Many residents don’t understand what is meant by the terms “public nuisance” and “blight”.  Generally, they refer to properties that are vacant and in a state of disrepair.  Generally blight is in worse condition than public nuisance.  Below is a description of what is usually meant by those terms.  This is a summary, not a legal definition.  For the legal definition, see Chapter 28 of the City code, available on the code enforcement main page.

Public Nuisance

A property can be considered a public nuisance if:

• There is a significant amount of trash or garbage on the lot.
• There are plants or weeds above 18 inches.
• There are abandoned automobiles, building material, discarded appliances, machinery or furnishing.
• It could be a hazard to children because of the condition of its foundation, the condition of the slab, abandoned machinery, unsecured building materials, uncovered holes or uncovered excavation.
• There are conditions that could allow vermin infestation.
• There are objects that can hold standing water.
  

Blight

A property can be considered blight if:

• It is chronically vacant.
• There are unresolved code violations for unsafe, unsanitary or unhealthy conditions.
• It has been declared a fire hazard.
• It is lacking in facilities or equipment required by the Housing Code of the City of New Orleans.
• It has been deemed “demolition by neglect” pursuant to section 84-108 or 84-208 of the City Code.
• It has a substantial negative impact on the health, safety, or economic vitality of a neighborhood.
• It is a vacant lot that is abandoned, does not meet the requirements of the City Code or has been adjudicated.
• There is a vermin infestation.