Tangipahoa Parish, LA Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

Section 32-22(a) states the purpose of the weeds and nuisance article is to keep cleared and developed, non-woodland property regularly mowed to prevent mice, rats, mosquitoes and other disease-carrying pests from infesting it, and subsection (b) presumes a landowner has properly maintained the property if it is mowed or bush-hogged three times a year, once each in spring, summer and fall. This purpose clause backs the enforceable rule in § 32-20(a) and (b): grass and weeds over 18 inches and property that becomes a breeding ground for rats, mice or mosquitoes are violations that trigger inspection, notice and fines.

The housing code adds a structural layer for dwellings: § 32-148(a) requires walls, partitions and supporting members, sills, joists and rafters to be free of holes or cracks that might admit rodents, and to not be excessively leaning, buckled, rotted, deteriorated or damaged. Section 32-148(g) separately requires the roof, exterior walls, floors and all doors and windows exposed to the weather to be constructed and maintained so as to be weathertight and rodent proof. Enforcement of the dwelling standard runs through § 32-151 and § 32-152: a code official's written notice of violation must give a reasonable 30 days to correct the problem, with a stated right to appeal, before the parish refers the matter for legal action.