§4770.6. Definitions

For purposes of this Subpart, unless the context clearly states otherwise, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) "Abandonment" shall mean giving up with the intent of never again claiming a right or interest in; to leave without intending to return.

(2) "Abatement" may include but shall not be limited to removal, cleaning, cutting, mowing, securing, boarding unoccupied buildings or structures, removing dangerous portions of buildings or structures and demolitions of dilapidated structures or abandoned buildings.

(3) "Building", when combined with other words or used alone, shall refer to any type of building, structure, residence or dwelling. "Building" shall not be interpreted or construed to mean residential and commercial structures which are under construction or which are in a substandard condition as a result of a natural disaster, an act of God, force majeure, a catastrophe, or such other occurrence over which the owner or owners have no control, except as set forth in R.S. 33:4770.7.

(4) "Dilapidated building" shall mean any building:

(a) Which is unsafe, unsanitary, unfit for human habitation, deemed uninhabitable or not provided with adequate egress.

(b) Which constitutes a fire hazard or may otherwise be dangerous to human life.

(c) Which in relation to its condition constitutes a hazard to safety or health by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence, or abandonment for a period in excess of six months.

(d) Which through neglect and injury, which exceeds the ordinary, usual, or expected maintenance of a building, lacks necessary repairs which constitutes a hazardous building.

(e) Which has been declared to constitute a public nuisance by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(5) "Party wall" or common wall shall be applied as set forth in Civil Code Article 675.

(6) "Secured building" shall mean the closing of any building by means of placing or attaching boards or other materials over doors, windows, and other entry points in order to prohibit persons from entering the building and in order to maintain it in its present condition without further damage to such building or danger to the public welfare and safety.

(7) "Unsafe building" shall mean any building which meets any or all of the following criteria:

(a) The building is likely to partially or completely collapse because of (i) dilapidation, deterioration or decay; (ii) faulty construction; (iii) the removal, movement or instability of any portion of the ground necessary for the purpose of supporting such building; (iv) the deterioration, decay or inadequacy of its foundation; or (v) any other causes.

(b) The building is likely to cause sickness or disease when sought to be used for its intended purpose because of dilapidation, decay, damage, faulty construction or arrangement, inadequate light, air or sanitation facilities, or otherwise is determined by any code enforcement officer or the building inspector or his assignee to be unsanitary or unfit for human habitation.

(c) It has been determined by the fire marshal or fire chief that the building is a fire hazard because of obsolescence, dilapidated conditions, deterioration, damage, lack of sufficient fire-resistive construction, faulty electric wiring, gas connections or heating apparatus or other causes.

(d) It has been determined that any portion of the building remaining on a site, after the demolition or destruction of such building, or whenever an unsecured building has been abandoned for a period of six months so as to constitute the building or portion thereof an attractive nuisance or hazard to the public.

(e) The building or any portion, any member, appurtenance or ornamentation on the exterior thereof is not of sufficient strength or stability, or is not so anchored, attached or fastened in place so as to be capable of resisting a wind pressure of twenty-five miles per hour.

(f) The building or any portion thereof has cracked, warped, buckled or settled to such an extent that walls or other structural portions have materially become less resistant to winds or other natural occurrences such as is required in the case of similar new construction.

(g) The building's exterior walls or other vertical structural members list, lean or buckle to such an extent that a plumb (perpendicular) line passing through the center of gravity does not fall inside the middle one-third of the base.

(h) Whenever the building, exclusive of the foundation, shows thirty-three percent or more damage or deterioration of its supporting member or members, or fifty percent or more of damage or deterioration of its non-supporting members, enclosing or outside walls or coverings.

(i) Whenever the building has been so damaged by fire, wind, flood or other natural occurrence, or has become so dilapidated or deteriorated as to become (i) an attractive nuisance to children; (ii) a harbor for vagrants, criminals or immoral persons; or (iii) as to enable persons to resort thereto for the purpose of committing unlawful or immoral acts.

(j) Whenever any building is in such a condition as to be deemed or declared a public nuisance by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(k) Whenever an owner keeps the doors and windows of a vacant building open or the building is deficient and lacking the appropriate number of walls in such a manner as to allow unauthorized entry.

(l) Whenever any building lacks illumination, ventilation or sanitation facilities adequate to protect the health or safety of the occupants or the public.

(m) Whenever a building has been unsecured for more than twelve consecutive months.

(8) "Unsecured building" shall mean any building which is not occupied by a legal or equitable owner thereof, or by a lessee of a legal or equitable owner, and into which there are one or more unsecured openings such as broken or unlocked windows, broken or unlocked doors, holes in exterior walls or roof, broken basement or cellar hatchways or other similar unsecured openings which would facilitate an unauthorized entry into the building.

Acts 2003, No. 546, §1.