La. Civ. Code § Art. 2679
Limits of contractual freedom in fixing the term
Operative Text
Art. 2679. Limits of contractual freedom in fixing the term The duration of a term may not exceed ninety-nine years. If the lease provides for a longer term or contains an option to extend the term to more than ninety-nine years, the term shall be reduced to ninety-nine years. If the term's duration depends solely on the will of the lessor or the lessee and the parties have not agreed on a maximum duration, the duration is determined in accordance with the following Article.
Louisiana Civil Code Art. 2679 places an absolute ceiling on how long a lease term can last: no lease may run for more than ninety-nine years. If a lease is written with a longer term or includes an option that could push the total beyond ninety-nine years, the law automatically trims the term down to that maximum. When the duration is left entirely to one party's discretion and no maximum was agreed upon, a separate rule (the following article) steps in to determine how long the lease lasts.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under La. Civ. Code art. § Art. 2679, property owners and managers should ensure that any lease they draft or renew does not set a term—or include extension options—that would push the total duration past ninety-nine years, because the law will automatically reduce any excess. Operators who use open-ended or discretionary term structures without specifying a maximum duration should be aware that a different statutory rule will govern the lease's length in that scenario. Reviewing long-term commercial or ground leases for compliance with this ceiling is a standard part of responsible lease administration in Louisiana.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
La. Civ. Code art. § Art. 2679 provides tenants with the assurance that no lease can legally bind them—or their successors—for more than ninety-nine years, regardless of what the written document says. If a lease contains a term or renewal option exceeding that limit, the law automatically caps it, which may be relevant to anyone evaluating the enforceability of a very long-term agreement. Tenants who have questions about how this provision applies to a particular lease may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or a licensed Louisiana attorney for general guidance.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 17, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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