Baton Rouge Blight Court Fined Property Owners
Property owners faced financial penalties for failing to secure buildings cited for code violations.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Property Crime
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Baton Rouge property owners were assessed fines at Blight Court for failing to secure neglected structures. Inspectors cited the sites for issues including open building violations and broken windows.
Why it matters
The city uses these court hearings to address blighted properties that pose safety risks to the local neighborhood. Enforcing these fines aims to compel owners to secure their vacant buildings or face escalating daily costs.
Property owners were issued fines of $500 for open building violations and $150 for unsecured residential property. Non-compliance after 30 days will trigger an increase to $1,000 per day in fines.
The players
Collis Temple
He is a property owner who received fines for violations at the Louisiana New School Academy and a residential property on East Drive.
Summer Grove Apartments
This is a residential complex located on Florida Boulevard that has been vacant since closing in 2025.
The details
City inspectors identified unsecured entry points and broken windows at properties including the Louisiana New School Academy and the Summer Grove Apartments. The property owners failed to attend the court date to contest these findings.
Timeline
Summer Grove Apartments closed in the spring of 2025.
Blight Court held a hearing on October 1, 2026.
Legal Context
This enforcement action aligns with local municipal codes that hold owners accountable for the physical security of their vacant real estate. These measures reflect a city-wide effort to reduce property blight by increasing the financial risk associated with neglecting maintenance.
These court rulings signal that the city is actively pursuing owners of neglected buildings to address safety concerns in surrounding neighborhoods. Residents living near cited properties may see future improvements in site security and building maintenance.
The takeaway
Property owners are responsible for maintaining and securing vacant buildings to prevent safety hazards. Failure to address these code violations in court results in immediate fines and the potential for significant daily financial penalties.
What happens next
Fines for the Louisiana New School Academy and the Summer Grove Apartments will automatically escalate to $1,000 per day if the structures remain unsecured after the 30-day compliance deadline following the October 1, 2026 hearing.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts to address property neglect in the Property Crime section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WBRZ.
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