§5062.1. City of Plaquemine; grass and weed cutting

           A. The governing authority of the city of Plaquemine may adopt ordinances regulating or prohibiting the growth or accumulation of grass, noxious weeds, or other deleterious or unhealthful growths in accordance with the provisions of this Section. In the exercise of the authority herein granted, the governing authority may require or compel an owner of property to cut, destroy, or remove such grass, noxious weeds, or other deleterious or unhealthful growths from his property or from any sidewalk or banquette abutting his property.

           B. If an owner of property fails to cut, destroy, or remove such grass or other matter from his property or from any abutting sidewalk or banquette, the governing authority shall notify the property owner of its intent to perform such work after five days and to charge the property owner for the work. Such notice shall be given by registered mail, addressed in accordance with the tax rolls of the municipality, or served on the property owner, by domiciliary or personal service, by a representative of the governing authority.

           C. If the owner of the property fails to cut, destroy, or remove the matter within five days after receipt of such notice, the governing authority may have such grass or other matter cut, destroyed, or removed and may charge the property owner reasonable costs incurred in performing such work. The bill for the work shall be delivered by registered mail, addressed in accordance with the tax rolls of the municipality, or served on the property owner, by domiciliary or personal service, by a representative of the governing authority.

           D. Upon failure of the property owner to pay the charges within thirty days of receipt of the bill, the governing authority may file a certified copy of said charges with the recorder of mortgages, and the same, when so filed and recorded, shall operate as a lien and privilege in favor of the municipality against the property on which the work was done or against the property abutting the sidewalk or banquette on which the work was done. The lien and privilege granted under this Subsection shall have the same ranking as an ad valorem tax lien on immovable property as provided in R.S. 9:4821(A)(1).

           Acts 1995, No. 31, §1.