§ 7-208. Drainage culverts required on unimproved lots with open ditches; submission of plans and specifications; inspection of work; violations declared misdemeanor.

(a)

All owners of real estate or agents thereof before construction of any new house or building on any unimproved lot which has a roadside open ditch within street right-of-way shall submit plans and specifications for the installation of culverts in such ditches and receive the approval of the city engineer as to the size and grade before commencing work, so that such culverts may be of sufficient size and so designed as to care for the drainage water flowing from the open ditch above the property and shall be required to install the approved culverts. Owners or agents of owners of partially completed houses or buildings are required to comply with this section as though their lot was unimproved. Unimproved lots in Bayou Bonfouca Estates Subdivision shall be exempt from the provisions of this section.

(b)

Such work shall be inspected by the city engineer, or such other official as may be designated by the mayor, to the end that the work may comply with the plans and specifications as approved.

(c)

Any person who shall commence construction of any house or building on property fronting on any open ditch without complying to the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(d)

The requirements of subsection (a) shall not apply to lots upon which new houses are constructed to replace those houses damaged by Hurricane Katrina and were demolished due to hurricane damage.

(Code 1966, § 7-11; Ord. No. 3016, 7-10-2001; Ord. No. 3367, 12-19-2006)