Shreveport, LA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 58-132(a), Code of Ordinances
- Max fine
- $1,000.00, § 58-118
- Max jail
- 10 days, or both fine and jail
- Enforcing agencies
- Public works and police department
- Continuing offense
- Each day is a separate violation
- City remedy
- Cleanup lien or civil suit for costs
Summary
Shreveport bans dumping dirt, rubbish or any waste, liquid or solid, on any public way, in any river, canal, drain or sewer, or anywhere it could wash into one, under Code of Ordinances section 58-132(a). Violators face a fine up to $1,000.00 or ten days in jail under section 58-118, enforced by public works and the police department.
It shall be unlawful for any person, whether in person or by his agent, employee or servant, to cast, throw, sweep, sift or deposit in any manner in or upon any public way or other public place in the city or in any river, canal, public water, drain, sewer or receiving basin within the jurisdiction of the city, any kind of dirt, rubbish, waste article, thing or substance whatsoever, whether liquid or solid. Nor shall any person cast, throw, sweep, sift or deposit any of the aforementioned items anywhere within the jurisdiction of the city in such a manner that they may be carried or deposited, in whole or in part, by the action of the sun, wind, rain or snow, into any of the aforementioned places.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 85 Update 1 | Unified Development Code: Supplement 20).
Full Breakdown
Section 58-132(a) is Shreveport's general illegal dumping ban, and it reaches well past the obvious target of a public street. The prohibition covers casting, throwing, sweeping, sifting or depositing dirt, rubbish, waste or any other substance, liquid or solid, in or upon any public way or public place, or in any river, canal, public water, drain, sewer or receiving basin within the city's jurisdiction. It also catches indirect dumping: leaving material anywhere in the city where sun, wind, rain or snow can carry it into one of those same protected places counts as a violation even if nothing was ever dropped there directly.
Section 58-132(b) carves out three narrow exceptions: material deposited under a city permit, goods or merchandise set out temporarily in the ordinary course of trade and cleared within two hours, and waste conducted into the city sewer system through lawful drains. Enforcement runs through both the department of public works and the police department under section 58-117, and either agency can issue a citation to anyone believed responsible for depositing litter in the city. 00 or up to ten days' imprisonment, or both, with community service, up to four eight-hour days, available in place of jail time.
Each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense. Beyond the criminal penalty, section 58-119 lets the director of public works enter the property, correct the condition directly, and bill the owner or place a lien on the land, and section 58-120 lets the city sue to recover its litter removal costs.
Violations & Fines
A conviction under section 58-132 carries a fine up to $1,000.00 or up to ten days in jail, or both, under section 58-118, with court-approved community service (up to four eight-hour days) offered in lieu of jail. Each day the dumped material remains is treated as a new offense, and the city can separately bill or lien the property for its cleanup costs under sections 58-119 and 58-120.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
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