Owensboro, KY Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

Under § 5-129, code enforcement officers hold broad inspection powers: conducting investigations, conducting inspections, recording and documenting conditions, obtaining outsourced inspection services, and exercising right of entry when there is reasonable evidence of a violation in ordinary view. Enforcement proceedings start with either a notice of violation or a citation. If an officer personally observes or investigates a suspected violation, the officer may first issue a notice of violation giving the person a specified, reasonable number of days to fix the problem without any fine, with the timeframe left to the code official's discretion based on the nature of the violation.

If the violation is not corrected in time, the officer may then issue a citation. Citations must state the property address, inspection date, the code section violated, the facts of the offense, the fines that apply, and the procedure to pay or contest the citation. A citation is delivered by hand, by leaving it with an adult on the premises, or by posting it and mailing a copy to the address on file with the Daviess County Property Valuation Administrator. Once issued, a citation is a final determination of violation unless the recipient appeals in writing to the Public Works Director within seven days under § 5-130, requesting a hearing before the Code Enforcement Board.

Failure to respond within seven days waives the right to a hearing. The Board, or an assigned hearing officer, can subpoena witnesses, take sworn testimony, and issue a final order, and may add a daily civil penalty of up to $100 per day under § 5-129(m) for each day a violation continues uncorrected.