Lafayette Parish, LA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- 1st offense fine
- $25.00
- 2nd offense fine
- $50.00
- 3rd+ offense fine
- $100.00 each
- Coverage
- City + unincorporated parish
- Citation
- Code Sec. 74-41
Summary
Lafayette City-Parish bans removing recyclables from curbside bins without authorization, fining scavengers $25 for a first offense, $50 for a second, and $100 for each violation after that.
(a)No person, other than the owner or occupant of the residential unit on which the items are placed, or a contractor authorized by LCG, shall remove, pick up or transfer recyclables left at curbside in a container for solid waste or a container for recyclables...(1)Upon first conviction...the person shall be fined $25.00 per violation.(2)Upon second conviction...$50.00 per violation.(3)Upon third and subsequent convictions...$100.00 per violation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government Code Sec. 74-41 makes it unlawful for anyone besides the residential unit's owner/occupant or an LCG-authorized contractor to remove recyclables left curbside in a solid-waste or recyclables container. Each removal counts as a separate violation: $25 for a first conviction, $50 for a second, and $100 for every conviction after that. The rule runs across the code's 'service area' -- both the City of Lafayette and the unincorporated rural parish -- but not Broussard, Carencro, Duson, Scott, Youngsville or Milton, which run their own separate collection programs outside this code.
Violations & Fines
Removing recyclables from a curbside bin without authorization: $25 for a first conviction, $50 for a second, $100 for each conviction after that, charged per item removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone take recyclables out of my curbside bin?
Does this recycling rule apply outside the City of Lafayette?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lafayette Parish
Compare Lafayette Parish to another location·View the Louisiana trash & recycling overview
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