An administrative official designated by the city council [board of aldermen] shall administer and enforce this ordinance. He may be provided with the assistance of such other persons as the city council [board of aldermen] may direct. If the administrative official shall find that any of the provisions of this ordinance are being violated, he shall notify in writing the person responsible for such violations, indicating the nature of the violation and ordering the action necessary to correct it. He shall order discontinuance of illegal use of land, buildings or structures; removal of illegal buildings or structures, or of additions, alterations, or structural changes thereto; discontinuance of any illegal work being done; or shall take other action authorized by this ordinance to ensure compliance with or to prevent violation of its provisions.

It is the intent of this ordinance that all questions of interpretation and enforcement shall be first presented to the administrative official and that such questions shall be presented to the board of adjustment only on appeal from the decision of the administrative official, and that recourse from the decision of the board of adjustment shall be to the courts as provided for such matters in appropriate legislature [legislation] of the State of Louisiana, R.S. 33:4727.

3.301. Building permits required. No building or other structure shall be erected, moved, added to or structurally altered without a permit therefore, issued by the administrative official. No building permit shall be issued except in conformity with the provisions of this ordinance except after written order from the board of adjustment. The lot and location of the building thereon shall be staked out on the ground and approved by the building inspector [official] before any construction begins.

3.302. Application for building permit. All applications for building permits shall be accompanied by satisfactory proof of ownership in accordance with subsection 3.302(a) and (b) below and plans in duplicate, drawn to scale of not less than one-eighth [of an] inch to one inch, showing the actual dimensions and shape of the lot to be built upon; the exact size and location of the buildings already existing, if any; and the location and dimensions of the proposed building or alteration. The application shall include such other information as lawfully may be required by the administrative official, including existing or proposed building or alteration; existing or proposed uses of the building and land; the number of families, housekeeping units, or rental units the building is designed to accommodate; conditions existing on the lot; and such other matters as may be necessary to determine conformance with and provide for the enforcement of this ordinance. One copy of the plans shall be returned to the applicant by the administrative official, after he shall have marked such copy as either approved or disapproved, and attested to same by his signature on such copy. The second copy of the plans, similarly marked, shall be retained by the administrative official.

(a)

Proof of ownership. Proof of ownership for the purposes hereof shall consist of the current years Acadia Parish assessor assessment listing together with a stamped copy of the recorded Act of Sale, Donation, Judgment of Possession or other act translative of title by which the permit applicant claims ownership of the property made the subject of the permit.

(b)

Undivided ownership. In the event that the permit applicant owns an undivided interest in the property made the subject of the permit application consisting of less than a 100 percent interest the permit applicant shall, in addition to the proof of ownership required under subsection 3.302(a) above, provide the city with a notarized "consent to issuance of permit" upon a form provided by the city evidencing the consent of all of the owners of the property made the subject of the permit application to the issuance of the permit and the work to be performed upon the property pursuant thereto.

3.303. Certificates of occupancy for new, altered or nonconforming uses. It shall be unlawful to use or occupy or permit the use or occupancy of any building or premises, or both, or part thereof hereafter created, erected, changed, converted, or wholly or partly altered or enlarged in its use or structure until a certificate of occupancy shall have been issued therefor by the administrative official stating that the proposed use of this building or land conforms to the requirements of this ordinance. No permit for erection, alteration, moving, or repair of any building shall be issued until an application has been made for a certificate of occupancy and the certificate shall be issued in conformity with the provisions of this ordinance upon completion of the work. A temporary certificate of occupancy may be issued by the administrative official for a period not exceeding six months during alterations or partial occupancy of a building pending its completion, provided that such a temporary certificate may require such conditions and safeguards as will protect the safety of the occupants and the public. The administrative official shall maintain a record of all certificates of occupancy and copies shall be furnished upon request to any person. Failure to obtain a certificate of occupancy shall be a violation of this ordinance and punishable under section 3.4, Violations.

3.304. Expiration of building permits; special building permits. If the work described in any building permit has not begun within 90 days from the date of issuance thereof, said permit shall expire and be cancelled by the administration official, and written notice thereof shall be given to the person affected. If the work described in any building permit has not been substantially completed within one year of the date of issuance thereof, said permit shall expire and be cancelled by the administrative official, and written notice thereof shall be given to the persons affected, together with notice that further work as described in the cancelled permit shall not proceed unless and until a special building permit has been obtained.

3.305. Mobile/manufactured home permit. No mobile/manufactured home may be transported into or relocated within the city, nor installed within the city unless an installation permit has been obtained, and permits will not be issued for any mobile/manufactured home which is greater than ten years in age and does not possess the seal or label issued by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Proof of ownership as provided for in subsections 3.302(a) and (b) above, shall be a prerequisite to the issuance of a mobile home installation permit.

(Ord. No. 1033, 5-12-08; Ord. No. 2050-2024, 7-8-24)

3.401. Complaints regarding violations. Whenever a violation of this ordinance occurs or is alleged to have occurred any person may file a written complaint. Such complaint stating fully the causes and basis thereof, shall be filed with the administrative official. He shall record properly such complaint, immediately investigate and take action thereon as provided by this ordinance.

3.402. Penalties for violations. Violation of the provisions of this ordinance or failure to comply with any of its requirements shall constitute a misdemeanor. Any person who violates this ordinance or fails to comply with any of its requirements shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not less than $10.00 nor more than $25.00 or imprisoned for not more than 30 days, or both, and in addition shall pay all costs and expenses involved in the case. Each day such violation continues shall be considered a separate offense. The owner or tenant of any building, structure, premises, or part thereof, any architect, builder, contractor, agent or other person who commits, participates in, assists in, or maintains such violation may each be found guilty of a separate offense and suffer the penalties herein provided. Nothing herein contained shall prevent the city from taking such other lawful action as is necessary to prevent or remedy any violation, particularly action pursuant to R.S. 33:4728, this council [board of aldermen] adopting said provisions by reference and to the same extent as if copied herein in extension.