St. Tammany Parish, LA Code Violation Reporting: How to Report (2026)

Section 2-541(a) sets the parish's code-violation complaint procedure. Any person can file a written complaint stating fully the cause and basis of the alleged violation. The complaint is filed with the designated administrative department that administers and enforces the Code of Ordinances for unincorporated St. Tammany Parish, or it can be referred directly to a constable. If the constable does not immediately take the complaint, the department records it, investigates promptly, and takes action as the Code directs.

During the investigation, the department determines whether the condition is a health or safety hazard, whether it sits on private or public property, whether it actually violates the Code, and which chapter and section is at issue. It also determines whether the matter is a permit violation, which routes the file differently: dangerous conditions go to the director of the department of public works under subsection (f), while building-permit violations go to the building inspector under subsection (g).

Once a violation is confirmed, Section 2-541(b) authorizes the director of permits and inspections, the directors of public works and development, and appointed acting inspectors to serve a citation or summons personally, by domiciliary service, by registered mail, or by posting a notice of violation at the site. Inspectors cannot arrest or take a violator into custody; enforcement stays administrative and, when needed, moves to the district attorney's office or a parish constable. The posted notice must state the nature of the violation, the date of posting, and the inspector's signature, and the inspector records the property description, owner's name and address, the responsible party, witnesses, and how long the condition has existed.