Ouachita Parish, LA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Chapter 24, Article II of the Ouachita Parish Code of Ordinances governs unkept grass and weeds on residential property outside the parish's municipalities (Monroe and West Monroe run their own codes and are not covered by this parish rule). Section 24-16 obligates owners of any lot in a recognized subdivision, or any parcel in a clearly established residential area fronting a state highway or parish road, to cut all grass and obnoxious weeds. A first violation carries a fine of not more than $200; a subsequent violation on the same property raises the maximum fine to $500.

Enforcement runs through the Ouachita Parish Police Jury. Under Section 24-17, the Police Jury must notify the lot owner by registered or certified letter (or other adequate notice) of a failure to cut. Section 24-18 gives the owner 15 days from receipt of that written notice to comply; if the owner still fails to cut, the Police Jury itself arranges for the grass and weeds to be cut or removed and assesses the cost against the owner. Section 24-19 requires the owner to reimburse the parish's secretary-treasurer for the actual cutting cost.

If the owner does not pay, Section 24-20 lets the Police Jury record the charge with the recorder of mortgages, creating a lien and privilege against the property. Section 24-21 adds any unpaid charge to the property's ad valorem tax bill through the parish tax collector, and Section 24-22 tacks on an additional 15 percent to that charge, with the sheriff (as tax collector) retaining the 15 percent and remitting the balance to the Police Jury's executive secretary-treasurer. Section 24-23 exempts a lot from the article if the parish director of public works determines the lot cannot be cut by a grass-cutting machine.