Georgetown, KY Code Violation Reporting: Response Times (2026)

Georgetown's clock starts with the citation. Section 2-839(a) requires violations of ordinances enforced under Chapter 2, Article VI to be remedied within the time period specified in the specific ordinance or code, unless the code enforcement officer decides a shorter or longer time is warranted. If no period is specified, the period is seven days. On request and for good cause shown, the officer, board or hearing officer can extend the remediation period, and the extension tolls the incurrence of any initial or additional penalties. The period cannot be shorter than 24 hours after the citation unless the officer has reason to believe the violation presents imminent danger, a serious threat to the public health, safety and welfare, or irreparable effects.

The citation itself must state the deadline to pay or contest. Under § 2-835(c)(17), a person who fails to pay the fine or contest the citation within seven days of the date it is issued is deemed to have waived the right to a hearing, and the violation determination becomes final. If a hearing is requested, § 2-837(b) requires the board to notify the requester not less than seven days before the hearing. A hearing officer's final order can be appealed to the code enforcement board within seven days under § 2-838(a), and a board order can be appealed to district court within 30 days.

Contesting the citation tolls the city's abatement under § 2-839(c), except in imminent-danger cases. If the board or hearing officer finds the violation occurred, abatement can be ordered to proceed immediately or within a specified time not to exceed 30 days. Under § 2-839(d) the code official bills the owner at least once after abatement, and no lien is filed until seven days after the bill is sent unless the property is in litigation.