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For the purposes of this Part, unless the context clearly otherwise requires or unless otherwise defined in specific portions of this Part, the following words or phrases shall have the respective meanings:

(1)  “Abandoned property” means property that is vacant or not lawfully occupied.  The term “vacant or not lawfully occupied” shall include but shall not be limited to any premises which are not actually occupied by its owner, lessee, or other invitee or if occupied, without utilities, and has been left unsecured or inadequately secured from unauthorized entry to the extent that the premises could be entered and utilized by vagrants or other uninvited persons as a place of harborage or any premises which by reason of dilapidation, deterioration, state of disrepair, or other such status is otherwise detrimental to or endangers the public safety, health, or welfare.

(2)  “Blighted property” means any commercial or residential premises, including a vacant lot, which has been declared vacant, uninhabitable, or hazardous by an administrative hearing officer acting pursuant to La. Rev. Stat. 13:2575 and 2576, or any other applicable law.

(3)  “Governing authority” means the city of New Orleans or any assignee thereof which is authorized by the municipality to carry out the purpose of this Part, or the city of Grambling.

(4)  “Notice” means the sending of written communication to a person entitled to receive notice pursuant to this Part by any of the following methods:

(a)  By means of registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to an owner at the address of the owner listed in the assessor’s office for the parish in which the abandoned or blighted property is located.

(b)  In the same manner as service of citation or other process as provided for in the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure and La. Rev. Stat. 13:3201 et seq., whether made by a sheriff, deputy sheriff, or constable or as otherwise provided by law in any civil matters.

(c)  By a duly authorized building inspector or other representative of the political subdivision, as provided by ordinance.

(d)  In the event that the owners are absent or unable to be notified in accordance with Subparagraphs (4)(a) through (c) of this Section, notice may be made by publication once a week for two consecutive weeks in an official journal of the political subdivision in which the property is located.

(e)  Repealed by Acts 2004, No. 755, §2, eff. July 6, 2004.

(5)  “Owner” means any person having an ownership interest in the property as shown in the conveyance records of the parish in which the property is located, including but not limited to ownership or leasehold interest.

(6)  “Property” means any portion of immovable property, including servitudes, leases, rights-of-way, and other rights in or to immovable property.

Acts 2003, No. 984, §1; Acts 2004, No. 755, §§1, 2, eff. July 6, 2004; Acts 2006, No. 196, §1.