St. Martin Parish, LA: Auto Repair on Residential Property (2026)
Key Facts
- Vehicle cap
- Five vehicles in any stage of repair at one time
- Covered repairers
- Self-employed, part-time or for a fee, at a private residence
- Compliance window
- 60 days from notice to remove or abate
- Extension
- Up to an additional 60 days, in writing
- First conviction
- Fine up to $100.00 or up to six months, or both
- Later convictions
- Fine up to $500.00 or up to six months, or both
- Abatement costs
- Charged to owner, then added to ad valorem tax bill
Summary
In unincorporated St. Martin Parish, a home mechanic who repairs damaged or inoperative vehicles at a private residence, part-time or for a fee, cannot store more than five vehicles in any stage of repair at the site at one time. Section 24-1 sets that cap, and stored wrecked or used vehicles and parts fall within its nuisance definition.
Home mechanic (shade tree mechanic) means a self-employed individual who repairs damaged or inoperative vehicles or machinery at a private residence or at any site zoned for other uses as a part-time occupation or for a fee. No more than five vehicles in any stage of repair may be stored at the site at any one time. ... Nuisance means any condition of or the use of any premises or structure which: ... (2)Reflects the storage or abandonment of trash, debris, junk, wrecked, or used automobiles or motor vehicles, or any parts thereof, or any junk, discarded, or abandoned machinery, or other metal, tin, or discarded items; ... (1)For a first conviction, such person shall be fined not more than $100.00 or imprisoned not more than six months, or both;(2)For a second and subsequent convictions, such person shall be fined not more than $500.00 or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.
Full Breakdown
Section 24-1 of the St. Martin Parish Code, in Chapter 24 Nuisances, Article I, defines the home mechanic, also called the shade tree mechanic, as a self-employed individual who repairs damaged or inoperative vehicles or machinery at a private residence or at any site zoned for other uses as a part-time occupation or for a fee. The next sentence is the limit: no more than five vehicles in any stage of repair can be stored at the site at any one time. The definition was renumbered from Section 24-105 to Section 24-1 by Ord. No. 19-02-1255-OR, adopted February 5, 2019, and the term home mechanic appears nowhere else in the code.
The same section defines a nuisance as any condition of or use of premises or a structure that causes diminution in the value of the property of others in the neighborhood, reflects the storage or abandonment of trash, debris, junk, wrecked, or used automobiles or motor vehicles or any parts of them, or is in any way dangerous to the health and safety of others. Wrecked or used vehicles and parts are named in the second prong, separate from the five-vehicle cap.
Enforcement runs through Sections 24-2 through 24-5. The parish council designee is authorized to enter property found in violation and rid it of nuisances, but only after the owner is notified. Notice is served by a law enforcement agent, by registered or certified mail, or by publication in the official journal. The owner has 60 days to remove or abate the nuisance, or to show cause at a public hearing of the parish council why no abatement is needed or to request more time. Extensions are in writing, cannot exceed an additional 60 days, and are final unless appealed within five days. If the council finds a nuisance exists and no extension is warranted, the owner abates within 30 days of the hearing, with an appeal to the district court heard de novo.
The salvage article reaches homes too: Section 24-106(a) governs any property, including residential properties, on which lies sufficient junk accumulation that it is deemed to be endangering the public's health, safety, or welfare.
Violations & Fines
Section 24-5 makes a violation of the article a misdemeanor. A first conviction carries a fine of not more than $100.00 or imprisonment of not more than six months, or both. A second and subsequent conviction carries a fine of not more than $500.00 or imprisonment of not more than six months, or both. Under Section 24-4 the owner also pays the parish's labor, material, equipment, administrative, engineering, and attorney's fees for any abatement, due within 30 days of notice or added to the annual ad valorem tax bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cars can I work on at home in unincorporated St. Martin Parish?
Do stored wrecked cars and parts count as a nuisance?
How much time do I get after a nuisance notice?
Who pays if the parish cleans up the property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Martin Parish
Compare St. Martin Parish to another location·View the Louisiana business licensing & operations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.