New Orleans, LA Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)

Code of Ordinances Chapter 66, Article V, Division 3 ("Weeds, Graffiti, and Hazardous Accumulations") makes it "the duty of every owner(s) of real estate within the city" to "at all times cut and mow the grass, weeds, or other deleterious or unhealthful growths on their respective property and in the space between the property line and the curbline in front, rear and alongside thereof, so that neither grass nor weeds shall rise above the height of ten inches," and to remove the cuttings (§ 66-312(a)).

The same section separately requires removal of trash and debris (§ 66-312(b)) and destruction of poison oak, poison ivy, poison sumac or similar noxious growths (§ 66-312(c)). This duty applies to vacant land as well as occupied lots -- the Home Rule Charter (§ 4-1801(2)) directs the city to "enforce municipal, state, and federal laws and regulations for the keeping of streets, vacant lots and other places free from weeds and deleterious matter," and § 66-312 is the implementing ordinance. Enforcement runs through the administrative office (code enforcement) or its designee, which issues a written correction notice under § 66-314 giving the owner five days, inclusive of weekends and holidays, from the mailing date to abate.

If the owner misses the five-day window, the city or its contractor performs the mowing/cleanup itself under § 66-315 without further notice, and § 66-316 bills the owner for the cost -- unpaid bills convert into a charge added to the property's ad valorem tax bill. Under § 66-315(c), if the city has had to abate the same property three times consecutively within a rolling 12-month period, the owner can be required to produce a current lawn-care service contract. The New Orleans Police Department retains concurrent authority to issue a summons for a § 66-312 violation, and Municipal Court of New Orleans adjudicates those summonses (§ 66-317).