SEC.
(A) Injures or endangers the health, safety or well-being of others; or
(B) Essentially interferes with, obstructs or tends to obstruct or renders dangerous for passage
any public or private street, highway, sidewalk, stream, ditch or drainage; or
(C) Injures, damages, threatens to damage or tends to depreciate the value of any public or
private property; or
(D) Essentially interferes with the right of privacy within ones home or unreasonably interferes
with the use of ones residential property, including sounds and noises as enumerated in
Section 14-002.00(e); or
(E) Actually causes, or imminently threatens to cause, material and substantial disruption within
the community or is an invasion of the rights of others, including sounds and noises as
enumerated in Section 14-002.00(f).
SEC.
The following acts and/or omissions and the maintaining, using, placing, depositing, leaving or
permitting to be or remain on any public or private property of any of the following items, conditions
or actions are hereby declared to be and constitute a nuisance; provided, however, these enumera
tions shall not be deemed nor construed to be conclusive, limiting or restrictive:
(A) Noxious weeds and other rank vegetation.
(B) Accumulation of rubbish, trash, refuse, junk discarded or abandoned major appliances, such
as refrigerators, freezers, ranges, or other machinery, metal, tin and/or other discarded or
abandoned materials, metals, lumber or other things, on any vacant lot, or any portion of any
occupied lot, neutral ground, street, sidewalk, drainage way or any public or private right of
way. (Amended by Ord. No. 05-1175, adopted 08/04/2005)
(C) Any condition which provides harborage for rats, mice, snakes and other vermin.
(D) Any building or other structure which is in such a dilapidated condition that it is unfit for
human habitation, or kept in such an unsanitary condition that it is a menace to the health of
people residing in the vicinity thereof, or presents a more than ordinarily dangerous fire
hazard in the vicinity where it is located.
(E) All noises and sounds, including animal noises, that are unreasonably loud and intrusive,
raucous, jarring or disturbing and which essentially interfere with the right of privacy within
ones home or unreasonably interfere with the use of ones residential property, which is
defined to include single-family, duplex or multifamily dwellings, nursing homes, outpatient
surgical facilities and similar facilities.
(F) All noises or sounds that are unreasonably loud and intrusive, raucous, jarring or disturbing
and which actually cause, or imminently threaten to cause, material and substantial
disruption of the activities of such places as schools, courts, churches or businesses.
(G) All obnoxious and/or dangerous odors and stenches, as well as the conditions, substances or
other causes which give rise to the emission or generation of such odors and stenches.
(H) The carcasses of animals or fowl not disposed of within a reasonable time after death.
(I) The pollution of any public well or cistern, stream, lake, canal or body of water by sewage,
dead animals, creamery, industrial wastes or other substances.
(J) Any building, structure or other place or location where any activity which is in violation of
local, state or federal law is conducted, performed or maintained.
(K) Any accumulation of stagnant water permitted or maintained on any lot or piece of ground.
(L) Dense smoke, noxious fumes, gas, soot or cinders, in unreasonable quantities.
(M) Contractor's rubble, defined for the purposes hereof as the residue from construction,
building demolition or razing of parts or the whole of structures and the residue of "do it
yourself" repairs or other like operations including excavation.
(N) Building debris which is defined for the purposes hereof as plaster, roofing, concrete,
brickbats, sand, discarded electrical wiring, lumber, pipes and fixtures resulting from
construction repair, renovation or remodeling of any building, structure or appurtenance
thereto.
(O) Camps, buildings and structures determined to be unsafe or dangerous by the St. Tammany
Parish Chief Building Official.
(P) The placing of fill material comprised in whole or in part of asphaltic and/or asbestos roofing
shingles on any lot, place or area situated on Lake Pontchartrain or any waterway which has
a current flow and is designated as a river or bayou on any official map of the State of
Louisiana or any other body of water, depression or bed, whether or not there is a current
flow present or water present within its bank, when such stream is identifiable on any
official map of the State of Louisiana and the directional course of said stream indicates a
discharge of water into Lake Pontchartrain, to deposit or place, or to permit the deposition or
placement on such lot, place or area, or upon any river bank or seashore said lot, place or
area any fill material comprised, either entirely or partly, of asphaltic and/or asbestos roofing
shingles.
(Q) Tree cuttings and other associated debris in public or private drainage ways, drainage
servitudes, ditches or natural or man-made canals.
(R) The placing, throwing, sweeping, depositing or blowing of grass clippings, pine needles, pine
cones, shrubs, brush, cut timber, the trimmings or clippings from hedges, shrubs, and/or other
landscaping plants or trees, or any other yard debris, onto a public road or into any natural or
manmade drainage channel, canal, easement, or roadside ditch. Any individual and/or company that
is engaged in the business or regular activity that is commonly referred to as a landscape
maintenance or grass cutting business shall be responsible to collect and properly dispose of all
clippings, trimmings and/or other yard debris, rather than causing it, or allowing it to become,
deposited on the roadway or into the drainage channel, canal, easement or roadside ditch.
(Ord. 05-1175, adopted 08/04/2005)
SEC.
(A) Except as provided in (D) herein below, the burning of leaves and yard debris, such as pine
needles, pine cones, shrubs, brush and cut timber shall not be a violation of this Chapter, provided
that:
(1) The fire area shall not be greater than eight (8) feet in diameter;
(2) The height of burning materials shall not be greater than four (4) feet;
(3) Burning shall only occur between sunrise and one hour before sunset;
(4) The fire site shall not be unattended;
(5) A functional water hose shall be located next to the fire site;
(6) The fire site shall be located at least 10 feet from the nearest property line;
(7) There shall be no more than one (1) fire site per homesite or parcel of land;
(8) The fire site shall be located at least fifty (50) feet from any structure, if nearer than
fifty (50) feet from a structure a container must be used;
(9) The fire shall not emit dense smoke, noxious fumes, gas, soot or cinders in unreasonable
quantities so as to violate Section 14-001.00 above.
A violation of any of the above restrictions may result in the fire site being considered a nuisance
under this chapter.
(B) The above restrictions shall not apply in the event that the controlled fire or open burning of
leaves and yard debris, as stated herein, is located a distance of one thousand (1000') feet or more
from the nearest dwelling.
(D) Prohibited. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (A) herein above, the provisions of
Section 8-018.01 or any other provision, the burning of leaves and yard debris, such as pine
needles, pine cones, shrubs, brush and cut timber in Council District 4 is strictly prohibited.
(Amended by Ord. No. 05-1213, adopted 12/01/2005)
SEC.
Whenever a nuisance is found to exist within the Parish, the sheriff, enforcement officers of
the Parish Department of Planning and Permits, the parish health officer and the Chief of the applica
ble Fire Protection District, or any of their duly designated representatives, shall have the authority
to give written notice to abate the nuisance to the owner or occupant of the property upon which
such nuisance exists or upon the person causing or maintaining the nuisance. Where the nature and
circumstances of a particular nuisance violation warrants immediate enforcement, the sheriff's office
may arrest or issue a misdemeanor summons in lieu of the notice to abate. In addition, an enforcing
official shall have the authority to summarily abate any nuisance which, by its nature, creates an
immediate hazard to life and/or property.
SEC. 14-005.00 Contents of Notice
The notice to abate a nuisance issued under the provisions of this Article shall contain:
(A) An order to abate the nuisance or to request a hearing within a stated time, which shall
be reasonable under the circumstances.
(B) The location of the nuisance, if the same is stationary.
(C) A description of what constitutes the nuisance.
(D) A statement of acts necessary to abate the nuisance.
(E) A statement that if the nuisance is not abated as directed and no request for hearing is
made within the prescribed time, the Parish will abate such nuisance and assess the cost
thereof against such person.
SEC. 14-006.00 Service of Notice
The notice to abate a nuisance shall be served as any other legal process may be served
pursuant to law.
SEC. 14-007.00 Abatement by Parish
Upon the failure of the person upon whom notice to abate a nuisance is served pursuant to the provisions of this Article to abate the same, the enforcement officer or other duly designated officer of the Parish shall proceed to abate such nuisance and shall prepare a statement of costs incurred in the abatement thereof.
Any and all costs incurred by the Parish in the abatement of a nuisance under the provisions of
this Article shall constitute a lien against the property upon which such nuisance existed, which lien
shall be filed, proven and collected as provided for by law. Such lien shall be notice to all persons
from the time of its recording, and shall bear interest at the legal rate thereafter until satisfied.
SEC. 14-009.00 Penalties
Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter; or who shall violate or fail to
comply with any order made hereunder, within the time fixed therein, shall severally for each and
every violation and noncompliance, respectively, be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of
not less than ONE HUNDRED ($100.00) DOLLARS nor more than FIVE HUNDRED ($500.00)
DOLLARS, or by imprisonment for not more than thirty (30) days, or both such fines and
imprisonment. Unless specifically provided otherwise, each day that any violation of this chapter
shall continue shall constitute a separate offense. The imposition of a penalty for any violation shall
not excuse the violation nor shall the violation be permitted to continue. All such persons shall be
required to correct or remedy such violations or defects within a reasonable time, and when not
otherwise specified, the application of the above penalty shall not be held to prevent the enforced
removal of prohibited conditions. (Amended by Ord. No. 05-1175, adopted 08/04/2005)
SEC. 14-010.00 Unhealthful Materials, Weeds, Grass, Debris
(A) It shall be unlawful for the owner of any lot, place or area within all subdivisions, within one
hundred feet (100') of all homes, business places or establishments and within one hundred feet
(100') of the exterior right of way limits of all State Highways and Parish roads or streets in the
Parish of St. Tammany, or the agent of such owner, to permit on such lot, place or area, or upon
any sidewalk abutting same, any weeds, grass, or deleterious, unhealthful growths over fifteen
inches (15") in height, trash, debris, refuse, discarded or noxious matter, that may be growing, lying
or located thereon.
(B) That the St. Tammany Parish Government, or its duly authorized representative, is hereby
authorized and empowered to notify, in writing, the owner of any lot, place of area within the Parish
of St. Tammany, or the agent of such owner, to cut, destroy and/or remove any such weeds, grass
or deleterious, unhealthful growths over fifteen inches (15") in height, trash, debris, refuse,
discarded or noxious matter, found growing, lying or located on such owner's property, or upon the
sidewalk abutting same; provided that such written notice shall be by Certified Mail, addressed to
said owner or agent of said owner, at his last known address.
(C) That upon failure, neglect or refusal of any such owner, or agent of such owner to cut, destroy and/or remove such weeds, grass, or deleterious, unhealthful growths over fifteen inches (15") in height, trash, debris, refuse, discarded or noxious matter, growing, lying or located upon such owner's property, or upon the sidewalk abutting same, within ten (10) days after receipt of the written notice provided for in the preceding section, or within ten (10) days after the date of such notice, in the event the same is returned to the St. Tammany Parish Government by the U.S. Post Office because of its inability to make delivery thereof, provided the same was properly addressed to the last known address of such owner, or agent, the St. Tammany Parish Government, or its duly authorized representative, is hereby authorized and empowered to order by Parish personnel or by contract to pay for the cutting, destroying and/or removal of such weeds, grass, or deleterious,
unhealthful growths over fifteen inches (15") in height, trash, debris, refuse, discarded or noxious
matter.
(D) That, whenever the St. Tammany Parish Government, or its duly authorized representative,
has paid for the cutting, destroying and/or removing of such weeds, grass, or deleterious,
unhealthful growths over fifteen inches (15") in height, trash, debris, refuse, discarded or noxious
matter, as set forth in the preceding section, the actual cost thereof, plus accrued interest at the
rate of eight percent (8%) per annum from the date of the completion of said work, shall be charged
to the owner of such property on the next regular tax bill forwarded to such owner by the Sheriff
and Ex-Officio Tax Collector for the Parish of St. Tammany, if not paid by such owner prior thereto,
which said charge shall be due and payable by said owner at the time of payment of such tax bill.
(E) That if the full amount due the Parish of St. Tammany is not paid by such owner within ten (10) days after the cutting, destroying and/or removal of such weeds, grass, or deleterious, unhealthful growths over fifteen inches (15") in height, trash, debris, refuse, discarded or noxious matter, as set forth in the two preceding sections; then, and in that case, the St. Tammany Parish Government, or its authorized representative, shall cause to be recorded in the Mortgage Office of the Parish of St. Tammany, a sworn statement showing the cost and expense incurred for the work and the date, place or property on which said work was done, and the recordation of such sworn statement shall constitute a lien and privilege on the property, and shall remain in full force and effect for the amount due in principal and interest, plus costs of court, if any, for collection, until final payment has been made; said costs and expenses shall be collected in the manner fixed by law for the collection of taxes, and, further, shall be subject to a delinquent penalty of ten percent (10%) in the event same is not paid in full on or before the date the tax bill upon which said charge appears becomes delinquent, sworn statements recorded in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be prima facie evidence that all legal formalities have been complied with and that the work has been properly and satisfactorily done, and shall be full notice to every person concerned that the amount of that statement, plus interest, constitutes a charge against the property designated or described in the statement and that the same is due and collectible as provided by law.
(G) The Director of Permits and Inspections, the Director of Planning and all persons appointed
as acting inspectors of the Parish of St. Tammany are empowered to serve a citation upon persons
charged with violations of any provision contained in this section or to post a notice of violation at
the place of violation.
(H) As used in this section, the term “citation” shall mean a written or printed notice served
upon the person charged with a violation. Such citation shall include, but may not be limited to, the
following information:
1) The name of the person creating the violation or the owner or person in charge of the premises at which the violation occurs,
3) A short description of the violation followed by the number and section of the ordinance
or Code article provision violated,
4) The date and place at which the person shall appear and a notice that if the person does
not respond to the citation a warrant shall be issued for such person's arrest,
5) A notice that the person charged may be represented by counsel, that he may plead
guilty or not guilty, and that he has a right to a court hearing.
SEC. 14-011.00 Prohibited Tree Cuttings and Associated Debris
It shall be unlawful for any individual, tree trimming company, public utility company or other
company, and its employees, engaged in tree trimming operations to leave or permit to remain on
any public or private drainage ways, drainage servitudes, ditches or natural or man-made canals any
tree cuttings and other associated debris. Except as otherwise provided herein, individuals, tree
trimming companies and public utility or other companies shall be responsible to contemporaneously
remove all such tree cuttings and other associated debris resulting from tree trimming operations.
(A) Emergencies: During times of emergencies, because of damage occasioned by such events
as hurricanes, tornadoes, force majeure or other catastrophic events, when such tree trimming
operations are necessary to restore such things as power, or other public utility services, tree
cuttings and other associated debris shall be permitted to remain for a reasonable time under the
circumstances. Clean-up of trees and limbs that are broken and blown over by forces such as wind
and rain or structural failure shall not be the responsibility of said utility companies or their tree
contractors. The responsibility for clean-up of trees and debris due to wind or rain or structural
failure shall belong to each respective individual property owner. However, under no circumstances
shall post storm tree trimming activities result in debris being placed in and left to remain in any
drainage way, drainage servitude, ditch or natural or man-made canal.
(B) Contemporaneous removal: Except in cases of emergencies, which shall not include pre-
storm activities, all tree cuttings and other associated debris shall be removed from the location
where the activity is being conducted contemporaneously with the tree trimming activity of that
particular day and no tree cuttings and associated debris shall be permitted to remain at the site.
(C) Notice: Whenever the public nuisance set forth in this Section exists within the parish, in
violation of Section 14-002.00 of this Chapter, the enforcing agency shall order the company
creating the nuisance to immediately remove all cuttings and other associated debris from the site.
Such order shall:
(1) Be in writing;
(2) Specify the public nuisance and its location;
(3) Specify the corrective measures required and the enforcement measures that may be
taken;
(4) Provide for compliance within ten (10) days from the service thereof; and
(E) Notice presumed from refused certified mail: For purposes of this Section, when service of
notice by certified mail has been refused, the company is deemed to have received notice in
accordance with the provisions of this section, and the ten-day period commences to run on the
date of refusal.
(F) When immediate action is required: Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent the parish,
without notice and opportunity for pre-enforcement hearing, from removing, or having removed, at
the expense of the responsible company, any cuttings or associated debris that is actually blocking
drainage or ingress and egress, or which otherwise presents an imminent threat to public safety.
(G) Requirement of bond: Any company that has been determined to have violated the provisions
of this Section, on at least two occasions, may be required to post bond, in the amount of FIVE
THOUSAND ($5,000.00) DOLLARS, which may be applied to satisfy the costs of any future
violations of this Section.
(Sections 14-001.00 - 14-011.00 Ord. 04-0943, adopted 08/05/2004)
SECS. 14-012.00 - 14-020.99. Reserved.
