St. Tammany Parish, LA Code Violation Reporting: Common Violations (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Code of Ordinances ch. 26, §§ 26-1 to 26-12
- Penalty
- $100-$500 fine or up to 30 days jail
- Enforcing officials
- Sheriff, constables, planning/permits, health officer, fire chief
- Repeat violations
- Each day is a separate offense
- Coverage
- Unincorporated parish only, not city areas
Summary
Chapter 26 of the parish code defines a broad list of conditions that constitute a reportable nuisance in unincorporated St. Tammany Parish, from noxious weeds and junk to dilapidated buildings and stagnant water. A citizen complaint triggers inspection and a written notice to abate, with misdemeanor fines of $100 to $500 for noncompliance.
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 enumerations shall not be deemed nor construed to be conclusive, limiting or restrictive: (1)Noxious weeds and other rank vegetation....(4)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....(7)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....(11)Any accumulation of stagnant water permitted or maintained on any lot or piece of ground.(12)Dense smoke, noxious fumes, gas, soot or cinders in unreasonable quantities.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 12 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Section 26-2's illustrative enumeration lists the conditions code enforcement treats as violations: noxious weeds and rank vegetation, dilapidated or unsanitary buildings that are "unfit for human habitation," obnoxious odors, stagnant water accumulations, and dense smoke or noxious fumes in unreasonable quantities, among others; the list is expressly non-exclusive. Under section 26-4, the sheriff, parish constables, enforcement officers of the department of planning and permits, the parish health officer, and the chief of the applicable fire protection district all have authority to issue a written notice to abate once a nuisance is confirmed.
Section 26-5 requires that notice to state the location, describe the condition, list the corrective acts required, and warn that the parish will abate the nuisance itself and bill the owner if no hearing is requested. If the owner fails to act, section 26-7 lets the parish perform the abatement directly, and section 26-8 turns the cost into a lien against the property that accrues interest at the legal rate until paid. Prosecution runs through the parish's justice of the peace courts under section 26-12, which have concurrent jurisdiction parish-wide except that violations in Ward 8 go to Slidell City Court or the Ward 8 justice of the peace, and Ward 9 violations go to Slidell City Court. This chapter reaches only the unincorporated parish; Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, Madisonville, Abita Springs, and Pearl River enforce their own municipal codes.
Violations & Fines
Violating any provision of chapter 26 or failing to comply with an abatement order is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $100.00 to $500.00, imprisonment up to 30 days, or both, under section 26-9. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense, and the penalty does not excuse continued noncompliance: the parish can still force removal and recover its abatement costs plus interest as a property lien.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of things count as a nuisance violation in St. Tammany Parish?
Who do I report a nuisance to in unincorporated St. Tammany Parish?
What happens if a cited nuisance is not fixed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Tammany Parish
Compare St. Tammany Parish to another location·View the Louisiana code violation reporting overview
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