Note: This is the third in a series on code enforcement in Calcasieu Parish. This article highlights some of our parish property standards as outlined in the Calcasieu Code of Ordinances. Remember that code enforcement is not law enforcement. There are items in our code of ordinances that may involve law enforcement, but this blog will focus on many of the the “other” things.
Part of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury’s effort to ensure our parish is a great place to live involves maintaining property standards. These standards not only support quality of life, they support property values for all residents. The Calcasieu Parish Code of Ordinances addresses a host of issues, but in this post I’ll discuss how we might help with concerns that go beyond the permit office.
Sections 6-13 and 6-16 through 6-24: Unsafe Buildings and Condemnation
The safety of buildings across the parish is one of the most visible code enforcement activities.
Section 6-13 of the code is actually an amendment, but it specifically states that buildings must be kept in safe, sanitary condition. It also places responsibility for that maintenance on the property owner.
Beginning with Section 6-16, the code lays out what happens if buildings are found to be unsafe, unsanitary, and generally a danger to the area around it. That’s when we start to discuss the condemnation process. It’s a standard process not subject to one person’s opinion. But it’s complex enough to deserve its own blog post! For more information about the condemnation process, click here.
Chapter 11: Garbage, Trash and Weeds
This is another very visible section of the code! It’s one of those things that concerns many people, so I’ll lay it out as simply as possible here.
Garbage
Keep it closed! Per section 11-2, garbage must be collected in a closed container that is waterproof, insect-proof, rodent-proof and secure. The green Waste Management cans are a good example of an acceptable garbage container. Ultimately, it’s a resident’s responsibility to ensure, to the extent possible, rodents aren’t scavenging and trash isn’t collecting all over the property.
Commercial dumpsters must be emptied regularly. If a dumpster has become so full that garbage is spilling out, that’s a code enforcement issue!
Commercial dumpsters aren’t for personal use. This includes dumpsters at parish parks, unless you’ve rented a pavilion, meeting room or other park facility and are disposing of your event’s garbage.
In the event code enforcement has to get involved in one of the above issues, the parish may remedy the problem at the expense of the property owner or other responsible party. The costs will be added to the owner’s property tax bill at the end of the year. Depending on the offense, law enforcement may also get involved, as some violations can be considered misdemeanor criminal activities.
Grass/Weeds
Cut the grass. That’s pretty simple! Now, parish inspectors won’t be out with rulers at random. The official ordinance leaves “height” at the discretion of the parish. Generally, the parish steps in when it gets at least a few feet high.
There are exceptions: Not all lots are subject to this ordinance in the same way. Some exceptions apply to agricultural lots not meant for residential use; those in a recognized industrial area; areas designated as wetlands by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and those designated as wooded lots.
Still, these exceptions may still be required to maintain their properties to a different standard. Lots located in a special overlay district (like the Nelson Corridor), for example, must still cut the grass/weeds of a 50-foot width around the perimeter of the property.
If the grass isn’t cut, the parish will do it (at the owner’s expense). Much like demolition of condemned buildings or emptying overflowing dumpsters, the parish may step in to cut grass deemed out of control. First, the parish notifies the property owner of the violation. The owner then has 15 days to remedy the situation. After that, the parish does it, and the owner will pay for it as part of the property tax bill at the end of the year.
Repeat violators are property owners who receive multiple violation notices in a single year. Beginning with the second violation in the same year, owners will have just seven days to deal with overgrown grass and weeds before the parish steps in.
Note that CPPJ recently updated the fee schedule for grass cutting. The updated fees are below.
Category | Description | Fee |
CAT A | Urban/Suburban lot, routine cutting | |
Minimum Fee | Less than 1 acre | $175 |
Maximum Fee | 1 acre or more* | $225 |
CAT B | Suburban lot (larger lots); overgrown lot | |
Minimum Fee | Less than 1 acre | $200 |
Maximum Fee | 1 acre or more* | $275 |
CAT C | Rural lot (large acreage); densely overgrown | |
Minimum Fee | Less than 1 acre | $275 |
Maximum Fee | 1 acre or more* | $375 |
Administrative Fee | Base fee | $150 |
Repeated violations within a 12-month period will incur an increase twice the base fee. | $300 | |
*Fee calculated to the next quarter acre over 1 acre |
Chapter 13: Junk and Abandoned Vehicles
Like grass, this is a hot topic! Chapter 13 of the Calcasieu Parish Code of Ordinances specifies these items as including:
Any unused major electrical appliances and/or parts thereof, including, but not limited to, washing machine(s), clothes dryer(s), refrigerator(s), freezer(s), stove(s), water heater(s), and all furniture and waste other than agricultural solid waste
Machinery and/or equipment or parts thereof other than junked motor vehicles and unused major electrical appliances which, by reason of deterioration through rusting, rotting or otherwise, have become inoperable and/or unreasonable for the purposes for which they were intended
Construction debris
Waste paper, boxes and crates and/or parts thereof
It’s usually pretty obvious what might constitute a call to code enforcement. A junked vehicle, for example, may include a vehicle without tags or with expired tags, or one that is not in working condition. But it certainly wouldn’t include one kept as an antique collectible or one currently being restored. The same could be said for appliances. If a house is being renovated and appliances remain outside for a day or two during demolition until they’re hauled off by the contractor, it’s not a code enforcement issue. If an appliance has been there so long a family of raccoons moved in…give us a call!
To report junk or abandoned vehicles or appliances, start at the Citizen Complaint Center.
Need more information?
The Calcasieu Parish Code of Ordinances is a treasure trove of information!
If you’re not sure if the code enforcement office can get involved, just ask! You may also contact the office if you have a concern and would like the office to follow up. Any one of the below options is a good way to get in touch.
Call 337-721-3625.
Fill out the online Citizen Complaint Form and email it to planning@calcasieu.gov.
Print the Citizen Complaint Form, fill it out and mail it to:
Calcasieu Parish Police Jury
Code Enforcement Division
P.O. Box 3287
Lake Charles, LA 70602
In this ongoing series, I’ll address more specific sections of the Calcasieu Parish Code of Ordinances. Have specific questions or topics you’d like to see covered? Let me know!
