Knowledge Base

The Baton Rouge Code of Ordinances states that it is the duty of property owners to maintain any sidewalks in front of their lot. This involves paving, repairing and keeping in repair these sidewalks, including:

1. Removing all uneven and broken sections and replacing them with materials to level the surface and make it uniform;
2. Providing sufficient drainage over and under the sidewalks to prevent the accumulation of standing water on or near the sidewalks;
3. Preventing the growth or accumulation of weeds, grass, dirt or other nuisance on the sidewalks or other adjacent grounds.

As stated in Sec. 2:172 of the Code of Ordinances, any person who violates the aforementioned provisions may be fined up to $100.00 or imprisoned for up to 20 days, or both; each day on which a violation occurs or continues shall be considered a separate offense. Property owners shall be notified of this violation by the Department of Transportation either in writing or by publication of the official journal, which is The Advocate. Such notice would be placed in the mail and addressed to the last record owner of the property. Failure to perform the outlined maintenance within 10 days of the publication of such notice, or of the time the notice is placed in the mail, will be considered a separate, additional violation.  

For more information about repairing, maintaining and constructing sidewalks, see Chapter 3, Part 2 in the Code of Ordinances.