Owensboro, KY Code Violation Reporting: Common Violations (2026)

Owensboro Municipal Code Sec. 5-137(b) declares it unlawful for an owner, resident, tenant or occupant of any public or private land in the city to violate the adopted International Property Maintenance Code, permit a public nuisance or health hazard, or let a property contribute to devaluing surrounding real estate. The section then enumerates twenty-five specific conditions the city treats as reportable public nuisances, including junk and scrap metal accumulation, construction and demolition debris, indoor furniture stored outdoors, nauseous odors, dangerous trees over streets, storm drainage obstructions, dilapidated structures, accumulated refuse and trash containers, attractive nuisances to children, graffiti, hoarding of animals or materials, and rubbish that endangers public health or attracts vermin.

Reports funnel to a code enforcement officer, who under Sec. 5-129 may issue a notice of violation giving the owner time to abate, followed by a citation if the violation continues. Citations must state the address, date of inspection, the specific code section violated and the fine schedule; the recipient has seven days under Sec. 5-130 to pay or file a written appeal with the public works director for a hearing before the five-member Property Maintenance Code Enforcement Board, created under KRS 65.8801 to 65.8840. Board decisions are appealable to Daviess County District Court under Sec. 5-135, tried de novo with the city bearing the burden of proof.