The Civic Association now has a Zoning Committee, chaired by Bob Skapura, to look into complaints about zoning violations. If you need to contact the committee or wish to volunteer your services, you can do so by using the form on our Contact page.
Single Family Zoning
The homes in the University Hills are zoned A1 Single Family Residential. The City-Parish A1 zoning restrictions prohibit more than two unrelated persons from residing in a single-family home. If the owner resides on the premises, a total of four unrelated persons may reside in the home. For more information, click here.
(The Unified Development Code is available here. Property information, including existing parcel zoning, can be found here.)
How to report a violation of A1 zoning
If you think that a house in our neighborhood is in violation of the A1 zoning, you should file a complaint by contacting the 3-1-1 Call Center. Also, you should confirm the violation by making a record of vehicle license plates parked at the property over the course of two weeks. Photographs of the cars parked around house in question are also helpful. The city-parish will investigate the complaint and send the property owner an affidavit that he must fill out stating who lives at the property. If the owner is in violation, then he will be required to remedy the situation or face prosecution in court.
Also, if you report a rental property to the city-parish, please let us know by using the form on our Contact page.
If you are selling your home, please inform all potential buyers of this zoning information.
Check the links below for more information on how to handle particular problems.
See Unified Development Code, Sec.8.201, Ch2 & 6.7(c).
City Parish Planning Commission (maps)
Baton Rouge Residential Traffic Calming Initiative (PDF, 12 MB)
Abandoned houses
Litter and blight
Noise
The City-Parish Code prohibits a person from making any loud noises which are offensive, render enjoyment of property uncomfortable or interfere with public peace and comfort, which includes use of vulgar language, playing the radio loudly or sounding a car horn, except as required by law. The ordinance against disturbing the peace also includes appearing in an intoxicated condition. Violation of these ordinances is punishable by a fine of between $100 and $500. To report a violation, call the police at 389-2000. You must give your name, address and phone number in order for the police to respond and write a report. The report allows for a record to be kept of repeat offenders. It is also a good idea to call the owner. Please be courteous to the police and tell them you live in University Hills.
See Code of Ordinances, Sec.12:100, 101, Sec.13:103.
Parking
The City-Parish Code of Ordinances establishes certain parking restrictions, which include:
Do not park on the front lawn or sidewalk.
Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
There is a time limit to parking on the street – not longer than 9 hours in a 24-hour period from 6 am of one day to 6 am of the next.
Do not block traffic.
Do not block a driveway.
Do not park within 25 feet of an intersection.
Parking in the wrong direction is prohibited.
To report a violation, call the traffic police division at 389-3874.
See Code of Ordinances, Sec.11:415,416,418,421,423.
Pets
According to the City-Parish Code of Ordinances (TITLE 14, ANIMALS, CHAPTER 2. KEEPING OF DOMESTICATED ANIMALS, PART I. DOGS AND CATS):
Dogs must be confined at all times either in the owner's home or fenced yard or on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
If your dog becomes a nuisance, you may be fined. Examples of a nuisance would be running at large, attacking other people or animals, chasing cars, making excessive noise, turning over garbage cans or damaging, soiling or defecating on property other than the owner's.
If your pet has been seized or you need help with you pet, you can contact the Animal Control and Rescue Center
Please be a responsible pet owner. Don't let your dog rampage through the neighborhood.
We are indebted to Louis Castaing for this fine summary of basic zoning regulations governing our neighborhood.