Could you please tell me who to get in touch with for an unoccupied run-down house with a huge hole in the back door and the grass has not been cut?

Sure.

You should contact the city of Lake Charles’ Permit Center, which reviews construction plans; issues electrical, plumbing and other permits; inspects buildings; and investigates building and property standards violations.

The number is 491-1294.

Property standards

Under Section 10-25.1 of the city’s code of ordinances, property owners must keep their land free of “trash, garbage, rubbish, or any junk, discarded or abandoned appliances, auto parts, metals, iron, or any other discarded or abandoned items … unless said materials are located within a duly designated junk or salvage yard.”

Additionally, the code says that people who own or occupy five acres or less in the city must keep grass and weeds cut to less than 12 inches if the land “can be maintained or cut by a standard bush hog, tractor, lawnmower, etc.”

The provision also applies to abutting sidewalks, banquettes, fence lines, and neutral ground or lot lines.

“For a violation to occur, the grass, weeds, brush or underbrush should be within ten feet of any lot line, be on a pile or accumulation of materials … or cover at least 25 per cent of any given area of property, said determination to be made at the sole discretion of the inspector,” reads the code.

“Any down tree closer than ten feet to any property line, public right-of-way or street shall be a violation and shall be removed at the owner’s expense.”

Keep in mind that the city can’t always act immediately to remedy violations — especially during the summer, a city official told The Informer last year.

“During the rainy, summer months, our Property Standards Division usually becomes backlogged with lawn maintenance violations,” Terry Magnon, Lake Charles’ city inspection supervisor, said last July.

“After a property in question is reviewed by a city inspector, the property owner is notified of the ordinance violation through certified mail or publication in the American Press, and then a 10-day notice must legally be given.

“After notice is given, then a lawn maintenance professional is contracted to bring the property into standards compliance.”

Online: www.cityoflakecharles.com.

The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com.