The title of this part shall be known as the "Land Development Code for the Livingston Parish, Louisiana." This part may also be cited as the "Land Development Code" or the "LDC."

Unless otherwise stated or where the context of the provision clearly shows a different intent, the provisions of chapter 1 under part II of the Code of General Ordinances shall apply to the chapters contained in this part.

Reasonable fees to offset the costs of administration of this part may be set by resolution of the Parish Council, from time to time, unless state law requires them to be established by ordinance.

(a)

Where general requirements of a provision under the Code of General Ordinances or the Land Development Code conflict with a specific requirement of a provision under the Land Development Code, including, but not limited to, building regulations, flood damage prevention, historic district regulations, manufactured and mobile homes, planning, subdivision regulations, and zoning, then the provision concerning the specific requirement under the Land Development Code shall prevail.

(b)

In the event that a provision or requirement under the Code of General Ordinances or the Land Development Code in any way conflicts with another provision or requirement under the Land Development Code, then the more stringent provision or requirement shall prevail.

Any violation of this Part will be punished by the fines and criminal provisions set forth in chapter 1, Section 1-8 of this Code. In particular, a violation of this chapter will be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or imprisonment for not more than thirty (30) days in jail. Each day a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense and fine. Violations can also be enforced by a civil action brought by the Parish in district court. Any commercial enterprise that violates the provisions of this part and ignores a written ten (10) day cease and desist order from the Parish Director of Public Works or Parish Director of Homeland Security will have their occupational license revoked and their certificate of occupancy cancelled. In a civil action, the Parish can be granted a judgment ordering the close of a commercial enterprise, an order to disconnect utilities, and/or a lock out or closing of any driveway or doors to any building. If a civil action is necessary to enforce this part, then any violator will also be held to pay the court cost and attorney's fees of the Parish. In any civil enforcement action required to enforce any provision of this part, the Parish can also recover the fines set forth above up to the maximum allowed by law and obtain a civil judgment against the violator for the amount of the fines assessed in addition to the cost and attorney's fees expended by the Parish.

The Director of Public Works and Director of Homeland Security are authorized to engage Uniformed Code Enforcement Officers to issue court summons' to offenders to appear in District Court, said officers may or may not be deputized by the Sheriff. Code Enforcement Officers shall also deliver "stop work orders" and "cease and desist letters" and have the authority to enter private property to enforce the Land Development Code.

(Code 1983; LPO 17-19, 5-25-2017; LPO 22-56, 12-8-2022; LPO 23-17, 5-11-2023)