Environmental Rules in Lafayette, LA (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Lafayette, Louisiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Lafayette City-Parish regulates stormwater discharges to its municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) under Chapter 34, Article V, the Stormwater Ordinance. It bans illicit discharges and connections, sets permit rules for construction runoff and land disturbance, and requires post-construction erosion control on any land within the city-parish, absent a written exemption from public works.
Lafayette Stormwater Ordinance (Ch. 34, Art. V)
Some RestrictionsLafayette City-Parish Code of Ordinances § 34-402
The purpose of this article is to provide for the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of the city-parish and protect the environment within the city-parish, to the maximum extent practicable as required by federal and state law, through the regulation of certain activities and discharges that may impact stormwater discharges to the city-parish's storm drainage system. Among othe...
Erosion Control
Anyone disturbing one acre or more of land in Lafayette City-Parish for a building or land-disturbance permit must certify a site-specific stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) and use best management practices to keep sediment on site, per Section 34-471, with post-construction erosion control required afterward under Section 34-511.
Lafayette Construction Erosion & Sediment Control
Some RestrictionsLafayette City-Parish Code of Ordinances §§ 34-471, 34-511
Any person applying for a building permit or Land Disturbance permit from the CDP for a project involving the disturbance of one acre or more, or that is part of a development involving the disturbance of one acre of more, shall certify that (a) a site specific SWPPP has been developed for the site and any Land Disturbance activities at the site shall be in accordance with such SWPPP, and (b) a...
Flood Zones
Lafayette Consolidated Government regulates construction in special flood hazard areas under chapter 26, article XI, requiring new and substantially improved homes to sit at least 12 inches above base flood elevation. Violating the floodplain division is a misdemeanor carrying up to $100 a day and 30 days in jail, with each day counted as a separate offense.
Lafayette Floodplain Development Standards
Significant RestrictionsLafayette City-Parish Code of Ordinances §§ 26-704(b)(1), 26-704(i)
(1)Residential construction: New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement and garage, or carport) elevated to a minimum of 12 inches above the base flood elevation. Attached garages and utilities (including electrical, heating, ductwork, ventilating, plumbing, and air conditioning equipment) must also be protected to 1...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government requires new and substantially improved residential structures in special flood hazard areas to elevate the lowest floor, including basement and garage, at least 12 inches above the base flood elevation under City Code § 26-704(b)(1). Nonresidential buildings may instead be floodproofed to that same freeboard height, with certification filed with the floodplain administrator.
Lafayette Flood Elevation & Freeboard Rules
Some RestrictionsLafayette City-Parish Code of Ordinances § 26-704(b)(1)
Specific standards. In all special flood hazard areas where base flood elevation data has been provided... (1)Residential construction: New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor (including basement and garage, or carport) elevated to a minimum of 12 inches above the base flood elevation. Attached garages and utilities (including electr...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Lafayette city rules.
Environmental Rules in Lafayette Parish →