St. Tammany Parish, LA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Height limit
- 15 inches for weeds/grass/growths
- Covered area
- Subdivisions and within 100 ft of homes/roads
- Cure period
- 15 days after certified-mail notice
- Penalty
- $50/day fine, $500 aggregate cap
- Unpaid cost
- Tax-bill lien plus 8% annual interest
Summary
Weeds, grass, or other growth over 15 inches tall are unlawful on any lot within a subdivision, or within 100 feet of a home, business, or state or parish road, under section 26-10. Owners get 15 days' notice to cut before the parish does it and bills them.
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any lot, place or area within all subdivisions, within 100 feet of all homes, business places or establishments and within 100 feet of the exterior right-of-way limits of all state highways and parish roads or streets in the parish, or the agent of such owner, to permit on such lot, place or area, or upon any sidewalk abutting same, any weeds, grass or deleterious, unhealthful growths over 15 inches in height, trash, debris, refuse, discarded or noxious matter, that may be growing, lying or located thereon.
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 26-10(a) makes it unlawful for an owner, or the owner's agent, to permit "weeds, grass or deleterious, unhealthful growths over 15 inches in height" or trash and debris on a lot within all subdivisions, within 100 feet of any home or business, or within 100 feet of the right-of-way of a state highway or parish road or street. The parish notifies the owner by certified mail under subsection (b), and subsection (c) gives the owner 15 days from receipt (or 15 days from the date of an undeliverable, returned notice) to cut and remove the growth.
If the owner misses that window, subsection (d) lets the parish hire the cutting done and, under subsection (e), charge the actual cost plus 8 percent annual interest on the owner's next tax bill; if unpaid ten days after the work, the parish records a sworn lien statement in the mortgage office that runs with the property, plus a 10 percent delinquency penalty if not paid by the tax due date. The director of permits and inspections, the director of parish development, constables, and appointed acting inspectors are empowered under subsection (g) to issue citations, which under subsection (h) must identify the violator, the date and location, the code section violated, and the court date. S. 33:1236(21), cited in the state law reference to this section.
Violations & Fines
Beyond the cost-recovery lien, section 26-10(f) makes noncompliance a misdemeanor: a fine of not less than $50.00 per day, plus all costs and expenses of the case, though total aggregated fines cannot exceed $500.00. Each day the overgrowth continues after the 15-day notice period is a separate offense under section 1-9.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can grass legally get on my property in St. Tammany Parish?
How long do I have to cut overgrown grass after getting a notice?
What does the parish charge if it has to cut my grass for me?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Tammany Parish
How St. Tammany Parish compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Compare St. Tammany Parish to another location·View the Louisiana landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.