reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:140.203. Metropolitan planning commission; creation and appointment

RS 33:140.203 - Metropolitan planning commission; creation and appointment
A.(1) The police jury of Calcasieu Parish and the city council of one or more municipalities in the parish may create a commission, through a joint cooperative agreement, to be known as the Calcasieu Parish Metropolitan Planning Commission. The commission shall consist of not less than eleven nor more than fifteen members who shall be residents and qualified voters of Calcasieu Parish and who shall be appointed by the participating parties according to the terms of the agreement.
(2) After the initial joint cooperative agreement, the city council of one or more additional municipalities may enter into a joint cooperative agreement for planning and zoning as provided in this Section and shall become a participating municipality.
B. The agreement shall provide for the term of each member of the commission.
C. Any vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term by the appointive authority, which also shall have the authority to remove a member appointed by such appointive authority for cause stated in writing and after public hearing.
D. Members may receive compensation in the manner and amounts provided by the agreement.
Acts 2003, No. 1168, §1, eff. July 2, 2003.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:140.204. Grant of power

RS 33:140.204 - Grant of power
For the purpose of promoting the public health, safety, morals, convenience, order, prosperity, and general welfare, the city council of a participating municipality and the police jury of Calcasieu Parish are hereby empowered, in accordance with the conditions and the procedures specified in this Subpart, to regulate the location, height, bulk, number of stories, and size of buildings and other structures, the percentage of the lot which may be occupied, the sizes of yards, courts, or other open spaces, the density of population, and the uses of buildings, structures, and land for trade, industry, residence, recreation, civic activities, and other purposes, within the municipality in the case of a participating municipality and within that part of Calcasieu Parish within the metropolitan planning area but outside any incorporated municipality in the case of Calcasieu Parish.
Acts 2003, No. 1168, §1, eff. July 2, 2003.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:140.205. The zoning plan

RS 33:140.205 - The zoning plan
Whenever the planning commission recommends to the city council of a participating municipality and to the police jury of Calcasieu Parish a zoning plan, including both the full text of a zoning ordinance and the map or maps, representing the recommendations of the planning commission for the regulation by districts or zones of the location, height, bulk, number of stories, and size of buildings and other structures, the percentage of the lot which may be occupied, the size of yards, courts, and other open spaces, the density of population, and the uses of buildings, structures, and land for trade, industry, residence, recreation, civic activities, and other purposes, then the city council and the police jury may exercise the powers granted for the purpose as provided in R.S. 33:140.204 and, by ordinance, may divide the participating municipality or that part of the parish within the metropolitan planning area outside any incorporated municipality, as the case may be, into districts or zones of such number, shape, and area as it may determine and, for such purposes, may regulate the erection, construction, reconstruction, conversion, alteration, and uses of buildings and structures and the uses of land. All such regulations shall be uniform for each class or kind of building throughout each district, but the regulations in one district may differ from those in other districts.
Acts 2003, No. 1168, §1, eff. July 2, 2003.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:140.206. Method of procedure

RS 33:140.206 - Method of procedure
A. Before approving and recommending the zoning ordinance or any amendment thereto, the commission shall hold a public hearing thereon, at least ten days notice of the time and place of which shall be published in the legal journal of the parish. If approved by the commission, the zoning ordinance, including the map or maps, may from time to time be amended; but no amendment shall become effective unless it first be submitted to and adopted by the city council of the area affected or the police jury, as the case may be.
B. The commission shall hold a public hearing, at least ten days notice of the time and place of which shall be published in the legal journal of the parish, on any matter pertaining to the enforcement or administration of the zoning ordinance.
Acts 2003, No. 1168, §1, eff. July 2, 2003.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:140.207. Zoning; exceptions; variances; appeals

RS 33:140.207 - Zoning; exceptions; variances; appeals
A. The joint agreement and any ordinance adopted pursuant thereto may provide and specify general rules to govern procedure for granting exceptions or variances under this Section which rules shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Subpart.
B. The zoning ordinance may provide that the planning commission may permit special exceptions to the zoning regulations in the classes of cases or situations and in accordance with the principles, conditions, safeguards, and procedures specified in the ordinance and grant special exceptions, provide interpretations of the map, and make decisions upon other special questions as specified in the ordinance. The ordinance may also authorize the commission to interpret the zoning maps and pass upon disputed questions of lot lines or district boundary lines or similar questions as they arise in the administration of the zoning regulations. The ordinance may also authorize the commission to grant a variance from the strict application of the zoning regulations where no other procedure for obtaining relief is specified in the ordinance and where due to exceptional topographic conditions or other extraordinary and exceptional characteristics of a specific piece of property, the strict application of regulations would result in peculiar and exceptional or undue hardship upon the owner of such property, provided such relief may be granted without substantial detriment to the public good and without substantially impairing the intent and purpose of the zoning plan and zoning ordinance. The decision of the commission on any request for such an exception or variance or on an appeal from an administrative determination by a local board or agency shall not be subject to appeal to any other body.
C. Any request for a change in the text of the zoning ordinance or in the classification of property as delineated on the zoning map shall be submitted to the planning commission for review. If the commission approves such a request it shall make its recommendation to the city council of the affected municipality or to the police jury in the case of an area outside an incorporated municipality. Any such change shall become effective only if approved by the affected city council or the police jury, as the case may be. If the commission rejects such a request and so recommends to the affected city council or the police jury, as the case may be, the person requesting the change may appeal the decision of the planning commission to the affected city council or the police jury, as the case may be, and the change shall become effective only if the city council or police jury, as the case may, approves such change.
Acts 2003, No. 1168, §1, eff. July 2, 2003.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:140.211. Findings, declaration of necessity and purpose

RS 33:140.211 - Findings, declaration of necessity and purpose
It is hereby found and declared that:
(1) It is the policy of the state to promote the sound growth and development of parishes and municipalities by enabling them to undertake the correction of deficient conditions, factors, and characteristics through a comprehensive master plan with coordinated community development, the formulation, participation in, and adoption of public and private improvement programs related thereto, and the encouragement of participation in such efforts by private enterprise.
(2) It is the policy of the state to enable the governing body of parishes and municipalities to promote the safety, health, morals and welfare, comfort and security of the people of the state through the provision of adequate, safe, and sanitary accommodations and facilities incidental or appurtenant thereto, for persons and families of all income levels.
(3) It is the policy of the state to promote a vigorous and growing economy, to prevent economic stagnation, and to encourage the creation of new job opportunities, to increase revenues to the state and to its parishes and municipalities and to achieve stable and diversified local economies. In furtherance of these goals, it is the policy of the state to enable the governing authority of parishes and municipalities to retain existing zoning and planning initiatives, and to develop sites, reasonably accessible to residential facilities, for new performing art and commercial building, in hopes that industrial and commercial development of the area will proceed in sound fashion and in coordination with smart growth development of housing, mass transportation and public services.
Acts 2016, No. 620, §1, eff. June 17, 2016.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:140.212. Definitions

RS 33:140.212 - Definitions
The following terms wherever used or referred to in this Chapter shall have the following meanings unless a different meaning is clearly indicated in the context:
(1) "Governing body" means the legislative body, commission, council, board of aldermen, police jury, or other body charged with governing the parish or municipality.
(2) "Master plan" means the comprehensive plan of the parish or municipality.
(3) "Smart growth development" means one or more works, undertakings and activities for the development, redevelopment, improvement, construction, rehabilitation or conservation of structures, facilities and appurtenances in an area which is intended to result in a new community including the activities to carry out a new community development plan which may do the following:
(a) Mix land uses together.
(b) Create a range of housing opportunities and choices.
(c) Create walkable neighborhoods which include schools and grocery stores.
(d) Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place.
(e) Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas.
(f) Provide a variety of transportation choices.
Acts 2016, No. 620, §1, eff. June 17, 2016.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:141. Authorizing special election to change parish boundary

RS 33:141 - Authorizing special election to change parish boundary
Whenever the police jury of any parish passes an ordinance changing a boundary line between it and any adjoining parish, it shall serve the president of the police jury of the adjoining parish with a copy of the ordinance. If the police jury of the second parish concurs in the object and purposes of the ordinance, both police juries shall pass ordinances providing for special elections to be held in both parishes within sixty days from the passage of the ordinances.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:142. Police jury to arrange for special election; appointment of commissioners and clerk

RS 33:142 - Police jury to arrange for special election; appointment of commissioners and clerk
All qualified electors in the two parishes may vote at the special election. The police juries of the respective parishes shall appoint for each polling place three commissioners and one clerk of election (all of whom shall be registered voters); designate the polling places; and provide the ballot boxes, ballots and necessary blanks for tally sheets.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:144. Counting ballots; promulgation of result

RS 33:144 - Counting ballots; promulgation of result
On a day and hour fixed by the police juries before the holding of the election, these bodies shall in public session, within three days after the holding of the election, open the ballot boxes, examine and count the ballots, canvass the returns and declare the result of the election, which result shall be promulgated by publication in one issue of the official journal of each parish.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:151. Petition for annexation of territory

RS 33:151 - Petition for annexation of territory
Whenever one-third in number and value of the bona fide owners of any lots or land, lying contiguous and adjacent to the territorial corporate limits of any city or town, the city of New Orleans excepted, desire that such lots or land be annexed to and included in the territorial corporate limits of any such adjacent and contiguous city or town, so as to constitute a part thereof, or whenever one-fourth in number of the bona fide owners of any lots or land, lying contiguous and adjacent to the corporate limits of any city located in the parish of Rapides desire that such lots or land be annexed to and included in the territorial corporate limits of any such adjacent and contiguous city or town, so as to constitute a part thereof, they shall present to the mayor and governing body of such city or town as constituted by law, by whatever name called, a petition in writing signed by them, setting forth their desire that such lots or land shall be annexed to and included in the territorial corporate limits of such city or town, so as to constitute a part thereof, and therein also fully setting forth the boundaries and accurate description of such lots or land which they desire to be annexed to and included in the territorial corporate limits of such adjacent and contiguous city or town.
Amended by Acts 1970, No. 286, §1; Acts 1972, No. 126, §1; Acts 2011, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 20, §1, eff. June 12, 2011.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:152. Proces verbal and plat of survey

RS 33:152 - Proces verbal and plat of survey
Such petition shall be accompanied with a proces verbal and plat of survey of such lots or land desired to be annexed to and included in the territorial corporate limits of such city or town made by the parish surveyor of the parish in which the city or town is situated. Such survey and proces verbal and plat thereof, to be first made by such surveyor for such purpose, shall set forth the boundaries and accurate description of such lots or land desired to be so annexed, and shall be by such surveyor certified to be correct.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:153. Recording proces verbal and plat of survey; ordering election in area to be annexed

RS 33:153 - Recording proces verbal and plat of survey; ordering election in area to be annexed
Upon presentation as provided in R.S. 33:151 and 33:152, the petition and proces verbal and plat of survey shall be recorded and transcribed upon the public record-book wherein the ordinances or official proceedings of the municipal authorities are usually recorded, and also permanently preserved among the official records of the city or town. The municipal authorities may then order an election to be held by the qualified electors residing in and upon the lots or land proposed to be annexed to such contiguous and adjacent city or town, submitting the proposition, to be voted on at such election, whether they desire that such lots or lands shall be annexed to and included in the territorial corporate limits of such contiguous and adjacent city or town.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:154. Notice of election

RS 33:154 - Notice of election
A. Any election shall be held under the general election laws and preceded by a notice of ten days or more in one or more newspapers published in such city or town, or if there is none, by posting as required in sheriff's and constable's sales. The notice shall set forth specifically the manner in which such election is to be conducted and the boundaries and description of such lots or land proposed to be annexed to and included in the corporate limits of such city or town. It shall designate the polling place and the names of the commissioners of election, as well as the manner of counting the votes and making the returns.
B. In addition to the requirements of Subsection A of this Section, in the parish of Ascension, at least thirty days prior to an election held pursuant to this Section, the municipal governing authority shall provide written notification of the upcoming election to the governing authority of the parish.
Acts 2022, No. 223, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:156. Returns of election; recording returns; proclaiming result

RS 33:156 - Returns of election; recording returns; proclaiming result
The returns of the election shall be made to the municipal authorities of the city or town within forty eight hours after the closing of the polls at the election. Such returns shall likewise be recorded and transcribed in the public record book wherein the ordinances or official proceedings of the municipal authorities are usually recorded; and also permanently preserved among the official records of the city or town. The municipal authorities shall within ten days thereafter make public proclamation of the result of such election by publication for ten days in one or more newspapers in the city or town, or if there be none by posting as required in sheriff's and constable's sales.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:157. Election in municipality annexing territory

RS 33:157 - Election in municipality annexing territory
After the expiration of the publication of the result of the election, if a majority in number and value of the qualified electors residing in and upon the lots or land proposed to be annexed to and included in the territorial corporate limits of the city or town, voting at such election, have voted in favor thereof, the municipal authorities of the city or town may then order an election to be held under the general election laws by the qualified electors residing within the corporate limits of the city or town as theretofore established, submitting the proposition to be voted on at such election, whether they consent to such proposed annexation to the corporate limits of the city or town.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:157.1. Municipal governing authority of Rapides Parish; authority to annex

RS 33:157.1 - Municipal governing authority of Rapides Parish; authority to annex
In Rapides Parish, after the expiration of the publication of the result of the election, if a majority in number of the qualified electors residing in and upon the lots or land proposed to be annexed to and included in the territorial corporate limits of the city or town, voting at such election, have voted in favor thereof, the municipal authorities of the city or town may then accept or reject such proposed annexation to the corporate limits of the city or town. The election provided for in R.S. 33:158 through 33:161 shall not be required in the parish of Rapides.
Added by Acts 1972, No. 126, §2.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:158. Notice of election in municipality

RS 33:158 - Notice of election in municipality
Such election shall likewise be preceded by a notice of ten days in one or more newspapers published in the city or town, or if there be none by posting as required in sheriff's and constable's sales. The notice shall likewise set forth specifically the manner in which the election is to be conducted and the boundaries and description of such lots or land proposed to be annexed to and included in the territorial corporate limits of the city or town, and also designate the polling place and the names of the commissioners of election, as well as the manner of counting the votes and making the returns.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:160. Returns of election; recording returns; proclaiming result; effect of vote favoring annexation

RS 33:160 - Returns of election; recording returns; proclaiming result; effect of vote favoring annexation
A. The returns of such election shall be made to the municipal authorities of the city or town within forty-eight hours after the closing of the polls. The returns of election shall be likewise recorded and transcribed in the public record-book wherein the ordinances or official proceedings of the municipal authorities are usually recorded; and the municipal authorities shall within ten days thereafter make public proclamation of the result of such election by publication for ten days in one or more newspapers published in the city or town, or if there be none, by posting as required in sheriff's and constable's sales; and if a majority in number and value of the qualified electors residing in the territorial corporate limits of such city or town as theretofore established and constituted, voting at such election, have voted in favor of the proposed annexation of such lots or land, the lots or land proposed to be annexed, shall, from the expiration of the proclamation of the result of the election, be annexed to, included in and constitute part of the corporate limits of the city or town and be subject to the jurisdiction, control, and authority of the municipal authorities of the city or town as fully, and to all intents and purposes as if, the same had been originally included in the corporate limits thereof.
B. The municipal governing authority shall furnish, by electronic medium, the registrar of voters and the secretary of state a copy of all municipal ordinances annexing territory within fifteen days after adoption of such ordinances, as well as a map and written description of all newly annexed territory. If the municipal governing authority does not have the ability to submit the information required by this Subsection by electronic medium, the governing authority shall submit the information by certified mail or commercial courier.
C. As used in this Section, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them by this Subsection:
(1) "Commercial courier" means any foreign or domestic business entity having as its primary purpose the delivery of letters and parcels of any type which acquires a signed receipt from the addressee, or the addressee's agent, of the letter or parcel upon completion of delivery and has no direct or indirect interest in the outcome of the matter to which the letter or parcel concerns.
(2) "Electronic medium" means by electronic mail or facsimile.
Acts 1986, No. 669, §2; Acts 2016, No. 294, §1, eff. May 31, 2016.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:172.2. Municipal governing authority of Westlake; authority to annex

RS 33:172.2 - Municipal governing authority of Westlake; authority to annex
Notwithstanding any provisions of this Part or any other law to the contrary, the governing authority of the city of Westlake may annex property, not to exceed twenty acres, which is not contiguous or adjacent to the city by means of annexation of such property and a right of way corridor connecting the property and the municipality. Such annexation may be accomplished by ordinance as provided in this Part; however, if there are no registered voters in the area to be annexed, the required petition shall also contain the written assent of the owners of a majority of the acreage of the property to be annexed and the written assent of the owners of property in the area equal in value to at least twenty-five percent of the value of the property to be annexed.
Acts 1993, No. 266, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:172.3. City of Crowley; authority to annex

RS 33:172.3 - City of Crowley; authority to annex
A. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary and in addition to the authority granted by this Part, the governing authority of the city of Crowley may, in the manner provided in this Part, annex property based on petition with the written consent of the owners of a majority of the acreage or square footage of the property to be annexed together with the written assent of the owners of the property in the area equal in value to at least twenty-five percent of the value of the property to be annexed whenever there are no resident owners or registered voters residing in the area proposed to be annexed.
B. As used in the Section, "owners" includes corporations, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, and all other legal entities recognized by the laws of the state.
C. This Section shall be deemed and construed to be an additional grant of authority to the city of Crowley to annex property when there are no resident owners or registered voters residing in the area to be annexed.
D. Nothing in the Section shall be deemed or construed to limit or restrict the existing authority of the city of Crowley to annex property.
Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 13, §1, eff. April 18, 2002.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:173. Effective date of ordinance enlarging boundaries

RS 33:173 - Effective date of ordinance enlarging boundaries
The ordinance enlarging the boundaries of the municipality shall not become operative until thirty days after it has been published once in a newspaper having general circulation therein. If there is no newspaper published in the municipality or having general circulation therein, written copies of the ordinance shall be posted in three public and conspicuous places in the municipality and same shall not become operative until thirty days after the posting.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:175. Peremption of right to attack ordinance

RS 33:175 - Peremption of right to attack ordinance
A. If no suit is filed within the thirty-day period, or if no appeal is taken within the legal delays from a judgment of the district court sustaining the ordinance, same shall then become operative and cannot be contested or attacked for any reason or cause whatsoever.
B. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Subpart, an ordinance enlarging the boundaries of a municipality cannot be contested or attacked based on the inadequacy of the notice after the passage of five years from the date of its enactment, and the implementation and operation of such an ordinance for that period shall be adequate notice of its existence.
C. The periods established by this Section are peremptive and apply to any and all purported rights and causes of action to contest or attack an ordinance enlarging the boundaries of a municipality for any reason or cause whatsoever, except for any rights or causes of action under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended.
Acts 2005, No. 227, §1, eff. June 29, 2005.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:177. Consolidation of suits to contest enlargement or contraction of boundaries

RS 33:177 - Consolidation of suits to contest enlargement or contraction of boundaries
Any number of persons interested in contesting the enlargement or contraction of the boundaries of a municipality may join in one suit for the purpose of appealing to the district court from the ordinance adopted with reference thereto, and one bond by one of the litigants shall be sufficient if it otherwise complies with the laws. When more than one suit has been brought for either of said purposes, the district judge shall order them consolidated and tried as one suit.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:178. Ordinance defining territory excluded or included and description of boundary as changed required to be filed with clerk of district court

RS 33:178 - Ordinance defining territory excluded or included and description of boundary as changed required to be filed with clerk of district court
A. Where the boundaries of a municipality have been enlarged or contracted, the ordinance with reference thereto must define with certainty and precision the territory which is proposed to be included in or excluded from the corporate limits, as the case may be. The ordinance need not contain a description of the entire boundary of the municipality as changed, but, within ten days after the adoption of the ordinance, a description of the entire boundary of the municipality as changed shall be filed by the clerk of the municipality with the clerk of the district court of the parish in which the municipality is located. Such description so filed shall become the official boundary of the municipality on the effective date of the ordinance.
B. Whenever the boundaries of the city of Shreveport have been enlarged or contracted, a description of the entire boundary of the municipality as changed shall be filed as provided for in Subsection A of this Section with the clerk of the district court of Caddo Parish, and the description filed in Caddo Parish shall become the official boundary of the city on the effective date of the ordinance. Whenever any of the territory included or excluded by a change in the boundaries of the city of Shreveport is located in Bossier Parish, the description shall also be filed with the clerk of the district court of Bossier Parish.
C. Each municipal governing authority shall furnish, by electronic medium, the registrar of voters and the secretary of state a copy of the municipal ordinance enlarging or contracting the boundaries of the municipality within fifteen days after adoption of such ordinance, as well as a map and written description of the entire boundary of the municipality as changed. If the municipal governing authority does not have the ability to submit the information required by this Subsection by electronic medium, the governing authority shall submit the information by certified mail or commercial courier.
D. As used in this Section, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them by this Subsection:
(1) "Commercial courier" means any foreign or domestic business entity having as its primary purpose the delivery of letters and parcels of any type which acquires a signed receipt from the addressee, or the addressee's agent, of the letter or parcel upon completion of delivery and has no direct or indirect interest in the outcome of the matter to which the letter or parcel concerns.
(2) "Electronic medium" means by electronic mail or facsimile.
Amended by Acts 1964, No. 499, §1; Acts 1978, No. 304, §1; Acts 1985, No. 411, §1; Acts 2016, No. 294, §1, eff. May 31, 2016.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:179. Rights of residents and owners of included territory

RS 33:179 - Rights of residents and owners of included territory
Where the corporate limits of municipalities have been extended or enlarged as hereinabove provided, the annexed territory, the inhabitants thereof, and the owners of property therein shall enjoy as to themselves and their property all the rights, immunities, and privileges granted and enjoyed by the citizens of the municipality to which the territory has been annexed.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:180. Ordinance to annex territory owned by a public body

RS 33:180 - Ordinance to annex territory owned by a public body
A. The governing body of any municipality other than the city of New Orleans may, by ordinance, enlarge the boundaries of the municipality to include territory within which all of the land is owned by a state agency, political subdivision, or public body, but only upon petition of the governing body of the agency, political subdivision, or public body owning the land which is to be so included. Except as otherwise provided by this Section, the governing body of the municipality may, in its discretion, upon majority vote thereof, adopt such an ordinance without the necessity of compliance with any of the procedures of advertisement, petition by residents, public hearing, or other procedures set forth in this Subpart.
B. No municipality may annex the paved portion of a public road without including in such annexation all property adjacent to at least one side of the road, the paved portion of which is included in the annexation. At the discretion of the Department of Transportation and Development, the paved portion of an interstate highway right-of-way may be excluded from the annexation without the annexation being considered non-contiguous.
C. A municipality may annex a portion of the right-of-way of a public road as a corridor connecting other property which is not contiguous to the municipality but which is to be annexed without including the property adjacent to the corridor. Any annexation pursuant to this Subsection shall be in accordance with the following:
(1) The municipality shall, by certified mail, notify the state agency or political subdivision which owns the road proposed to be annexed at least thirty days prior to the introduction of the ordinance proposing such annexation.
(2) The petition or written consent of the state agency or political subdivision must be received by the municipality prior to the adoption of the ordinance.
Added by Acts 1964, No. 289, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1304, §1; Acts 2012, No. 594, §1, eff. June 7, 2012; Acts 2012, No. 794, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:191. Contiguous municipalities in same parish may consolidate

RS 33:191 - Contiguous municipalities in same parish may consolidate
Any two contiguous municipalities, lying in the same parish, may consolidate and become one municipality in the manner provided in this Subpart. For this purpose municipalities separated only by a river or other stream or body of water not more than two miles in width shall be deemed to be contiguous.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:193. Consolidation election to be ordered upon motion of governing body or upon petition of voters

RS 33:193 - Consolidation election to be ordered upon motion of governing body or upon petition of voters
The governing body of each municipality may order a consolidation election upon its own motion. Upon the presentation to the governing body of a petition, signed by twenty-five per cent of the qualified voters of the municipality, requesting a consolidation election, the governing body shall order such election. In the event of the failure, refusal, or neglect of the governing body to comply with such a petition within ten days after its presentation, any two of the qualified signers of the petition may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for a writ of mandamus or other appropriate remedy to compel the governing body and its members to comply.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:194. Ordinance ordering consolidation election

RS 33:194 - Ordinance ordering consolidation election
A consolidation election shall be ordered by ordinance. The ordinance shall set the date for the election, which shall be not less than thirty days nor more than sixty days from the date of its adoption. The ordinance shall set out the names of the municipalities the consolidation of which is proposed, the object of the election, and the name by which the consolidated municipality is to be known.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:195. Publication of ordinance

RS 33:195 - Publication of ordinance
An ordinance calling a consolidation election shall be published once a week in each of three consecutive weeks in the official journal of the municipality, or if there be none, in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality, the first publication to be at least twenty-one days prior to the date fixed for the election. In the event that there is no official journal or newspaper of general circulation in the municipality, publication shall be made by posting copies of the election ordinance in three public and conspicuous places in the municipality at least twenty-one days prior to the date set for the election.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:196. Affected municipalities to hold elections within six months

RS 33:196 - Affected municipalities to hold elections within six months
It shall not be necessary that the consolidation elections in each of the municipalities affected be held at the same time; but no consolidation election shall be effective unless the municipalities affected have voted on the question within six months from the date of the first such election.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:198. Ballots

RS 33:198 - Ballots
The ballots to be used shall be in substantially the following form:
Shall _______________________________ (name the municipalities) be consolidated and become one municipality, to be known as ______________________________________________?
(Name of the proposed new municipality).
For consolidation __________________
( )
Against consolidation _______________
( )
Each of the municipalities involved shall bear the expense of its own election.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:199. Returns; publication; ordinance defining boundary

RS 33:199 - Returns; publication; ordinance defining boundary
The returns of a consolidation election and the results thereof, shall be made by the election officials to the governing body of the municipality. The governing body shall canvass the returns and declare the results of the election by ordinance which shall be published once within ten days after its passage. The publication shall be in the official journal of the municipality or if there be none, in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality or, if there be none, by posting copies of the ordinance in three public and conspicuous places in the municipality. Within ten days after the second consolidation election has been held, the governing body of the larger municipality shall, if both municipalities have voted for consolidation, adopt an ordinance defining with certainty the entire boundary of the consolidated municipality and shall publish same once as above provided.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:200. Governor's proclamation

RS 33:200 - Governor's proclamation
Promptly after publication of the ordinance declaring the consolidation election result in the second municipality, if both elections favor consolidation, certified copies of ordinances proclaiming the result shall be transmitted by the governing authorities of the respective municipalities to the Governor, who, within ten days after their receipt, shall issue his proclamation declaring that consolidation of such municipalities has been completed and accomplished and declaring, in accordance with R.S. 33:201, when consolidation shall become effective.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:201. Effective date of consolidation

RS 33:201 - Effective date of consolidation
Consolidation which has been approved as provided in the preceding Sections shall take effect upon the date of expiration of the regular terms of office of the elective officers of the constituent municipality having the least population, and the terms and authority of such officers shall thereupon cease.
The qualified voters of the constituent municipalities shall participate in the next regular municipal election of the consolidated municipalities.
When the consolidation becomes effective, all local boards, committees, commissions or other bodies of the smaller municipality shall cease to function.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:202. Charter and ordinances of larger municipality to remain in force

RS 33:202 - Charter and ordinances of larger municipality to remain in force
When a consolidation becomes effective the constituent municipalities shall consolidate and become one municipality under the name set forth in the election ordinances. The charter or other laws for the government of the constituent municipality having the largest population shall be the charter or the laws for the government of the whole of the consolidated territory until modified or repealed.
The ordinances, resolutions, and other measures of the constituent municipality having the largest population according to the last preceding federal census, shall remain in force and shall extend to and be enforced throughout the whole of the consolidated territory, but all ordinances, resolutions and other measures of the lesser municipality shall cease to be operative when consolidation takes effect, except zoning ordinances therein which shall remain in effect until repealed, modified, or amended by the governing body of the consolidated municipality.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:203. Officers and employees of larger municipality to serve

RS 33:203 - Officers and employees of larger municipality to serve
The officers and employees of the municipality having the larger population, shall, from the effective date of the consolidation, serve and act as the officers and employees of the consolidated municipality. The officers and employees of the smaller municipality shall be released.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:204. Rights and liabilities of constituent municipalities; taxation

RS 33:204 - Rights and liabilities of constituent municipalities; taxation
The new municipality shall, when a consolidation becomes effective, be vested with all the rights and properties of the municipalities of which it was formed, and shall be responsible and liable for all contracts, debts and obligations of such municipalities. But the taxable property in one constituent municipality shall not be taxed to provide for payment of the bonds or other funded debt of another. The governing body of the consolidated municipality shall levy on the taxable property in each constituent municipality any special taxes for the term and at the rate previously authorized therein to provide for the payment, exchange or refund of any outstanding bonds or other funded debt of such municipality.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:205. Collection of taxes

RS 33:205 - Collection of taxes
The taxes levied or imposed by one of the constituent municipalities, remaining outstanding and unpaid, and all other moneys due and owing such municipality when the consolidation becomes effective shall be collected by the new municipality and shall be applied to the purposes for which raised or owing, and if not raised or owing for a specific purpose, shall be applied to the reduction or payment of the bonded or other indebtedness, if any, of the constituent municipality.
Proceedings pending to endorse the payment or collection of taxes in any of the constituent municipalities shall be carried to completion by the proper officers of the new municipality; and all taxes theretofore levied by any of the constituent municipalities shall be valid and effectual as if originally levied and assessed by the officers of the new municipality. The governing body of the new municipality may perform all necessary acts to confirm and effectuate such levies.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:206. Transfer of funds and other property

RS 33:206 - Transfer of funds and other property
Immediately upon the consolidation becoming effective, the officers having custody of the funds of the lesser municipality shall deliver same into the custody of the proper fiscal officer of the new municipality, who shall acknowledge delivery by giving his receipt therefor.
The mayor or other chief executive officer of the new municipality shall supervise and direct the transfer of all personal property, books, papers, vouchers, or other documents belonging to the constituent municipalities, to the proper officers of the new government. He shall also cause a complete inventory to be made of all assets, real and personal, thus received by the new government.
An independent audit and settlement of the account of officers of the constituent municipalities shall be made forthwith.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:207. Permits and licenses

RS 33:207 - Permits and licenses
Permits and licenses granted to any place or person by any of the constituent municipalities shall, subject to their conditions, remain in full force and effect and be recognized by the new municipality until the expiration of the term for which they were granted. But this Section shall not be construed to prevent the revocation of any such permit or license before its expiration in the manner provided by law.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes › §33:208. Suit pending wherein constituent municipality a party

RS 33:208 - Suit pending wherein constituent municipality a party
No suit, action, or proceeding pending in any court or before any board or department, wherein one of the constituent municipalities is a party, or in which it is interested, or by the determination of which it might be affected, shall abate by reason of the consolidation, but the new municipality shall be substituted in the place and stead of such constituent municipality, and the suit, action, or proceeding shall continue as if the consolidation had not taken place.