Environmental Rules in Ouachita Parish, LA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Ouachita Parish, Louisiana.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Ouachita Parish regulates storm drainage across the unincorporated parish under Code Chapter 21, Article II, outside Monroe and West Monroe city limits. Nobody may alter a natural or existing drainage pattern, channel, or flood plain without the police jury's prior written approval, and obstructing a drainage ditch, channel, or facility with material, debris, or burning is unlawful under Sec. 21-33, punishable by up to a $100 fine or 10 days in jail per violation.
Ouachita Parish Storm Drainage Regulations
Some RestrictionsOuachita Parish, LA Code of Ordinances Sec. 21-33
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to construct, deposit, or cause to be located any material or substance whatever within the limits of a natural or existing drainage ditch, channel, stream, drain or course such that the free flow of drainage is obstructed, impeded, or diverted to other lands.(b)It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to place and/or burn any leaves, tras...
Erosion Control
Every site development project in unincorporated Ouachita Parish must carry a stormwater pollution prevention plan naming specific erosion-control measures, per Sec. 19½-74 of the parish Site Development Regulations. Projects must install temporary or permanent vegetation, mulching, or other approved practices under Sec. 19½-75, and open drainage channels must be seeded, sodded or rip-rapped under Sec. 21-61.
Ouachita Parish Erosion & Sediment Control
Some RestrictionsOuachita Parish Code of Ordinances § 19½-74
All construction projects shall include a stormwater pollution prevention plan which provides for specific erosion control measures necessary to prevent siltation of adjacent property and drainage facilities. The stormwater pollution prevention plan shall be implemented and maintained during the construction of a project including replacement of any failed measures and restoration of any damages.
Flood Zones
Any construction or land-disturbing development inside an area of special flood hazard in unincorporated Ouachita Parish needs a development permit before work starts, per Sec. 21-102. The rule covers only parish territory outside Monroe, West Monroe and Sterlington, and the program administrator reviews every application against the FEMA flood maps adopted at Sec. 21-76.
Ouachita Parish Floodplain Development Permit
Significant RestrictionsOuachita Parish Code of Ordinances § 21-102(a)
To ensure conformance with the provisions of this article, a development permit shall be required before any construction or development begins with any area of special flood hazard as established in Section 21-76...
Flood Elevation Requirements
New and substantially improved buildings in an Ouachita Parish flood hazard area must have their lowest floor set at least one foot above the 100-year base flood elevation, per Sec. 21-117(1)a. New subdivisions face a stricter three-foot margin above base flood level under Sec. 21-121(a)(2) before the parish will approve the plat.
Ouachita Parish Base Flood Elevation Rule
Some RestrictionsOuachita Parish Code of Ordinances § 21-117(1)a
Structures located within unprotected areas of any special flood hazard area shall have a lowest floor elevation at least one (1) foot above the 100-year base flood elevation, or at least one (1) foot above the record inundation, whichever is higher.
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