St. Tammany Parish, LA Fire Regulations: Outdoor Burning (2026)

Sec. 38-300 makes it unlawful to kindle or set fire to combustible material on public or private property in the parish for the purpose of disposing of solid waste, unless the person burning has obtained every permit required under applicable federal, state and local law. Fire protection districts, the parish department of environmental services, sheriff's deputies, and state or federal enforcement officials can all act on a violation under subsection (b). A related but separate authority sits in Sec. 14-1: when the parish president determines drought conditions warrant it, after informally consulting climatology, meteorology, forestry, fire or public safety officials, the parish president can issue a written 'Notice of Restrictions due to Existing Drought Conditions' covering outdoor burning, fireworks, water usage and other safety measures.

That notice must state the conditions, the restrictions imposed, the effective date, and a duration capped at 30 days, though it can be renewed by a subsequent notice without limit, and the parish president can revoke it early in writing. Separately, Sec. 38-166 bars burning or releasing hazardous wastes or byproducts into the parish's air or water outright, except within Fire Protection District No. 1, which is instead governed by Sec. 26-2. Enforcement of the solid waste article as a whole, including Sec. 38-300, runs through Sec.

38-186: the parish department of environmental services can inspect affected property, issue citations, seek injunctive relief, and recover cleanup costs and attorney fees in addition to criminal penalties.