Louisiana Grass Cutting Property Laws

Parish Laws

• According to Louisiana Revised Statute 33:1236 (21)(a)(I), parishes have the authority to institute ordinances governing grass-cutting and weed control. Generally, uncut grass on an owner's property or abutting a city sidewalk is assessed against that owner. If the owner does not remove the grass or weeds within 10 days of notification, the city may do the work and bill the property owner. Specific violations may vary by parish. For example, Jefferson Parish fines owners of property if grass or weeds are over 12 inches tall.

Notice

• According to Louisiana Revised Statute 33:1236:26, the notice provision in 33:1236 (21)(a)(I) can be waived if the parish has notified the property owner of her need to cut the grass and she has failed to do so during the previous 12 months. The parish may cut the grass once a month or at regular intervals as necessary. Prior to commencing such work, a parish official will sign an affidavit that identifies the property with a photograph clearly showing the uncut grass or noxious weeds.

New Orleans

• According to Louisiana Revised Statute 33.4753.1, owners in New Orleans allowing uncut grass or noxious weeds on their property may be sentenced to community service. The city of New Orleans will issue a summons and dispense community service in accordance with ordinances. The city will issue ten hours of work on the property for the first offense; 20 hours of work on the property for the second offense; and, upon third offense, 50 hours of work on the property or on work detail as provided by the city.

Payment

• Once the governing authority has completed the yard work, it will send the bill via registered mail or a government representative will personally deliver the bill. The parish may file a lien with the recorder of mortgages if the owner does not pay the bill within 30 days. The lien shall have the same ranking as an ad valorem (according to value) tax after 60 days of recording.

Requesting Extension

• The ability to request an extension for abatement of uncut grass varies by parish or municipality. Generally, extension requests must accompany an abatement plan that will be monitored by a government official. Fines may escalate with each violation. For example, in Terrebonne Parish, violations that occur more than once during the same year may incur increasing fines with each violation.