A.

This title shall be enforced by an inspector appointed by the mayor and board of aldermen of the Town.

B.

No land or structure shall be changed in use and no structure shall be erected, altered or moved until the inspector has issued a building permit certifying that the plans and intended use of land, buildings and structures are in conformity with this title. No land or structure hereafter erected, moved or altered in its use shall be used until the inspector shall have issued a certificate of occupancy stating that such land or structure is found to be in conformity with the provisions of this title.

C.

Applications for permits under the provisions of this section shall be accompanied by a plat drawn to scale showing actual dimensions of the lot to be built on; the size, shape, and location of the building to be erected; and such other information as may be required by the inspector insuring proper enforcement of this title.

(Ord. 31-1956 § 17)

State Law reference— Enforcement of building and zoning regulations, R.S. 33:4728.

The council may from time to time, on its own motion or on petition, after public notice and hearing, amend the zones and the regulations established therefor in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 33:4725. Every proposed amendment, however, shall be first referred to the planning and zoning commission for report, and any amendment that has failed to receive the approval of the planning and zoning commission shall not be passed by the council except by three affirmative votes.

(Ord. 31-1956 § 20)

All territory which may hereafter be added to the Town shall automatically be classed as lying and being in the residence Zone A until such classification shall have been changed by an amendment as provided by law.

(Ord. 31-1956 § 21)

Any use or structure existing at the time of enactment or subsequent amendment of this title, but not in conformity with its provisions, may be continued with the following limitations:

A.

Any use or building which does not conform with this title may not be:

1.

Changed to another nonconforming use, except where the change is to a nonconforming use substantially the same or of a more restricted classification than that which existed prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title;

2.

Re-established after discontinuance for six months;

3.

Extended except in conformity to this title; or

4.

Rebuilt after damage exceeding two-thirds of its fair sales value immediately prior to damage.

B.

Any use or building which does not conform to this title may be maintained in its existing use, provided such annual maintenance cost does not exceed one-tenth of its fair sales value at that time.

(Ord. 31-1956 § 5)

A.

There shall be a board of adjustment, the membership, terms of office, and rights and duties of which shall be as provided in Title 33, Section 4727 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes. The board shall adopt rules in accordance with the provisions of this section. Meetings of the board may be held at least once a month and at such other times as the board may determine. All meetings shall be open to the public and preceded by due advertisement.

B.

The board shall hear and decide: (1) appeals from alleged error in the building inspector's decision; (2) appeals for variance where exceptional and peculiar hardship would be caused by enforcement of the regulations in this title and where such variance would not substantially derogate from the intent of this title but not otherwise; and (3) appeals for permits in special cases designated in Sections 17.12.070, 17.16.010, 17.20.010 and 17.32.010; provided, however, that the board of adjustment shall authorize permits in such special cases only after due consideration to promoting the public health, safety, convenience and welfare, including that public safety which is promoted by lessening traffic congestion in the public streets, to encouraging the most appropriate use of land and to conserving property value; and provided further that the board of adjustment shall permit no building or use detrimental to a neighborhood, and shall prescribe appropriate conditions and safeguards in each case.

C.

The word "variance" as used in subsection (B)(2) of this section shall refer only to variance in the application of height or area requirements. The board shall not be authorized to grant variances in the use of land or to take any other action, the result of which would constitute a change in the zone boundaries. The board shall always act with due consideration to promoting the public health, safety, convenience and welfare, encouraging the most appropriate use of land and conserving property value, shall permit no building or use detrimental to a neighborhood, and shall prescribe appropriate conditions and safeguards in each case.

(Ord. 31-1956 § 19)

State Law reference— Board of adjustment, R.S. 33:4727.

A.

Any person, corporation, partnership or association of persons violating any provisions of this title shall be guilty of misdemeanor and upon conviction, shall be fined not more than $25.00 or more than 30 days' jail sentence for each offense. Each day such violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.

B.

In case any building or structure is erected, constructed, reconstructed, altered or repaired in violation of this title or in violation of the plat showing the proposed lot and building to be erected thereon, the building inspector, acting for and on behalf of the Town, in addition to any other remedies, may institute appropriate civil action in the name of the Town to prevent and prohibit such unlawful erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration or repairs.

(Ord. 31-1956 § 18)