NEW IBERIA, LA — Homeowners in New Iberia may soon face a $500 fine for blowing grass clippings, leaves, or lawn debris into public streets, sidewalks, or storm drains, following the passage of a new ordinance by the City Council on Tuesday night.
Set to take effect on August 2, the ordinance aims to reduce drainage problems caused by debris clogging the city’s stormwater system, a key factor city officials say has worsened flooding in recent years.
During the meeting, Mayor Pro Temp Ricky Gonsoulin acknowledged that the new rule may prompt public backlash but emphasized the necessity of enforcement. “Forewarning — we will get some calls, we will get some heat on this,” he said. “When they start issuing violations, it’s gonna come.”
Mayor Freddie DeCourt echoed those sentiments, noting that previous warnings and letters had failed to curb the problem. “All we do is send a letter, and it just hasn’t done anything,” DeCourt said. “I think what we’re doing is hard — it’s pretty drastic — but it’s necessary.”
Under the ordinance, residents and lawn care providers are prohibited from intentionally or unintentionally depositing grass clippings, leaves, or yard waste into public rights of way. Violators will be subject to a one-time $500 fine, enforced at the discretion of the New Iberia Police Department.
To assist residents in complying with the new rule, local officials and lawn care experts are promoting environmentally friendly alternatives such as mulching and composting.
Stuart Gauthier, a horticulture agent with the LSU AgCenter serving Iberia, St. Martin, and St. Mary parishes, highlighted the benefits of mulching grass clippings. “One of the things that the LSU AgCenter often recommends is just to mulch the clippings — put a mulching blade on your mower and let those clippings decompose and return nutrients to the soil,” Gauthier said.
He also cautioned that blowing or removing clippings can strip lawns of important nutrients, contributing to long-term soil depletion. “It’s kind of like taking money out of a bank,” he explained.
Residents seeking more information on proper lawn care and composting methods can visit www.lsuagcenter.com.
This new ordinance reflects New Iberia’s commitment to improving its stormwater system and reducing the impact of flooding on the community.