§ 24-170. Condemnation of buildings authorized.

The parish council may condemn and cause to be demolished or removed any building or structure within St. Martin Parish, Louisiana, when it is in a dilapidated and/or dangerous condition which endangers the public welfare. Such property shall be deemed "dilapidated and dangerous" if it is abandoned and:

(1)

Unreasonably causes or tends to cause substantial diminution in value of the property of others in the neighborhood or the vicinity in which such premises or building is located; or

(2)

Is unreasonably offensive to the senses of persons of an ordinary sensibility; or

(3)

Is in any way dangerous to the health and safety of others.

When used in this article, the term "blighted" shall be afforded the identical meaning as property in a "dilapidated and/or dangerous condition". Furthermore, property shall be deemed abandoned whenever it is vacant or not lawfully occupied. The terms "vacant" and "not lawfully occupied" shall include, but shall not be limited to, any premises which are not actually occupied by its owner, lessee, or other invitee or if occupied, without utilities, and which has been left unsecured or inadequately secured from unauthorized entry to the extent that the premises could be entered and utilized by vagrants or other uninvited persons as a place of harborage or any premises which by reason of dilapidation, deterioration, state of disrepair, or other such status is otherwise detrimental to or endangers the public safety, health, or welfare. Furthermore, property, which because of its physical condition or use/disuse is uninhabitable and for which ad valorem taxes are delinquent for three years or more, shall be presumed to be abandoned; however, such presumption shall be rebuttable.

(Ord. No. 18-03-1214-OR, 3-6-2018)