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St. Martin Parish Council adopts ordinance banning dumping and restricting outdoor burning
Summary
The St. Martin Parish Council on Aug. 3 adopted Ordinance No. 21-08-1329 to prohibit transport, dumping and outdoor burning of construction debris and vegetative refuse in unincorporated areas, with specified exceptions and penalties of $300–$500 or up to 30 days in jail; the measure passed with one abstention.
The St. Martin Parish Council on Aug. 3 adopted an ordinance that prohibits the transport, dumping, storage and outdoor burning of specified items — including building or construction materials, brush, limbs, leaves, tires and other refuse — in unincorporated areas of the parish.
Ordinance No. 21-08-1329 enacts Section 26-10 of the parish code and makes unauthorized transportation or subsequent burning of those materials unlawful. The ordinance includes carve-outs for activities at sites licensed by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality or other state or federal regulators and lists exceptions such as campfires, food preparation, certain agricultural/forestry burns, small trade-site fires and controlled training burns. Penalties are set at not less than $300 and not more than $500 and up to 30 days imprisonment; the ordinance becomes effective upon Council approval and signature by Parish President Chester Cedars.
The ordinance drew public comment during the Board of Review hearing period from St. Martinville resident Billy Broussard, who said he has nowhere in the parish to bring vegetative debris, questioned the timing during hurricane season and disputed that he was operating a business on his Duchamp Road property. Parish President Chester Cedars responded that the Broussard property raises two concerns: a potential violation of the ordinance and use of residentially zoned property for activities the parish has informed the owner are not permitted; he also said several tree-service companies have been seeking DEQ permits and that only two companies in the parish were complying with applicable rules at the time of the meeting.
Council Member David Poirier recorded an abstention on the final vote; the remaining members voted to adopt the ordinance. Planning and Zoning Coordinator Morgan Allemond presented the ordinance summary and the Council closed the public hearing prior to final action.
The ordinance text explicitly allows burning and disposal at licensed facilities and reiterates that compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations remains required. Local residents and landowners affected by the new restriction should contact the Planning and Zoning office for guidance on permitted disposal options and any applicable permit requirements.
