Legal: How do I find East Baton Rouge City/Parish Ordinances

The East Baton Rouge Parish Code of Ordinances is maintained here:

East Baton Rouge Parish Code of Ordinances

You can also access the code by going to the city parish's website, http://www.brgov.com, and finding the link to the code on the bottom, left-hand side.

Searching the Code

There are several ways to search through the Code.  The first is by browsing the table of contents. 

Let's use an example to illustrate this search method.  Let's say that you saw someone clinging to a moving vehicle while he or she was riding a bicycle, and you want to know if this is specifically prohibited.

1. First, go to the left-hand side of the Code of Ordinances website and select the menu item that says "Code of Ordinances City of Baton Rouge"
2. Next, scroll down to the title "Traffic Code" select this and a new list will appear
3. Scroll down through this list of Chapters to Chapter 20: Operation of Bicycles and Play Vehicles select this link
4. Continue scrolling through the section headings until you reach section 11:227 Clinging to Vehicles (City)

5. Selecting this heading will give you the text of the ordinance (looks like clinging is not legal) the year the ordinance was enacted, and any related state laws.

Searching using search terms

You can also search through the code using search words.  Let's use another hypothetical situation. Let's say that there are some nuisance animals in your subdivision and you'd like to know if it is permissible to keep them out of your yard using a barbed wire fence.  You have no idea where this would be addressed in the Code.

1. First, at the search box type in the terms "Barbed Wire Fence"
2. Next, scan the results on the right hand side of the screen
3. The first result comes from the miscellaneous title of the code.
4. Clicking on the first link reveals a prohibition on electrified and barbed wire fences within the city parish limits with a few exceptions.  So, it's probably a good idea to seek legal counsel before you begin digging post holes.