§ 22-181. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Abandoned motor vehicle means any motor vehicle that is inoperable and is left unattended on public property for more than three days, or a motor vehicle that has remained illegally on public property for a period of more than three days, or a motor vehicle that has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in control of the property for more than three days.

Junked item means:

(1)

A junked motor vehicle as defined in this section.

(2)

Any unused major electrical appliance and/or parts thereof, including but not limited to washing machines, clothes dryers, refrigerators and freezers.

(3)

Machinery and/or equipment or parts thereof other than junked motor vehicles and used major electrical appliances which, by reason of deterioration through rusting, rotting, or otherwise, have become inoperable and/or unusable for the purpose for which they were intended.

(4)

Construction debris.

(5)

Waste paper boxes and crates and/or parts thereof.

Junked motor vehicle means any motor vehicle which, for any reason, is incapable, without repair, of being moved or propelled by application of internal power, and has remained situated on any real property for a period in excess of 30 days, and which exhibits one or more of the following conditions:

(1)

Deterioration by rust of the body of the motor vehicle;

(2)

Deterioration of the exterior finish of the motor vehicle;

(3)

Broken or cracked windows or windshields or headlight or any other cracked or broken glass;

(4)

Absence of component parts of the motor vehicle (such as fenders, panels, doors, door handles, window handle, steering wheel, seats, dashboard, interior door moldings, bumpers, headlights, hood, trunk door, trunk tip, trunk handle, tailpipe, wheels, grille, roof or tailgate);

(5)

Significant physical damage to the vehicle (such as dents, cracks, scrapes or holes) to component parts of the motor vehicle;

(6)

Has become the habitat of rats, mice, opossums, raccoons, or snakes, or any other rodents, vermin, or insects;

(7)

Is in such a state of deterioration that it cannot be profitably restored and has a fair market value of $500.00 or less by using the rough trade-in value shown in the most recent National Automobile Dealers Association Guide; or,

(8)

Constitutes a threat to the public health and safety in any other way because of its defective or obsolete condition.

Motor vehicle means any vehicle which is self-propelled and designed to travel along the ground, on the water, or in the air, and shall include, but not be limited to, automobiles, buses, motorbikes, motorcycles, motor scooters, trucks, tractors, go-carts, golf carts, campers, trailers, airplanes and boats. The term "motor vehicle" shall not include, and there is specifically excluded, any farm implement.

Nuisance. The maintaining, using, placing, depositing, leaving or permitting to be or remain on any public or private property of any of the following items, conditions or actions is hereby declared to be and constitute a nuisance; provided, however, this enumeration shall not be deemed or construed to be conclusive, limiting or restrictive:

(1)

The carcasses of animals or fowl that are not disposed of within a reasonable time after death.

(2)

The pollution of any public well or cistern, stream, lake, canal, roadside ditch or body of water by sewage, dead animals, creamery or industrial wastes or other substances.

(3)

Any accumulation of stagnant water permitted or maintained on any lot or piece of ground.

(4)

Dense smoke, noxious fumes, gas, soot or cinders, in unreasonable quantities.

Owner means that person who is reflected/listed in any public record as the owner of the property in question.

Parish means that area within the corporate limits of Lafayette Parish and outside the corporate limits of any city or town therein.

Policing authority means the police department, the sheriff or such other authority as is vested with police authority for the city.

Private property means any property within the city which is privately owned and which is not public property as defined in this section.

Public property means any street or highway, which shall include the entire width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained for the purposes of vehicular traffic, and shall also mean any other publicly owned property or facility.

(Ord. No. 2000-010, art. I, § 1, 4-17-2000; Ord. No. 2013-023, § 2, 1-21-2014)

Cross reference

Definitions generally, § 1-2.