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St. Tammany Parish, LA Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
UDC § 900-6.9 (MS4 program)
Administered by
Parish MS4 Administrator
SWPPP + NOI required
Construction sites of 5+ acres
SWPPP only required
Sites 1 acre to under 5 acres
Water quality limit
No more than 0.2 mg/L DO drop
Complaint records kept
3 years on file

Summary

St. Tammany Parish bans illicit discharges into its Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) and drainage infrastructure under UDC Section 900-6.9. Construction sites of one acre or more need a stormwater pollution prevention plan, and sites of five acres or more also need an LDEQ notice of intent.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of St. Tammany Parish. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

No person shall introduce or cause to be introduced into the MS4, drainage infrastructure, conveyances, or waterways of the parish any illicit discharge, including non-stormwater discharges that are not composed entirely of stormwater, except as expressly provided for in this section. No person shall introduce or cause to be introduced into the MS4, drainage infrastructure, conveyances, or waterways of the parish any discharge that causes or contributes to violation of a water quality standard.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 12 Update 2).

Full Breakdown

Section 900-6.9 sets the parish's stormwater quality and illicit discharge program, run by the Parish MS4 Administrator under subsection B.2. It bars anyone from introducing an illicit discharge, meaning any non-stormwater discharge, into the MS4, drainage infrastructure, conveyances, or waterways of the parish, and separately bars any discharge that causes or contributes to a water quality standard violation, under subsection C.1-2. Subsection D lists specific banned discharges, including used motor oil and other vehicle fluids, industrial or household hazardous waste, untreated sewage or septic waste, grease or grit trap waste, concrete or asphalt base material, uncontrolled construction sediment, and direct discharges of pesticide, herbicide, or fertilizer.

Construction triggers added paperwork under subsection I.8: a project disturbing five acres or more, including a lot that is part of a larger common plan of development, needs both a Notice of Intent and a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) to satisfy LDEQ, while a project of one acre up to five acres needs a SWPPP but not a Notice of Intent. Subsection G requires a signed stormwater agreement for any project needing a building permit, site work permit, or subdivision work order, committing the owner to get any needed LDEQ permit and follow state, federal, and local rules for the life of the project. Developments of five acres or more also get modeled for water quality impacts under subsection K, and cannot reduce dissolved oxygen in a receiving stream by more than 0.2 mg/L. Anyone can file a stormwater complaint with the MS4 Administrator, verbally or in writing, and the parish keeps a written record on file for three years under subsection M.

Violations & Fines

Anyone who causes a spill, release, or illicit discharge is solely responsible for cleanup and must report hazardous or toxic releases immediately to the parish Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and to LDEQ under subsections C.4 and L.2. Because Section 2-542 places environmental ordinance enforcement inside the parish's bureau of administrative adjudication, violations can draw civil fines, civil penalties, fees, and hearing costs in addition to any state LDEQ enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What discharges are banned into St. Tammany Parish's storm drains?
Section 900-6.9(D) bans dumping used motor oil and other vehicle fluids, industrial or household hazardous waste, untreated sewage or septic waste, grease trap waste, concrete or asphalt material, uncontrolled construction sediment, and direct pesticide, herbicide, or fertilizer discharges into the MS4, drainage infrastructure, conveyances, or waterways of the parish.
Does my construction project need a stormwater permit in St. Tammany Parish?
Size sets the requirement: under subsection I.8, a project disturbing five acres or more needs both an LDEQ Notice of Intent and a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan, while a project between one and five acres needs the SWPPP but not the Notice of Intent. Either way, Section 900-6.9(G) requires a signed stormwater agreement with the building or site work permit.
Who enforces stormwater rules in St. Tammany Parish and how do I report a violation?
The Parish MS4 Administrator enforces Section 900-6.9, and anyone can file a stormwater complaint verbally or in writing under subsection M. Hazardous or toxic spills must be reported immediately to the parish Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality under subsection L.2.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in St. Tammany Parish

All St. Tammany Parish rules

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