Louisiana Disturbing the Peace and Trespass Laws (2026)

Louisiana's criminal code does not use the name disorderly conduct. Its counterpart is disturbing the peace under La. R.S. 14:103, a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $100, up to 90 days in jail, or both, with higher penalties for disrupting a funeral or, since August 1, 2026, a worship service.

Criminal trespass under R.S. 14:63 has no degrees. It is a misdemeanor whose penalty rises with each conviction, from a first-offense fine of $100 to $500 or up to 30 days, to as much as 6 months for a third or later offense. The felony-level forms are separate unauthorized-entry crimes: entering an inhabited dwelling (14:62.3), an enclosed place of business (14:62.4) or critical infrastructure (14:61). For other states, see our guide to disorderly conduct and trespass laws by state.

Information last verified on 2026-10-18. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This article covers Louisiana's state criminal statutes on disturbing the peace (R.S. 14:103 and 14:103.3), related public-order offenses in Title 14 (among them riot, false alarms and threats, masks, obstructing public passages, school disruption and unauthorized camping) and criminal trespass and unauthorized entry (R.S. 14:61 through 14:63.5). It does not cover local noise ordinances and quiet hours (see Louisiana noise laws), the civil eviction procedure for removing occupants (see Louisiana squatters' rights), use of force against an intruder (see Louisiana self-defense laws), civil trespass suits, parish or city ordinances, or federal property rules. Federal law separately governs federal property and the U.S. Capitol; our disorderly conduct and trespass hub covers that layer.

What counts as disturbing the peace in Louisiana

Section 14:103 sits in Subpart C of Title 14, "Offenses affecting the general peace and order." It defines the crime as "the doing of any of the following in such manner as would foreseeably disturb or alarm the public," and then lists nine forms. That lead-in applies to every clause, so the conduct must be of a kind that would foreseeably disturb or alarm the public.

The nine forms in R.S. 14:103(A), in plain words:

1. Engaging in a fistic encounter (a fistfight).
2. Addressing offensive, derisive or annoying words to another person "who is lawfully in any street, or other public place," calling that person an offensive or derisive name, or making any noise or exclamation in that person's presence "with the intent to deride, offend, or annoy him, or to prevent him from pursuing his lawful business, occupation, or duty."
3. "Appearing in an intoxicated condition."
4. Engaging in any act in a violent and tumultuous manner by any three or more persons.
5. Holding an unlawful assembly.
6. Interrupting any lawful assembly of people.
7. Intentionally engaging in any act, utterance, gesture or display designed to disrupt a funeral, funeral route or burial, from 120 minutes before until 120 minutes after the funeral or burial, within 300 feet of it.
8. Intentionally blocking or obstructing a funeral route, or, within 500 feet, access into or from a building, parking lot, burial plot or cemetery parking lot where a funeral or burial is being held, during the same 120-minute window.
9. Interrupting a worship service or religious ceremony at a church or other place of worship by violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior directed at someone attending, leading or taking part; by "unreasonably loud or abusive language or noise such that the service is materially disrupted"; or by physical obstruction, intimidation or threat of force toward clergy, worship leaders or attendees.

The noise piece of clause (2) is tied to a specific person in a public place and an intent to deride, offend or annoy. Quiet hours, decibel limits and loud-neighbor rules are a separate subject, as are the state's vehicle sound-system statute (14:103.1) and its 55-decibel limit on amplified sound measured within 10 feet of the entrance to a hospital or an occupied, signed house of worship during services (14:103.2, up to 30 days); see Louisiana noise laws.

Section 14:103(C) defines "funeral" to include a funeral home viewing, wake or memorial service, and "funeral route" to include 30 feet from the outer edge of the outside lane. A "church or other place of worship" is a building, structure or defined outdoor area lawfully possessed by a religious organization that qualifies for tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Penalties for disturbing the peace

Louisiana does not grade misdemeanors by letter class. Each statute states its own penalty, and R.S. 14:2 supplies the line between grades: a felony is "any crime for which an offender may be sentenced to death or imprisonment at hard labor," and a misdemeanor is "any crime other than a felony."

• Clauses (1) through (6): a fine of not more than $100, imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both (14:103(B)(1)).
• Funeral clauses (7) and (8): a fine of not more than $500, imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both (14:103(B)(2)).
• Worship service clause (9): a fine of not more than $500, imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both, and "Thirty days of the sentence imposed shall be served without benefit of probation or suspension of sentence" (14:103(B)(3)(a)).
• Clause (9) with simple battery or simple criminal damage to property: imprisonment with or without hard labor for not more than 2 years (14:103(B)(3)(b), (c)).
• Clause (9) while armed with a dangerous weapon: imprisonment with or without hard labor for not more than 5 years (14:103(B)(3)(d)).

Because the enhanced worship-service forms allow a hard labor sentence, they meet the 14:2 definition of a felony.

Public intoxication

Within the disturbing-the-peace sections of Subpart C, the public-intoxication rule is clause (A)(3) of 14:103, "Appearing in an intoxicated condition." Like every other clause, it reaches only conduct done in such manner as would foreseeably disturb or alarm the public, and it carries the general penalty of up to $100, up to 90 days, or both.

Picketing near a home

Section 14:103.3, "Disturbing the peace; residences," added by 2024 Act 661, provides: "No person shall petition, picket, demonstrate, or assemble with other persons within fifty feet of an individual's residence in a manner which interferes, disrupts, threatens to disrupt, or harasses the individual's right to control or use his residence." The penalty is a fine of not more than $500, and "Each day on which a violation occurs shall constitute a separate offense." A residence includes a dwelling, house, apartment or other structure used as a home.

Riot and other public-order offenses

Riot (14:329.1). A riot is "a public disturbance involving an assemblage of three or more persons acting together or in concert which by tumultuous and violent conduct, or the imminent threat of tumultuous and violent conduct, results in injury or damage to persons or property or creates a clear and present danger of injury or damage to persons or property." Inciting to riot (14:329.2) is the endeavor to incite or procure another person to create or participate in a riot.

Failure to disperse (14:329.3). A law enforcement or peace officer, or a public official responsible for keeping the peace, may command an assemblage to disperse if the official reasonably believes a riot is occurring or about to occur. Willfully failing to comply with a lawful command is punished under 14:329.7.

Wrongful use of public property (14:329.4). The statute defines the offense as "(1) The intentional entering of or onto any public property without the permission of the lawful custodian thereof, or his designated representative, at any time when the public property is not open to the public and the remaining in or occupying of any public property after having been requested to leave by the lawful custodian thereof, or his designated representative, or any law enforcement or peace officer, and (2) The depriving of the general public of the intended use of public property without a permit." The elements are joined by "and." Permits to use public property may be requested in writing from the custodian (14:329.4(B)).

Interference with the educational process (14:329.5). No person may willfully deny students, staff and guests freedom of movement, use of facilities or access on the campus of a school, college or university, or impede staff or students by restraint, coercion, intimidation or force. Subsection (C) makes it an offense to refuse to leave school property when asked by the chief administrative officer, a designee or a dean, if the person is committing, threatening or inciting acts likely to disrupt the institution's functions.

Curfews and emergency orders (14:329.6). After the governor proclaims a state of emergency for an area, the local chief law enforcement officer may issue orders establishing a curfew, closing zones to people and vehicles, closing places of amusement and assembly, banning alcohol sales and controlling the presence of people on public streets. The orders lapse after five days, or sooner if the governor ends the emergency, unless extended with the governor's consent for further periods of up to five days each.

The penalty section for the whole riot article, 14:329.7, sets a fine of not more than $500, up to 6 months, or both for a riot participant, inciting a riot, failing to disperse, wrongful use of public property or violating "any other provision" of the article (14:329.1 through 329.8). Where a willful violation results in serious bodily injury or property damage over $5,000, the penalty is up to 5 years at hard labor; where a death results, up to 21 years at hard labor. Section 14:329.5(D) states that nothing in 14:329.1 through 329.8 applies to a bona fide labor organization's legal activities, such as lawful picketing.

Obstructing public passages (14:100.1). No person may willfully obstruct "the free, convenient, and normal use of any public sidewalk, street, highway, bridge, alley, road, or other passageway, or the entrance, corridor, or passage of any public building." It is a misdemeanor with a fine of not more than $500, up to 6 months, or both. Construction and government safety barricades are excluded.

Parade and demonstration permits (14:326). In parishes with a population over 450,000, a group procession, march, parade or public demonstration on public streets, sidewalks and other public passageways requires a permit, with exceptions including labor organizations, government-sponsored parades and Mardi Gras parades. A violation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000, up to 6 months, or both, for each offense.

Masks in public (14:313). Wearing a hood, mask or facial disguise in a public place "calculated to conceal or hide the identity of the person or to prevent his being readily recognized" is punishable by imprisonment for not less than 6 months nor more than 3 years. The section does not apply to children on Halloween, school, church or public-body parades of an educational, religious or historical character, people in a private residence, club or lodge room, authorized masquerade and Mardi Gras festivities, religious head coverings or veils, motorcycle riders, or masks worn for medical reasons.

Unlawful disruption of a school (14:40.6). A person who is not authorized to be on school premises commits this offense by acts that would foreseeably intimidate or harass a student or teacher by threat of force or force, place them in sustained fear for their safety, or disrupt the school's operation. A first offense is a fine of not more than $1,000, up to 6 months, or both; a second or later offense is a fine of not more than $1,000, imprisonment with or without hard labor for 1 to 5 years, or both, and conflict resolution classes are required. Section 14:40.6 was amended by 2024 Act 476.

False alarms, false reports and threats. Criminal mischief under R.S. 14:59 includes the "giving of any false alarm of fire or notice which would reasonably result in emergency response" and giving a false report or complaint to a sheriff, a deputy or any officer of the law about a crime, each punishable by up to $500, up to 6 months in parish jail, or both. Terrorizing (14:40.1(A)) is the intentional communication that a crime of violence is imminent or in progress, or that a circumstance dangerous to human life exists or is about to exist, with intent to cause sustained public fear, an evacuation of a building, public structure or transportation facility, or other serious disruption to the public: up to $15,000, up to 15 years with or without hard labor, or both. Menacing (14:40.1(B)) is the same communication when it causes that fear, evacuation or disruption and a reasonable person would have known it could: up to $1,000, up to 2 years with or without hard labor, or both. Since August 1, 2026 (2026 Act 619), terrorizing a school property, school-sponsored function or firearm-free zone carries up to $15,000, 5 to 15 years at hard labor without parole, probation or suspension of sentence, or both, and menacing one carries up to $1,000, 2 to 5 years with or without hard labor, or both. Section 14:40.1(C) provides an affirmative defense for a person who was not involved in the crime or danger and reasonably believed the communication was necessary to protect the public. Knowingly communicating false information of a planned bombing on school property, at a school-sponsored function or in a firearm-free zone (14:54.6) carries up to 20 years with or without hard labor.

Unauthorized camping on public property (14:107.6). Created by 2026 Act 788 (House Bill 211, the Streets to Success Act), this offense is "the intentional use of any tent, shelter, or bedding constructed or arranged for the purpose of or in such a way to permit overnight use on public property that is not a designated campground." The penalty is a fine of not more than $500, up to 6 months, or both. The section took effect on the governor's signature, June 9, 2026. An offender may be eligible for a Homelessness Court or Veterans Court program where one is available (14:107.6(D), (E)).

Criminal trespass in Louisiana

Louisiana's general trespass statute, R.S. 14:63, "Criminal trespass; squatters," has no degrees. It prohibits three things:

• entering "any structure, watercraft, or movable owned by another without express, legal, or implied authorization" (14:63(A));
• entering "upon immovable property owned by another without express, legal, or implied authorization" (14:63(B)(1)); and
• remaining in or upon movable or immovable property owned by another without such authorization (14:63(C)(1)).

Being told to leave, and squatters

Under 14:63(C)(2), "remain in or upon property" includes:

• an occupant, as defined in Code of Civil Procedure Article 4704, who stays "for longer than five days after being served with written notice to vacate" under Article 4702 or 4703;
• "a squatter who has been directed to vacate by a lawful possessor either verbally, by written notice, or by posting of conspicuous signage advising that the property is privately owned and unlawful trespass is prohibited"; and
• a person present in violation of a temporary restraining order or an injunction.

A "squatter" is "any person who remains in or upon property to which the person lacks a right of possession, ownership, occupancy, or a lease interest." Section 14:63 was last amended by 2024 Act 652. The civil steps for removing an occupant are covered on our Louisiana squatters' rights page.

A second statute, 14:63.3, covers going into, entering, remaining or attempting to enter or remain on property belonging to another, "including public buildings and structures, ferries, and bridges," after "having been forbidden to do so, either orally or in writing, including by means of any sign," by the owner, lessee, custodian or another authorized person. It is a misdemeanor with a fine of not more than $500, imprisonment in the parish jail for not more than 6 months, or both. Criminal mischief under R.S. 14:59(A)(7) separately covers taking temporary possession of part of a place of business, or remaining in a place of business after the person in charge has directed the person to leave, with the same maximum of $500, 6 months in parish jail, or both.

Section 14:63.4 makes it a misdemeanor to incite, solicit, urge or procure another person to go into or remain in a structure, watercraft or other movable belonging to another, knowing that person has been forbidden to do so orally, in writing or by sign. An officer investigating such a complaint may require the people involved to give their true name and address. The penalty is up to $500, up to 6 months in parish jail, or both.

Section 14:63.5 applies the same after-being-forbidden rule to property used for a school athletic contest or recreation athletic contest, including the immediate vicinity: a fine of not more than $500, imprisonment without hard labor for not more than 6 months, or both.

Signs and purple paint

Section 14:63(J) states that notice is "not required by this Section," but that notice that entry is prohibited "may be indicated" by a sign posted where it "may be reasonably expected to be seen," or by purple paint marks on trees or posts. For the after-being-forbidden offense, 14:63.3(A)(2) defines "sign" the same two ways. The purple paint marks must be:

"(a) Vertical lines of not less than eight inches in length and not less than one inch in width. (b) Placed so that the bottom of the mark is not less than three feet from the ground nor more than five feet from the ground. (c) Placed at locations that are readily visible to any person approaching the property and no more than one hundred feet apart on forest land, as defined in R.S. 3:3622, or one thousand feet apart on land other than forest land." (La. R.S. 14:63(J)(2))

Drones

Under 14:63(B)(2) and (C)(2)(a)(iv), entering or remaining on property includes operating a drone (an unmanned aircraft system) in the air space over another's immovable property "with the intent to conduct surveillance of the property or of any individual lawfully on the property." Those provisions do not apply to a person operating in compliance with federal law or FAA regulations or authorization. Flying a drone over enclosed critical infrastructure is a separate felony under 14:61(A)(5), described below. See Louisiana drone laws for the rest of the state's drone rules.

Defenses and exceptions in the statute

Section 14:63(I) provides that "A minor ten years old or younger shall not be arrested, detained or apprehended for the crime of trespass."

Section 14:63(D) provides that "It shall be an affirmative defense to a prosecution for a violation of Subsection A, B, or C of this Section, that the accused had express, legal, or implied authority to be in the movable or on the immovable property."

Section 14:63(E) lets certain people enter or remain on another's property, including law enforcement officers performing their duties, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, government and utility workers dealing with an emergency or otherwise authorized by law, people authorized by a court, and a person exercising the right of passage to an enclosed estate.

Section 14:63(F) lets other people enter immovable property "unless specifically forbidden to do so by the owner or other person with authority, either orally or in writing." The list includes land surveyors, regulated utility and cable workers on their facilities, people making a delivery, soliciting, selling or conducting a survey or poll who immediately seek to do so, the owner's employees, livestock owners retrieving escaped livestock, a domestic animal owner merely retrieving the animal without a firearm or other weapon, political candidates and their workers, and a vessel owner in salt water retrieving property or seeking help in an emergency.

Penalties for criminal trespass

Section 14:63(G) sets the penalties by offense number:

• First offense: a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $500, imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both.
• Second offense: a fine of not less than $300 and not more than $750, imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both.
• Third and later offenses: a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $1,000, imprisonment for not less than 60 days and not more than 6 months, or both, and forfeiture of any property seized in connection with the violation.

A person may be convicted of a second or later offense "regardless of whether any prior conviction involved the same structure, watercraft, movable or immovable property and regardless of the time sequence of the occurrence of the offenses" (14:63(G)(4)). A person convicted under 14:63 who killed or misappropriated wildlife during the trespass must also forfeit the wildlife and pay its value into the Conservation Fund (14:63(G)(5)).

When unauthorized entry is a felony

Trespass under 14:63 stays a misdemeanor at every offense level. The felony-level forms are separate crimes in the burglary subpart:

• Unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling (14:62.3): "the intentional entry by a person without authorization into any inhabited dwelling or other structure belonging to another and used in whole or in part as a home or place of abode by a person." Fine of not more than $1,000, imprisonment with or without hard labor for not more than 6 years, or both.
• Unauthorized entry of a place of business (14:62.4): intentional entry without authority into a structure or premises "completely enclosed by any type of physical barrier that is at least six feet in height" (or such a barrier combined with a body of water) and used as a place of business. Fine of not more than $1,000, imprisonment with or without hard labor for not more than 6 years, or both. The section allows docking a boat on the bank of a navigable waterway for a reasonable time during a mechanical problem, a medical emergency or another condition that prevents the watercraft from proceeding.
• Unauthorized entry of a critical infrastructure (14:61): intentionally entering a critical infrastructure site "that is completely enclosed or surrounded by any type of physical barrier," using fraudulent identification to enter, remaining after being forbidden orally or in writing, entering a marked restricted area that is fully enclosed, flying a drone over enclosed critical infrastructure without authority, or maliciously using electronic means to access or interfere with its control or security systems. Critical infrastructure includes chemical plants, refineries, power facilities, water and sewer plants, pipelines, ports, railroad switching yards, airports, communications facilities, government facilities, military installations and construction sites for those facilities. The penalty is imprisonment with or without hard labor for not more than 5 years, a fine of not more than $1,000, or both; a second or later violation carries 6 months to 10 years and a fine of $500 to $4,000, or both. During a state of emergency declared by the governor or a parish chief executive, the penalty is 3 to 15 years at hard labor and a fine of not more than $5,000. Section 14:61(E) states that the section does not apply to lawful assembly and peaceful petition, picketing or demonstration, or to lawful fishing, hunting, boating and similar activities in the open areas around a pipeline.

The burglary line: simple burglary (14:62) is "the unauthorized entering of any dwelling, vehicle, watercraft, or other structure, movable or immovable, or any cemetery, with the intent to commit a felony or any theft therein," punishable by a fine of not more than $2,000, imprisonment with or without hard labor for not more than 12 years, or both.

Wildlife refuges and management areas (R.S. 56:786). Once land has been dedicated, fenced or posted as a wildlife refuge, wildlife management area, public hunting ground, upland game preserve or wildlife sanctuary, "No person shall trespass upon such land," and a person doing so may be arrested on sight by a wildlife agent or other authorized officer. Under R.S. 56:787, violating this subpart is a class two wildlife violation. R.S. 56:32 divides class two violations into 2-A and 2-B, with fines that rise with each offense, from $100 to $350 for a first class 2-A offense to $750 to $1,000 for a third or later class 2-B offense, forfeiture of seized items on later offenses, and, for class 2-B, possible revocation of the license or permit for a repeat violation of the same provision. Section 56:787 does not specify which subclass applies.

For how Louisiana law treats force used against an intruder, see Louisiana self-defense laws.

Louisiana disturbing the peace and trespass penalties at a glance

Louisiana sets each penalty in the offense's own section rather than by misdemeanor class. Under R.S. 14:2, any crime that may be punished by imprisonment at hard labor is a felony, and every other crime is a misdemeanor. For how felony and misdemeanor sentences work more broadly, see felony and misdemeanor classes in Louisiana.

Recent changes

• 2026 Act 115 (House Bill 68), effective August 1, 2026, amended R.S. 14:103 to add clause (A)(9), interrupting a worship service, with its own penalties in 14:103(B)(3) and the place-of-worship definitions in 14:103(C).
• 2026 Act 788 (House Bill 211) created R.S. 14:107.6, unauthorized camping on public property. The act states that this section takes effect on the governor's signature; it was signed on June 9, 2026.
• 2026 Act 188 (House Bill 1033), effective May 15, 2026, added government facilities, military installations and oil and gas exploration platforms, vehicles and equipment to the definition of critical infrastructure in R.S. 14:61. 2026 Act 804 (House Bill 429), effective August 1, 2026, added the drone and electronic-interference forms of the offense (14:61(A)(5) and (6)), public drinking water systems and oil and natural gas operations. Section 14:61 was also amended by 2025 Act 26.
• 2026 Act 619 (House Bill 137), effective August 1, 2026, amended R.S. 14:40.1 to add the higher penalties for terrorizing or menacing a school property, school-sponsored function or firearm-free zone.
• 2024 Act 661 added R.S. 14:103.3 (picketing within 50 feet of a residence), 2024 Act 652 is the most recent amendment to R.S. 14:63, and 2024 Act 476 amended R.S. 14:40.6.

Related Louisiana laws

• Disorderly conduct and trespass laws by state
• Louisiana noise laws: quiet hours, car stereos and fines
• Felony vs misdemeanor in Louisiana
• Louisiana squatters' rights
• Louisiana drone laws
• Louisiana self-defense laws
• Louisiana expungement laws

This article provides general legal information about Louisiana statutes, not legal advice. For advice about a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in Louisiana.

Last updated: 2026-10-18.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is disorderly conduct a crime in Louisiana?

Louisiana's code uses the name disturbing the peace, R.S. 14:103, rather than disorderly conduct. It covers conduct such as a fistfight, offensive words aimed at a person in a public place, or appearing intoxicated, when done in a manner that would foreseeably disturb or alarm the public.

What is the penalty for disturbing the peace in Louisiana?

The general forms carry a fine of up to $100, up to 90 days in jail, or both (14:103(B)(1)). Disrupting a funeral carries up to $500, up to 6 months, or both, and, since August 1, 2026 (2026 Act 115), disrupting a worship service carries up to $500 or 6 months with 30 days served without probation, rising to 2 or 5 years with battery, property damage or a dangerous weapon.

Is being drunk in public illegal in Louisiana?

Clause (A)(3) of R.S. 14:103 makes appearing in an intoxicated condition a form of disturbing the peace when it is done in a manner that would foreseeably disturb or alarm the public. The penalty is a fine of up to $100, up to 90 days, or both.

Is cursing at someone disturbing the peace in Louisiana?

Clause (A)(2) of R.S. 14:103 covers addressing offensive, derisive or annoying words to a person lawfully in a street or other public place, or calling that person an offensive name, in a manner that would foreseeably disturb or alarm the public. It applies to words aimed at another person, not to speech in general.

Is trespassing a felony in Louisiana?

Criminal trespass under R.S. 14:63 is a misdemeanor at every offense level, topping out at 6 months for a third or later offense. Separate felony-level crimes cover unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling or an enclosed place of business (up to 6 years) and critical infrastructure (up to 5 years, or 3 to 15 years during a declared emergency).

Does Louisiana have a purple paint law?

Yes. Under R.S. 14:63(J)(2) and 14:63.3(A)(2)(b), purple paint marks can indicate that entry is prohibited if they are vertical lines at least 8 inches long and 1 inch wide, 3 to 5 feet off the ground, readily visible, and no more than 100 feet apart on forest land or 1,000 feet apart on other land.

Do I need a no trespassing sign in Louisiana?

Section 14:63(J) says notice is not required by the criminal trespass statute, but it may be given by a sign posted where it can reasonably be expected to be seen or by purple paint marks. Entering or staying after being forbidden orally, in writing, by sign or by purple paint is a separate misdemeanor under 14:63.3.

What happens if a store tells you to leave in Louisiana?

Under R.S. 14:63.3, going into or remaining on property after being forbidden orally or in writing by the owner, lessee, custodian or another authorized person is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $500, up to 6 months in parish jail, or both. Criminal mischief under R.S. 14:59(A)(7) separately covers remaining in a place of business after the person in charge has directed the person to leave, with the same maximum of $500, 6 months in parish jail, or both.

Is squatting a crime in Louisiana?

Under R.S. 14:63(C)(2), remaining on property includes the continued presence of a squatter who has been directed to vacate by a lawful possessor verbally, in writing or by conspicuous signage, and an occupant who stays more than five days after being served with a written notice to vacate. Criminal trespass penalties then apply by offense number.

Is it illegal to camp on public property in Louisiana?

Since June 9, 2026, R.S. 14:107.6 makes it a misdemeanor to intentionally use a tent, shelter or bedding arranged for overnight use on public property that is not a designated campground, punishable by up to $500, up to 6 months, or both.