East Baton Rouge Parish, LA Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Height limit
- 12 inches
- Grace period
- 2 weeks
- 1st violation fine
- $125
- 2nd violation (2 yrs)
- $250
- 3rd+ violation (2 yrs)
- $500
- Notice before city cuts
- 15 days after certified letter
- Lien term
- 10 years, cost plus 10% penalty
Summary
East Baton Rouge Parish caps grass and weeds on any lot within a recognized subdivision at 12 inches, and it cannot stay that tall for more than two weeks. Livestock land and large rural tracts are exempt. Fines start at $125 and the city can cut it and lien the property.
The owner, or his agent, or other person in control of any lot within a recognized subdivision of this city-parish shall be required to maintain his property in such a manner that grass and weeds do not reach a height of more than twelve (12) inches and allowed to remain in such condition for more than two (2) weeks. This provision shall not apply to land used for: (1) The grazing of livestock or other agricultural purpose; or (2) Tracts of land of two (2) acres or more except for any portion of the tract which is within one hundred (100) feet of any zoning district that allows for a residential use ... Whoever violates the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall pay a penalty of one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125.00) for a first violation; and upon a second violation within a two-year period, a penalty of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00); and upon a third and any subsequent violations within a two-year period, a penalty of five hundred dollars ($500.00).
Full Breakdown
Under Baton Rouge/EBRP Code Sec. 12:351, the owner, agent or other person in control of a lot within a recognized subdivision must keep grass and weeds from exceeding 12 inches, and cannot let it stay overgrown for more than two weeks. The rule exempts land grazed by livestock or used for agriculture, tracts of two acres or more (unless within 100 feet of a residential zoning district), and combinations of contiguous two-acre-plus tracts with an active building permit. If an owner ignores a certified-letter notice for 15 days, or, for property inside city limits, fails to act within 5 days of a published advertisement, the department of public works can cut the lot itself under Sec.
12:352. For repeat offenders inside the city, the director can order monthly cutting without further notice once an owner has been notified in the prior 12 months and failed to comply, after filing a supporting affidavit with photos. Under Sec. 12:353, the city can hire a contractor after bidding, then record a certificate of cost plus a 10 percent penalty (or $2, whichever is greater) with the parish recorder of mortgages as a tax lien in the Weed Cutting Lien Book. That lien runs 10 years if not reinscribed and is enforced like any other tax lien, with the same penalties, interest and attorney's fees.
Violations & Fines
A first weed violation carries a $125 fine, a second within two years is $250, and a third or later violation within two years is $500, enforced under Title 1, Sec. 1:609 et seq. Beyond the fine, the department of public works can cut the lot at the owner's expense and record the cost as a 10-year tax lien against the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can grass and weeds get on a vacant lot before it's a violation in East Baton Rouge Parish?
Is my large rural lot exempt from the weed height rule?
What happens if I don't cut the weeds after the city notifies me?
What are the fines for repeat weed violations?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in East Baton Rouge Parish
Compare East Baton Rouge Parish to another location·View the Louisiana property maintenance overview
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