Calcasieu Parish Ordinances: Yard Waste and Drainage Rights-of-Way

There are plenty of jokes about the “seasons” in South Louisiana, but they all revolve around it being hot for most of the year! That means everyone’s favorite chore, yard work, is usually on the to-do list. 

But whether you’re cutting grass, raking leaves or pulling weeds, did you know yard work (and the waste it creates) can have a significant impact on drainage? 

In Calcasieu Parish, street-side drains, ditches and other drainage laterals are impacted by residents just as much as they are by major storms. While the parish and its municipalities maintain these systems, preventing blockages is more efficient and more effective than any amount of clearing debris. And as we all know, better drainage is imperative to flood prevention in Southwest Louisiana! 

Local Laws Governing Yard Waste

The Calcasieu Parish Code of Ordinances outlines several regulations specific to managing yard waste and associated activities, and actions like blowing leaves or grass clippings into drains, ditches or any other drainage lateral can result in serious penalties.

These actions are classified under illegal dumping or littering because the debris blocks critical drainage infrastructure, increasing flood risks for the entire community.

Understanding the Regulations

The specific rules and penalties for violating these ordinances depend on whether you are located within a municipality like Lake Charles or in an unincorporated area of the parish. Regardless of location, property owners are held responsible for violations. If someone else handles your yard work, it’s important to ensure they’re compliant when working on your property. 

Calcasieu Parish (Unincorporated Areas)

For residents outside city limits, the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury enforces strict standards to prevent the obstruction of waterways. Under Section 21-1 of the parish Code of Ordinances, depositing leaves, trash, or debris into ditches or drainage laterals is illegal. These violations are often deemed a misdemeanor, and the offender may be held responsible for damages caused to the road or drainage system.

City of Lake Charles

Inside the Lake Charles city limits, blowing leaves or yard waste into streets or storm drains is considered illegal littering under City Ordinance Sec. 13-15.1. Lake Charles requires residents to bag leaves and place them at the curb for normal garbage collection or to blow things like grass clippings back into their yards.

Enforcement and Penalties

Violating drainage regulations can come with financial consequences. Below is a breakdown of the potential fines residents may face for improper disposal of yard waste. In addition to the penalties below, some violations may be accompanied by community service requirements.

Offense	Fine	Additional Penalties
Obstructing a Waterway	$250 for first offense	Up to $500 and/or legal action for repeat offenses
Illegal Dumping/Littering	$250 to $5,000	Responsibility for system damage repairs, possible community service, and more
City Littering Violation	Up to $500 or more, depending on the specific violation	Requirement to properly bag and dispose of waste, possible community service hours, possible responsibility for system repair costs and more

How Residents Can Take Action

Maintaining our drainage laterals is a collaborative effort. Here is how you can help keep Calcasieu Parish waters from backing up:

• Properly dispose of leaves. Avoid blowing clippings into the street. Instead, bag them for yard waste collection, blow them back into your yard or use them for composting.

• Secure trash can lids. Ensure lids are tight to prevent loose debris from blowing into nearby ditches.

• Report Issues. To report violations or clarify local rules, contact the Calcasieu Parish Stormwater Hotline at 337-721-3487. You can also use the Pick It Up Calcasieu reporting tool.

Questions?

For further information or to clarify any questions related to drainage regulations, review the Calcasieu Parish Code of Ordinances online. Have specific questions or topics you’d like to see covered? Let me know!