Knowledge Base

“Blight” is defined in the Baton Rouge Code of Ordinances as “conditions upon or affecting premises, which are hazardous to the health, safety or welfare of the public, and/or conditions which are detrimental to property values, economic stability, or to the quality of the environment. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to, the following: the accumulation of junk, trash, garbage, litter, refuse, rubbish, appliances, debris, combustible materials, or junked inoperable vehicles (vehicles which are ten (10) years old or older, in such a state of deterioration that they cannot be profitably restored and which have a fair market value of five hundred dollars ($500.00) or less); illegal dumping; noxious weeds; overgrown vegetation; infestation of insects, vermin or rodents; animals running at large; dilapidated structures; condemned properties; abandoned adjudicated properties; criminal violations; weed liens; zoning violations; alcohol beverage control violations; health code violations; and other conditions which are hazardous to public health, safety or welfare.”

The City-Parish takes issues involving blighted property very seriously, which typically involves an accumulation of junk, trash or debris as a result of neglect either in the front or back yard of a property. Another common example of blight is an inoperable vehicle that resides on a property. Reported issues involving blight go through a process known as “blight court” whereby a judge makes determinations involving guilt of a property owner to allow blight to be created or remain on his or her property – a process through which penalties include up to $500.00 in fines and/or imprisonment for up to 30 days, as well as an offense punishable as a misdemeanor.

If you are a property owner, please take special care to ensure your property does not realize or maintain any such conditions outlined above considered to be blight. If you are a citizen looking to report a potential instance of blight, please contact 3-1-1.