Ascension Parish, LA Code Violation Reporting: Common Violations (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing body
- Administrative hearing officer appointed by parish president
- Base fine range
- Up to $500 per violation, up to $500 per day
- Minimum administrative cost
- $100 per finding of violation
- Repeat offense
- Fine doubles within 1 year, triples after
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Ascension Parish only
- Governing chapter
- Code of Ordinances Ch. 2, Art. VIII
Summary
In unincorporated Ascension Parish, Code of Ordinances Sec. 2-152 defines a 'violation' to include building codes, zoning, planning, vegetation, housing, blighted-property, dangerous-structure and nuisance ordinances. An appointed administrative hearing officer decides these cases under Sec. 2-157 and can levy fines up to $500 per violation and per day under Sec. 2-160.
Violation shall encompass all ordinances, including but not limited to building codes, zoning, planning, vegetation, housing, blighted properties, dangerous structures and nuisance ordinances. ... (d)Fines and penalties. Fines and penalties may be assessed up to five hundred dollars ($500.00) per violation and up to five hundred dollars ($500.00) per day for continuing violations.
Full Breakdown
The parish council created this hearing-officer system by ordinance of May 7, 2009, now Article VIII of Chapter 2. Hearing officers must be Louisiana-licensed attorneys of at least ten years' standing who have not represented or done business with the parish within the prior two years; the parish president appoints them and the council confirms. Under Sec. 2-157 the officer decides alleged violations of building codes, zoning, vegetation and nuisance ordinances, fire code, environmental regulations, historic district rules and any licensing or permit violation the council assigns.
Sec. 2-160 sets a minimum $100 administrative cost on any finding of violation, on top of fines and penalties of up to $500 per violation and up to $500 per day for a continuing violation; costs can also include the parish's actual expenses such as photographs, video, subpoena service and attorney fees. Sec. 2-164 doubles the fine for a repeat violation of the same or similar ordinance within one year of a final finding, and triples it for repeats after that; a respondent cited more than three times in three years faces whatever additional penalty the officer finds warranted.
The officer may also order repair or correction (Sec. 2-159), seize movable property involved in a violation (Sec. 2-161), refer an animal to Animal Services (Sec. 2-162), suspend or revoke any parish permit (Sec. 2-165), and impose community service alongside a fine (Sec. 2-167). Enforcement officers may also refer a matter directly to the district attorney (Sec. 2-154). Sec. 2-166 states there is no intended exemption from these violations, penalties, rules or regulations.
Violations & Fines
A finding of violation carries a mandatory minimum $100 administrative cost plus a fine of up to $500 per violation and up to $500 per day it continues, assessed by the hearing officer separately from any court penalty. Repeat violations within one year double the fine; later repeats triple it, and three or more violations in three years lets the officer set whatever penalty the case warrants. The officer can also order repairs, seize movable property, or revoke a parish permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a code violation in unincorporated Ascension Parish?
How much can the fine be for a parish code violation?
Who enforces these violations in Ascension Parish?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ascension Parish
Compare Ascension Parish to another location·View the Louisiana code violation reporting overview
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