St. Martin Parish Council requires council approval for developments that construct, alter, or remove levees

The St. Martin Parish Council unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 21-07-1327-OR on July 6, 2021, amending Article I of Chapter 14 of the Code of Ordinances to add Section 14-71, "Council Approval of Developments." The measure requires that developments which include construction, alteration, or removal of levees or levee systems obtain a permit from the floodplain administrator and specific approval by majority vote of the council.

Section 14-71 directs that, upon request of the floodplain administrator or the Parish President, permit applications for such developments be accompanied by engineering studies detailing hydrological and hydraulic impacts. The ordinance sets factors the floodplain administrator and council must consider, including disturbance to adjacent property, rise in water levels, potential flood damage to property or infrastructure, impact on erosion, and other relevant factors. It prohibits approving developments in flood hazard, floodplain, or floodway areas if the development is incompatible with adjacent property or would make nearby property vulnerable to flood damage. The updated Section 14-2 revises the definition of "levee" to include any manmade structure that contains, controls, diverts, detains, or retains flow across real estate.

Council members framed the ordinance as a response to recent flooding and as a way to ensure council oversight on projects with potential parish-wide hydrological impacts. The ordinance became effective immediately upon adoption and signature of the Parish President.

Why it matters: the ordinance inserts a formal role for the council in approving levee-related developments and requires technical studies when requested, increasing legislative oversight of projects that could change local flood behavior. Developers and property owners proposing levee work should expect permit review and possible council action.