Tangipahoa Parish, LA Public Conduct: Outdoor Smoking Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Ch. 34, Art. IV, Parish Clean Air Law
- Adopted
- Ordinance No. 09-50, August 10, 2009
- Covered property
- All parish-owned, leased or controlled buildings, parks, vehicles
- Exceptions
- Signed smoking areas; public roads for non-parish vehicles
- Penalty
- Up to $500 fine, 30 days jail, or 100 hours community service
- Scope limit
- Applies only to parish government property, not private business
Summary
Tangipahoa Parish's Clean Air Law bans smoking on every property the parish government owns, leases or controls, from parish parks and libraries to the courthouse, jail, parking lots, vehicles and equipment. The ban covers both movable and immovable parish property, with only narrow carve-outs for public roads and signed smoking areas. Violators face a misdemeanor charge under the parish's general Code penalty.
the violation of any such provision of this Code or any ordinance shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 30 days in the parish jail, or a maximum of 100 hours of community service, or a fine of up to $500.00, or any combination thereof. ... It is the intent of this article to prohibit and ban any smoking of tobacco or any other substance on any property owned, leased or controlled by the parish council-president government excepting only parish roadways and specifically designated smoking areas that are signed as such but specifically including all parish buildings, parking areas, vehicles, parks, land libraries and jail facilities. ... Smoking is hereby prohibited within or upon any parish property, whether movable or immovable, excepting parish public rights-of-way when used by the motoring public who are in a vehicle not owned or leased by the parish government and at specifically designated smoking areas that are signed as such.
Full Breakdown
The parish council adopted this Article IV 'Parish Clean Air Law' by Ordinance No. 09-50 on August 10, 2009, codifying it as Code 1993 §§ 16-75 through 16-78 and now Sections 34-81 through 34-84 of the Tangipahoa Parish Code. Section 34-82 defines 'parish property' expansively: it reaches every building, parking lot, park, public land, piece of equipment, automobile, truck, tractor and heavy equipment the parish council-president government owns, leases or otherwise controls, and it specifically names the parish courthouse, courthouse annex, jail, agency substations and the parish landfill.
'Smoking' is defined just as broadly, covering the carrying or possession of any lighted cigarette, cigar or pipe, plus the inhaling of smoke from any lighted substance, not just tobacco. Section 34-83 is the operative ban: smoking is prohibited within or upon any parish property, whether movable or immovable. The only exceptions are parish public rights-of-way used by the motoring public in a vehicle the parish does not own or lease, and areas the parish has specifically signed as designated smoking areas. Because this article regulates only property the parish government itself owns, leases or controls, it does not reach privately owned restaurant patios, bars, or sidewalks outside government buildings in unincorporated Tangipahoa Parish, and it has no bearing inside Hammond, Ponchatoula, Amite City or the parish's other incorporated towns, which set their own municipal smoking rules. Enforcement runs through Section 34-84, which classifies any violation of this article as a misdemeanor criminal offense subject to the Code's general penalty provision.
Violations & Fines
A violation of Section 34-84 is a misdemeanor criminal offense enforced under the Code's general penalty, Section 1-13: up to 30 days in the parish jail, a maximum of 100 hours of community service, a fine of up to $500.00, or any combination of the three. Because no specific penalty is written into the smoking article itself, this general schedule applies, and each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I smoke on a parish sidewalk or in a parish park?
Does the ban apply to a private restaurant patio in unincorporated Tangipahoa Parish?
What happens if I'm caught smoking on parish property?
Are there any places on parish property where smoking is allowed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tangipahoa Parish
Compare Tangipahoa Parish to another location·View the Louisiana public conduct overview
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