The Code Enforcement Department is staffed by three full-time Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Deputies. Their responsibilities include notifying residents of any code violations occurring in the unincorporated areas of the parish and working with other governmental agencies to enforce nuisance ordinances. These violations include issues like tall weeds and grass, abandoned vehicles, “bandit” advertising signs, garage sale and ‘open house’ signs in the right-of-way, and violations of the sign ordinance. Deputies might discover or receive a complaint from a concerned citizen or identify a hazard while patrolling. They take action to ensure that the hazard or violation is removed or corrected. The Code Enforcement’s primary goal is to have the property owner remedy the issue(s) before a citation is issued. Note: Deputies enforce only minimum parish standards and
cannot enforce deed restrictions or covenants, as those are civil matters, and must be enforced by the Home Owners Association or through a civil court process.
