The city proposes sharp increases to blight fines, plans AI-powered crackdown on code violations

The city proposes sharp increases to blight fines, plans AI-powered crackdown on code violations

BATON ROUGE - It's been at least two decades since the city changed it's blight fees and fines. The city is looking to increase fines for violations related to grass, garbage, and unsecured residential properties.

Tall grass is one of the most common blight calls. Development Director Rachael Lambert says the city spends significant time and money to abate tall-grass violations.

"If you own property in this parish, we expect you to maintain it," said Lambert.

It's why the mayor's office is looking to increase first-offense fines for tall grass and weeds from $125 to $300. If offenses for the same property continue, those fines could reach $1,000.

"Hopefully it will deter people from maintaining blight in the parish and understand that we're serious about that and there will be significant penalties.

Property owners with a large pile of trash or debris in their front yard would see fines jump from $125 to $500 a first offense. If a property owner has left their property unsecured, they can expect to pay more for that too. Commercial property owners are already feeling the changes.

In May...