeping for used tires (which DEQ does not regulate), and gives the parish enforcement tools and the ability to suspend or refuse permits for businesses out of compliance, including those with outstanding DEQ consent orders.

Speakers supported and opposed the ordinance in public comment. Edgar Cage of Together Baton Rouge said the measure is “a real good first step in us cleaning up our community,” and community advocates — including Keep Tigertown Beautiful — urged enforcement mechanisms to prevent haulers and operators from diverting tires to illegal dumping. Councilmembers and staff clarified enforcement plans and staffing: Environmental Services will use existing inspectors (some duties recently reallocated) to incorporate tire-business inspections into their workload, and the ordinance is expected to generate roughly $30,000 annually in permit revenue if about 300 businesses obtain permits.

Council questions focused on enforcement capacity, where legally disposed tires will be processed, and whether the parish or private sector is positioned to accept the additional volume. Staff said permitted haulers must take waste tires to permitted facilities; the parish does not operate a dedicated tire disposal facility although staff said one private provider exists just across the river and others are known in the region. The council discussed plans for outreach during the six-month education period and said they had received commitments from mayors in smaller municipalities to adopt the ordinance as well, which would allow Environmental Services to pursue parishwide enforcement through interlocal arrangements.

What’s next: The ordinance takes effect Sept. 1 with a six-month compliance period. Environmental Services will publish guidance, begin permit registration through the parish’s permitting portal, and conduct outreach and inspections. Council members said they expect the parish attorney and staff to track compliance and return with implementation updates.