Bossier Parish, LA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Section 18-3 of the Bossier Parish Code declares it a violation for the owner of property in the unincorporated parish to allow a structure, including a mobile home, or any portion of one, to exist in a dilapidated, obsolete, fire-hazard or abandoned condition that threatens public health, safety or welfare. The section creates a Property Standards Board made up of the members of the Police Jury sitting in that capacity. Before the board can act, the parish administrator may enter the property to inspect and, based on a written report, the board must serve the record owner written notice at least ten days before a hearing where the owner can show cause why the structure should not be condemned; in a genuine public emergency the board can act on 24 hours' notice and hold demolition for 48 hours to allow an owner to seek a restraining order.

If the board finds a violation after the hearing, it can order the structure demolished, removed or sealed, or let the owner repair or seal it within a deadline set out in the written order. An owner or occupant can appeal to the 26th Judicial District Court within five days by filing a petition alleging the order is illegal or improper, and the order is suspended while that appeal is pending, except during a declared emergency. If an owner does not comply or loses on appeal, the parish can carry out the demolition, removal, repair or sealing itself and recover every cost, plus a 15 percent administrative charge and attorney, engineering and inspection fees, as a lien and privilege recorded against the property, enforceable in district court or added to the property's tax bill.