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

Article II of Chapter 26 of the Vermilion Parish Code controls vegetation and offensive accumulations in formally dedicated subdivisions. Sec. 26-40 defines tall grass as weeds or other vegetation more than 12 inches in height when measured perpendicular to the ground. Ornamental vegetation and agriculture plants are excluded. A subdivision is a tract subdivided into lots, primarily for residential or commercial purposes, formally dedicated according to law and accepted by the parish police jury. A buffer zone is the land adjacent to and within 30 feet of a subdivision.

Sec. 26-41 makes two acts unlawful. Under subsection (a), the owner of any property in a formally dedicated subdivision cannot permit tall grass to grow or allow trash to accumulate on the property or on any sidewalk abutting it. Under subsection (b), the owner of buffer zone property cannot do the same. Trash covers refuse, garbage, debris, abandoned or junk cars or other vehicles, rubbish, shopping carts, litter and any deleterious, discarded or noxious matter. Acreage outside a dedicated subdivision and its buffer zone falls outside this article.

Sec. 26-43 lays out the civil route. The parish sends notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, or serves it through a deputized agent, or publishes it once in the official journal when the owner cannot be found. If the owner has not corrected the violation within ten working days, parish crews or an authorized contractor can enter and remedy it. The owner is charged for labor, equipment, contractor cost and notice expenses, plus an administrative fee of $100.00 for the first violation, $250.00 for the second and $500.00 for the third. Unpaid charges 30 days after invoicing become a lien filed with the recorder of mortgages and are added to the annual ad valorem tax bill. An owner cited twice loses the right to further notice.

Sec. 26-44 lets the Police Jury waive the article on written application, weighing the location of the lot, the condition of adjoining lots and whether the lot was ever cleared. The jury holds sole discretion.