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WHAT IS BLIGHT?

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Blight is a term for land that is dilapidated and hazardous to the health, safety or welfare of the public.  Blighted conditions are detrimental to property values, economic stability, and the quality of the environment.  Such conditions may include accumulation of junk, trash, garbage, litter, refuse appliances, debris, junked or inoperable vehicles, overgrown vegetation, infestation of insects, rodents, animals running at large in addition to other conditions that affect public health and safety. 

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HOW TO REPORT BLIGHT?

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Anyone can report blight to the 311 call center operated by the city of Baton Rouge. 

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A PROPERTY OWNER IS REPORTED FOR BLIGHT?

A city inspector is assigned to the case and goes out to inspect the property.  If a violation is found, the property owner will receive notification of the violation with a time frame to correct the issue.  If the issue is not corrected, the property owner will be assigned a date to appear in blight court.  The fee for blight court is $100, in addition to any fines imposed by the judge up to $1000.00 depending on the severity of the violation. 

ALL RESIDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ELIMINATING BLIGHT BY TAKING CARE OF YOUR PROPERTY.    

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WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF BLIGHT?

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ABANDONED, JUNK, OR INOPERABLE VEHICLES:  Any vehicle that is visible from the street and incapable of being lawfully driven on the streets.  This could include flat tires, wrecked or dismantled vehicles.

OVERGROWN GRASS:  Grass that has grown to 12 inches in front and/or back yard and allowed to remain in that condition for more than 2 weeks.

SWIMMING POOLS:  Pools must be properly maintained so that you can see the bottom of the pool.  The pool must be enclosed by a fence at least 5 ft. high with a gate latch that must lock automatically.  There can be no accumulation of junk and trash.

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STRAY DOGS:  Animals must be confined at all times either in the owner’s home, fenced back yard or on a leash no longer that 6 feet.

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POSTING SIGNS:  It is unlawful for any person to nail, tape, tack or attach any signs, cards, pictures or advertisement of any kind to any pole, posts, objects on the street.  It is unlawful for garage sale and lost animal signs to be posted on STOP signs.  Any person violating the ordinance can face a penalty of $125 for the first violation and increases with each additional violation. 

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WHAT IS THE CODE OF ORDINANCES?

Ordinances are laws enacted by a municipal body such as the city.  Ordinances govern matters that are not already covered by state or federal laws such as zoning, safety and building regulations.  Laws about blight are enacted by local government. Baton Rouge ordinances are governed by the Code of Enforcement.

All ordinances are enforced by the city of Baton Rouge.  The homeowners associations and crime districts do not have the authority to enforce the ordinances.