Lafayette Parish, LA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies
- City of Lafayette + unincorporated parish
- Enforcer
- Building official / CDP department
- Max fine
- $500 per day, per violation
- Remedy
- Placard, close, board, or lien property
- Appeal
- 15th Judicial District Court
Summary
Lafayette code officials can placard, close, and lien vacant, unsafe buildings citywide and parish-wide, with liens, boarding, and vacate orders for hazards under the Property Maintenance Code.
Where the building official determines that a building or structure is vacant and unfit for human habitation and occupancy, the building official is authorized to post a placard on the building...ordering the...premises closed up so as not to be an attractive nuisance. Upon failure of the owner to close up the building...within the time specified...the cost thereof shall be charged against the real estate...and shall constitute a lien upon such real estate.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 65).
Full Breakdown
The LCG Property Maintenance Code (Chapter 26, Article V) applies in both the City of Lafayette and unincorporated Lafayette Parish. When a building official finds a structure vacant and unfit for habitation, they can placard it and order it closed to prevent an attractive nuisance; if the owner doesn't comply, LCG closes and secures it and liens the property for the cost. Serious hazards can also trigger a vacate order or boarding under the administrative adjudication process (Sec. 26-1175).
Violations & Fines
Violations carry up to $500 per day (each day of noncompliance is a separate offense), plus recorded liens for abatement costs, attorney's fees, and hearing costs against the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this cover Broussard, Carencro or Youngsville?
What happens if I don't fix a placarded building?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lafayette Parish
Compare Lafayette Parish to another location·View the Louisiana property maintenance overview
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