Frequently Asked Questions

Citizen Complaints

Citizen complaints regarding code violations may be reported to the Nuisance Abatement office by phoning (985) 873-6563 or by using the on-line complaint form. The location and type of violation are vital. The goal of the Division is to inspect a complaint within 72 hours and attempt to achieve compliance within 6 weeks in most instances.

Inspection and Notification Process

The inspector conducts an investigation of the property to determine whether or not a code violation exists that is enforceable under the nuisance ordinance. If a code violation is verified, a warning notification of the violation is served upon all owners requesting the violation is corrected within a specified time frame. At the end of this period, the inspector will inspect the property to determine whether or not the violation has been corrected. If the violation has not been corrected and the property owner has not requested an extension of time, then a citation with escalating fines will be issued. Extensions of time to correct the violations are limited and require a plan of abatement and continuous progress.

The owners of properties where violations occur more than once during the year or same/successive growing seasons will receive citations with escalating fines following the initial warning notification.

Abatement and Billing Procedures

In code enforcement, the objective is abatement of the code violation. If the property owner fails to abate a nuisance violation, the Parish may elect to abate the violation.

When the Parish expends any funds in the abatement of any nuisance, the Director of Finance, or his/her designee, shall notify, the person against whose property the costs were incurred of said costs. The Director of Planning & Zoning shall certify the costs incurred in abating the nuisance and administratively processing the nuisance to the Finance Department, together with a description of the property. The person notified shall have 30 days from the mailing of said notice within which to pay the costs of abatement to TPCG. If the person so notified fails to pay the costs of the abatement within 30 days, the Finance Department shall immediately, upon the receipt of this information, enter an assessment in the appropriate books of the Parish to be kept for that purpose; and upon the entry of this assessment a lien will attach to the property.

Appeal Procedures

With the exception of condemnation proceedings, every hearing for the adjudication of a contested charge of nuisance violation under the authority of this chapter shall be held before the Nuisance Hearing Panel.

To request a hearing before the Nuisance Hearing Panel, you are encouraged to submit a written request outlining your dispute to:

Code Enforcement Officer
c/o Planning & Zoning Department
P.O. Box 2768
Houma, LA 70361

For more information, please call the office.