Lexington, Kentucky Code Enforcement

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The Lexington Kentucky Division of Code Enforcement is the governmental unit which deals with properties and property owners on a day-to-day basis to ensure that minimum maintenance and repair standards for all existing structures throughout the community are met. Division staff ensure that residential and commercial structures are maintained to the minimum standards set forth in the International Property Maintenance Code.

A Lexington, Kentucky Code Enforcement officer taking a picture while standing on a person's private property.

Contents

Programs

Division activities are organized into two programs:

Comprehensive Inspections: Structures in neighborhoods throughout the community are surveyed by the staff to determine the need for maintenance and repair. These surveys are used to designate specific structures that could benefit from comprehensive inspection. After inspection, a Notice is sent to the owner. The Notice points out the repairs that need to be made and sets a time frame for those repairs. The property is reinspected to monitor the progress of the repairs and eventually to determine that the property is again in compliance with minimum standards.

Complaint Inspections: Complaints originating from tenants, neighbors and/or other concerned parties are received by division staff who inspect the properties and note violations. A Notice is sent informing property owners of the required repairs and time limitations for those repairs. Properties are reinspected for compliance with the Notice at designated times during this process.

Demolition of a structure can be ordered when a structure poses a danger to occupants or the community.

Penalities: If the owner does not cooperate in making the required repairs to a property, Lexington's Code of Ordinances provides avenues for civil penalties and/or court prosecution.

Other Responsibilities:

Sidewalks: Property owners are responsible for the maintenance of the public sidewalk in front of their property. For residential homeowners only, grant money may be available to assist with making the needed repairs of sidewalks.

If you feel a sidewalk needs to be inspected, you may call the Division of Code Enforcement, who will inspect the sidewalk. If the Division of Code Enforcement marks the residential sidewalk for repairs, the owner occupant may be entitled to financial assistance. Funds are depleted rapidly, so reinbursement is given on a "first completed - first served" basis.

Other Property Laws: Code Enforcement provides information and insures compliance with other laws regarding private property, such as:

  • Bushes obstructing sidewalks
  • Junked vehicles
  • Litter
  • Weeds

Penalties: Failure by an owner to correct violations concerning junk cars, weeds or trash and debris can result in the government contracting to have the work performed or vehicle towed and placement of a lien against the property.

"Right of Way Signs"

The Division of Code Enforcement assists the Division of Building Inspection in enforcing “Right of Way Signs.” Under chapter 17 of the code of ordinances, it shall be illegal to place, erect or attach any sign that does not have a legal permit in the public right of way. Specifically, 17-4(g) states no sign shall be attached to any tree, utility pole, streetlight or dilapidated structure. Additionally, 17-4(j) states no sign may be located within the required sight triangle of any intersection, nor within or projecting into the public or private street right-of-way, except as specifically permitted. Code Enforcement will remove the signs and dispose of them.


Code Violations On or Around The Code Enforcement Building

Sidewalk Violations

Pitting, chipping, and unsafe walking conditions IPM Code section 302.3.

Tripping hazard outside of the code enforcement building. March, 2009.
Tripping hazard outside of the code enforcement building. March, 2009.
Tripping hazard outside of the code enforcement building. March, 2009.
Tripping hazard outside of the code enforcement building. Late April, 2009

Exterior Violations

Peeling and Chipping Facade: A violation of The IPM Code, section 304.2.

Code exterior 1.jpg
Code exterior 2.jpg
[Street Light] post without proper cover over electrical wiring. Late April, 2009

Interior Violations

All photos are current as of late April, 2009.

Elevator Certificates of Compliance

Kentucky Building Code relating to elevators]
Kentucky Building Code relating to elevators

Other Interior Violations

Vent fan in an elevator, withour proper cover, thus, exposing wiring. In addition, part of the fluorescent light fixture was cut and altered to fit in the small space-indicating shoddy work, since a proper light fixture was not purchased in the first place.


Other violations on or around other LFUCG owned buildings are highlighted in the pages regarding the Annex Garage, the Phoenix Garage, and sidewalks.

Code Enforcement Contact Information

See Also

http://www.bipps.org/bipps-blog/http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bluegrass-Institute/58521621985?ref=tshttp://www.vimeo.com/freedomkyhttp://twitter.com/BIPPShttp://www.youtube.com/user/FreedomKentuckyIcons.png
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