Moving to Bowling Green, KY?

Bowling Green's noise rule lives in Code of Ordinances Chapter IX (General Offenses), Subchapter 9-3 (Noise). Section 9-3.01 declares the city's purpose - to reduce, control, and prevent excessive noise - but the subchapter does not publish numeric decibel limits or a fixed residential quiet-hour clock; noise is enforced on a 'unreasonable annoyance / disturbance' standard handled by Bowling Green Police and Neighborhood & Community Services (NCS).

Barking-dog and other animal-noise complaints in Bowling Green are enforced under Code of Ordinances Chapter V (Animals), Subchapter 5-1 (Animal Control), Section 5-1.08 (Animal Nuisances Prohibited), which expressly lists 'barking, howling, whining or other continuous utterances, or excessive noise from any animal that causes unreasonable annoyance, disturbance or discomfort to neighbors' as a prohibited nuisance.

Amplified music in Bowling Green is regulated by Subchapter 9-3 (Noise) and, for Mobile Food Units, by Subchapter 15-8 - Section 15-8.02(n) of Ordinance BG2019-50 expressly prohibits amplified music from food trucks. In city parks, including downtown Fountain Square Park, Circus Square Park, and RiverWalk Park, live bands, DJs, and amplified sound equipment require a Special Event Permit issued by Neighborhood & Community Services.

Industrial noise in Bowling Green is governed primarily by the Warren County / Bowling Green joint Zoning Ordinance (administered by the City-County Planning Commission) through industrial-district performance standards, rather than by a separate decibel cap in Subchapter 9-3 (Noise). The Subchapter 9-3 'excessive noise' policy of Section 9-3.01 still applies, and the city has previously amended Subchapter 9-3 to provide exemptions for industrially zoned properties.

Bowling Green does not codify a specific weekday or weekend construction-hour window in Subchapter 9-3 (Noise) or in Chapter VI (Building Regulations). Construction noise is regulated through the general 'excessive noise' policy of Section 9-3.01 and the Chapter 27 (Property Code) nuisance framework; site-specific permit conditions and contracted hours may also apply.

Bowling Green has no dedicated leaf-blower ordinance and does not ban gas-powered leaf blowers. Use is regulated through the general 'excessive noise' policy of Subchapter 9-3 (Section 9-3.01) and the Chapter 27 (Property Code) nuisance standards; there is no codified time-of-day window or decibel cap for residential lawn equipment.

Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport (BWG / KBWG) is jointly owned by the City of Bowling Green and Warren County and operates two runways (3/21 at 6,501 ft and 12/30 at 3,956 ft). Aircraft-in-flight noise is preempted by the Federal Aviation Administration; Bowling Green's Chapter III (Airport Regulations) governs airport operations but does not impose a local curfew or numeric noise cap on aircraft operations.

Bowling Green's Subchapter 9-3 (Noise) does not assign decibel limits by zoning district or time of day - the Bowling Green Daily News confirmed the ordinance 'doesn't quantify what the noise level should be anywhere for any type of noise.' The only hard dBA rule on the books is Section 15-8.02(n), which caps Mobile Food Unit generators at 80 decibels.

Outdoor music at Bowling Green's downtown venues - Fountain Square Park, Circus Square Park, and RiverWalk Park - requires a Special Event Permit issued through Neighborhood & Community Services. Applications for the three Downtown Parks must be submitted at least 30 days before the event, and the city's noise ordinance (Subchapter 9-3) applies in all city parks.

Bowling Green does not codify STR-specific quiet hours; STR guests are subject to the citywide noise ordinance in Bowling Green Code of Ordinances Chapter IX, Section 9-3 (Noise), which prohibits loud, unnecessary, or unusual noises that disturb the peace, quiet, comfort, or repose of others. Separately, Zoning Ordinance 5.2.4(C)(4)(c) imposes an STR-specific land-use standard: the rental shall not adversely affect surrounding uses by 'excessive traffic generation, noise and light.' Repeated noise complaints tied to a licensed STR can be raised at CUP review by the Board of Zoning Adjustment as evidence the rental is creating nuisance, and may be grounds for permit revocation. Enforcement is handled by Bowling Green Police for active disturbances and the Code Enforcement & Nuisance Board for patterns.

Bowling Green's Zoning Ordinance Section 5.2.4(C)(4)(c) imposes an STR-specific off-street parking standard: one off-street parking space shall be required for each guest room available for rent at the short-term rental, except in the CB (Central Business) zoning district where the standard does not apply. The parking requirement is in addition to the off-street parking already required for the underlying dwelling use. All off-street parking areas must adhere to the landscaping requirements in ZO Section 4.6.8.D unless the operator is utilizing an existing driveway for a residential use. Guests must comply with citywide on-street parking, time-limit, and overnight parking rules; the STR Guide directs operators to advise renters to use off-street parking before taking on-street spots.

Operating a short-term rental (Airbnb, VRBO, or any rental of a dwelling for fewer than 30 days) inside the City of Bowling Green requires both a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and a Short Term Rental license issued by the City-County Planning Commission of Warren County before the property may be advertised or occupied by paid guests. Authority for the program is the Bowling Green Zoning Ordinance Article 5, Section 5.2.4(C)(4)(c) (Commercial Use Categories - Overnight Accommodations - Specific Use Standards for Short-Term Rentals). The CUP is reviewed by the Board of Zoning Adjustment after a public hearing with notice to surrounding property owners; the STR license is administered by the Planning Commission and must be displayed in any online listing. Short-term rentals are prohibited in single-family residential (RS) zones - only Bed & Breakfasts (owner-occupied) are permitted in those districts with a separate special permit.

Short-term rentals in Bowling Green collect a stack of state and city lodging taxes on every reservation of fewer than 30 consecutive days. The City of Bowling Green imposes a 3% Transient Room Tax under Code of Ordinances Section 18-6.01, plus an Additional Special Transient Room Tax of 1% (effective January 1, 1994), for a city total of 4%. Layered on top are the Kentucky statewide 1% transient room tax administered under KRS 142.400 by the Department of Revenue (deposited into the Tourism, Meeting and Convention Marketing Fund) and the 6% Kentucky state sales tax on accommodations (KRS 139.200), producing a combined approximate burden of 11% on each Bowling Green STR stay. City TRT is filed and remitted monthly to the City of Bowling Green Treasury Office; state-administered taxes are remitted to the Kentucky Department of Revenue. Stays of 30 or more continuous days are exempt from both city and state transient room tax.

Bowling Green's Zoning Ordinance Section 5.2.4(C)(4)(c) limits occupancy of each short-term rental through a per-room design standard: each room to be rented shall be designed and intended to accommodate no more than two persons. The cap is a design/intended-use standard tied to the Conditional Use Permit and the Short Term Rental license. A three-bedroom STR is therefore designed for a maximum of six guests; a four-bedroom for eight. The STR must also meet life-safety standards (smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers) per the city's Short Term Rental Guide, and any occupancy that exceeds the per-room design intent or generates 'excessive traffic generation, noise and light' is a CUP condition violation.

Bowling Green does not impose a fixed annual cap on the number of nights a licensed short-term rental may host. There is no '90-day,' '120-day,' or '180-day' booking limit codified for any STR. A property with an approved Conditional Use Permit and a current Short Term Rental license may book up to 365 nights per year provided the operator continues to satisfy the per-room design occupancy (2 persons per rented room), the per-guest-room off-street parking ratio, the no-excessive-noise-or-traffic standard in ZO 5.2.4(C)(4)(c), all city and state transient room and sales tax obligations, and all life-safety equipment requirements. The city controls STR scale through the Conditional Use Permit process (case-by-case BZA review with public hearing), categorical zoning prohibition in RS single-family districts, and the no-commercial-events backstop in 5.2.4(C)(4)(c).

Bowling Green's Zoning Ordinance Section 5.2.4(C)(4)(c) and the city's Short Term Rental Guide do not impose a specific minimum liability insurance amount as a condition of the Conditional Use Permit or the Short Term Rental license. Unlike some other Kentucky and out-of-state municipalities that require $1,000,000 in liability coverage, Bowling Green does not codify a dollar threshold. However, operators should obtain a short-term-rental endorsement on their homeowner's policy or a separate commercial STR liability policy because most standard homeowner's policies exclude paid-rental business activity, leaving the operator personally liable for guest injuries, property damage, and third-party claims. Platform host-protection programs (Airbnb AirCover, VRBO Liability Insurance) are typically treated as supplemental, not primary, coverage.

Registering a short-term rental in Bowling Green is a multi-step zoning-and-licensing process administered by the City-County Planning Commission of Warren County in coordination with the Bowling Green Building Division. Required steps: (1) verify the property is not in an RS (single-family residential) zoning district, (2) file a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application at the Planning Commission office with notice to surrounding property owners, (3) attend the Board of Zoning Adjustment public hearing, (4) obtain a change-of-use building permit from the Bowling Green Building Division (270-393-3676) with a life-safety inspection covering smoke alarms, CO detectors, fire extinguishers, and egress, (5) apply for the Short Term Rental license from the Planning Commission, and (6) register with the City of Bowling Green Treasury Office for monthly transient room tax filing. The STR license number must be displayed in every online listing.

Bowling Green's Zoning Ordinance Section 5.2.4(C)(4)(c) and the City-County Planning Commission's Short Term Rental program do not require the host to be physically present at the dwelling during paid stays. A Conditional Use Permit-approved STR with a current Short Term Rental license may operate unhosted, with the operator off-site, subject to compliance with the per-room design occupancy, off-street parking standard, no-excessive-noise-or-traffic backstop, and license display requirements. Operators are expected to be reasonably available to respond to neighbor or city complaints; while the city's STR Guide does not mandate a specific 24/7 local contact rule with codified mileage radius (unlike Bowling Green OH's separate ordinance), prudent operators designate a local point of contact who can respond promptly to issues.

Bowling Green's Zoning Ordinance Section 5.2.4(C)(4)(c) and the City-County Planning Commission's Short Term Rental program do not restrict STR licenses to the operator's primary residence. Investment properties, second homes, and out-of-state-owned dwellings are all eligible for Conditional Use Permit approval and a Short Term Rental license provided the property is not in an RS (single-family residential) zoning district and the operator completes the full registration sequence. This differs sharply from primary-residence-only markets such as San Francisco, Boston, and Denver where STR operation is limited to the host's own home. The trade-off is that all Bowling Green STRs - primary residence, second home, and investment property alike - must clear the case-by-case CUP public hearing process, where neighborhood opposition may result in conditions or denial.

Bowling Green Code Section 15-5.04 (Sale and Use of Fireworks), adopted by Ordinance BG2011-51, limits consumer fireworks to between noon and 10:00 p.m. on June 27 through July 3 and on July 5, and between noon and 11:00 p.m. on July 4. Use on any other day requires a no-fee Special Discharge Permit from the Bowling Green Fire Department, applied for at least 15 days in advance and valid for a 4-hour window between noon and 9:00 p.m. Users must be 18 or older and stay at least 200 feet from any structure, vehicle, or other person. Discharge on public property, including public roadways, is banned. Kentucky permits consumer fireworks statewide under KRS 227.700-227.750, and KRS 227.717 lets cities restrict times.

Open burning is prohibited inside Bowling Green city limits without prior Bowling Green Fire Department approval (Chapter XII, Section 12-6, Code of Ordinances). Permits may be issued for sites consisting of natural vegetation. Burnable material is limited to natural vegetation; pallets, treated lumber, and trash are banned. Permitted residential burns are allowed only 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. from February 15 to April 30 and from October 1 to December 15, with a max 4-ft pile, 30-ft setback from woodland/grassland/combustibles, no winds 10 mph or higher, and constant attendance. These windows match Kentucky's statutory forest fire hazard seasons under KRS 149.400.

Bowling Green follows the Kentucky Standards of Safety (815 KAR 10:060) and the Kentucky Building Code (815 KAR 7:120) for smoke alarm installation, enforced locally by the Bowling Green Fire Department under Chapter XII of the Code of Ordinances. The Bowling Green Fire Department recommends installing detectors on every level of the home including the basement and inside and outside every sleeping area, with monthly testing and annual battery replacement. Most units have an 8-10 year life span and must be replaced afterward. For new construction and certain alterations, the Kentucky Residential Code (NFPA 72/IRC R314) requires interconnected, hardwired smoke alarms with battery backup in each sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on each story including basements.

Bowling Green Code of Ordinances Section 12-6.02 (Residential / Recreational Burning) allows recreational fires only if the fire is completely contained in a fire pit that is commercially built or constructed of brick, concrete, stone, or metal. The fire must be attended at all times by a person over 18, and smoke or embers may not negatively affect neighboring property owners or create a fire spread risk. Materials must be natural vegetation only. Burning permitted materials outside of a contained fire pit requires a burn permit from the Bowling Green Fire Department.

Bowling Green has adopted the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) with a local amendment to Section 302.4 setting the maximum height for weeds or plant growth, including grass, at ten (10) inches. The amendment was made by Ordinance BG2022-41 (adopted September 6, 2022). Any vegetation in excess of 10 inches, except maintained crops, trees, bushes, flowers, or other ornamental plants, is declared a nuisance. Property owners are responsible for the area from their property line to the curb and within easements and rights-of-way. Undeveloped lots larger than 2 acres must be mowed below 10 inches within 50 feet of any improvement, roadway, structure, or property line.

Bowling Green sits in the Western Pennyroyal karst region; approximately 90 percent of Warren County is built on karst with 350+ cave entrances and 30+ km of mapped cave passage. The city is not within a federally mapped Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) and Kentucky does not adopt a stand-alone WUI code. Wildfire-related controls come from Kentucky Division of Forestry's statutory forest-fire hazard seasons (KRS 149.400) - no daytime burning within 150 feet of woodland or brushland between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. from February 15 to April 30 and from October 1 to December 15 - and from Bowling Green's own permit-required open-burning rule (Chapter XII, Section 12-6).

Backyard fires in Bowling Green are governed by Section 12-6.02 of the Code of Ordinances. A recreational fire must be completely contained in a fire pit (commercial or constructed of brick, concrete, stone, or metal); burning materials outside a contained pit requires a burn permit. Only natural vegetation may be burned - no pallets, treated lumber, trash, or processed materials. The fire must be attended at all times by an adult 18 or older, smoke and embers may not affect neighbors, and the fire may not create a spread risk. Permitted (non-contained) burns are restricted to 6:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m. during the Feb 15-Apr 30 and Oct 1-Dec 15 windows.

Bowling Green follows the Kentucky Standards of Safety (815 KAR 10:060) and the Kentucky Building Code (815 KAR 7:120) for LP-gas (propane) container storage, fill, and use. Kentucky law requires LP-gas installations to comply with NFPA 58 (Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code) as adopted through the Standards of Safety, and 815 KAR 10:070 separately regulates LP-gas dealers. Locally, the Bowling Green Fire Department's Fire Chief enforces these statewide rules under Section 12-1.02 of the Code of Ordinances. Container installation, separation distances from buildings and property lines, and refilling stations require state-licensed installers and, for larger installations, IFC/NFPA 58 permitting reviewed by the BG Fire Department.

Bowling Green's most concrete RV restriction is on private property, not on the street: under the city Property Maintenance Code at BGKY C27 27.4.03, no junk motor vehicle - defined as any inoperable vehicle, one without a current valid license plate, or one that is wrecked or partially dismantled - may sit on private premises longer than three calendar days unless inside an enclosed building. An unregistered, untagged, or inoperable RV, camper, or boat trailer falls within that definition. On the street, RVs and boat trailers are subject to the general on-street parking framework in Chapter 22 of the Code of Ordinances.

Curb markings and colored-curb paint on Bowling Green public streets are installed and maintained only by the city following Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) standards; residents and property owners may not paint, alter, or add markings to a public curb. The underlying state-law no-parking distances incorporated through Kentucky Revised Statutes 189.450 still apply where paint has faded or is unmarked - including the 15-foot setback from any fire hydrant.

Bowling Green's main on-property parking limit comes from the Property Maintenance Code at BGKY C27 27.4.03: no junk motor vehicle may sit on a private lot for more than three calendar days unless enclosed in a building. The Zoning Ordinance also restricts where vehicles can be parked on a residential lot, and a vehicle parked across a public sidewalk or in a way that blocks the right-of-way is enforceable under Chapter 22 of the Code of Ordinances. Driveway approaches in the city right-of-way require a permit through Public Works.

Street parking in Bowling Green is governed by Chapter 22 (Traffic and Motor Vehicles) of the Code of Ordinances and the city's on-street parking guidelines, which follow Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) standards. Downtown has over 1,200 free public parking spaces across four marked areas (mint-colored signs), plus the 700-space Stadium Park Plaza garage. Two-hour limits posted on signs around Fountain Square are not actively enforced by police on city property. The state-law no-parking distances in KRS 189.450 apply citywide.

Bowling Green has no city-specific EV ordinance. EV charging is governed by Kentucky state law, including the 2022-enacted excise tax and surtax on EV charging dealers (currently $0.032 per kilowatt-hour in 2025) administered by the Kentucky Department of Revenue. The city has more than 100 public charging connectors across roughly a dozen sites, and in May 2026 the state opened Kentucky's 10th NEVI fast-charging site at the Casey's at 4455 Russellville Road. Installations in Bowling Green follow the state Building Code and Bowling Green's adopted electrical code.

Loading zones in Bowling Green are installed and signed by the city under Chapter 22 (Traffic and Motor Vehicles) of the Code of Ordinances, following Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) standards. Active loading and unloading on the street is not treated as 'parking' under state law (KRS 189.450). Most downtown deliveries use the network of free public lots and on-street spaces rather than dedicated loading zones; private downtown loading and turn-around areas are governed by Chapter 15 private-lot rules (most recently BG2026-3).

Bowling Green does not impose a citywide weight or length cap on commercial vehicles in residential neighborhoods, but every vehicle on the street is subject to Chapter 22 of the Code of Ordinances and to Kentucky Revised Statutes 189.450 (no parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, in an intersection or crosswalk, etc.) and KRS 189.751, which presumes any vehicle left on a city street for three consecutive days to be abandoned. The city has separately tightened private-lot towing under amendments to Chapter 15 (Business and General Regulations) most recently in 2026 (BG2026-3).

Bowling Green does not impose a citywide overnight parking ban on passenger vehicles. The functional limit comes from Kentucky Revised Statutes 189.751, which presumes that any vehicle left on a county road or city street for three consecutive days is abandoned, allowing the city to tow at the owner's expense. Downtown's free public garages - led by the 700-space Stadium Park Plaza at 360 E 8th Ave. - are available, and posted overnight restrictions in private lots are enforced through Chapter 15 private-lot towing rules (most recently amended by BG2026-3).

Abandoned vehicles in Bowling Green are governed primarily by Kentucky Revised Statutes 189.751: a vehicle left on a county road or city street for three consecutive days is presumed abandoned, the public authority can have it towed by a private storage/tow operator, and the responsible person faces a fine of $25 to $100 or 10 to 30 days. On private property, Section 27.4.03.a of the city Property Maintenance Code (BGKY C27 27.4.03) prohibits keeping any junk motor vehicle on premises longer than three calendar days unless enclosed in a building.

Bowling Green does not maintain a separate length- or weight-based oversized-vehicle ordinance on residential streets. The functional limits come from the universal Kentucky Revised Statutes 189.751 three-day abandonment clock for vehicles left on a city street, KRS 189.450 distance restrictions (no parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, in an intersection or crosswalk, etc.), and Section 27.4.03.a of the city Property Maintenance Code, which prohibits keeping any junk motor vehicle - regardless of size - on private premises longer than three calendar days outside an enclosed building.

All accessory buildings and structures in single-family and multi-family residential districts require a building permit under the Warren County/Joint Zoning Ordinance (Secs. 4.4.5.E and 4.5.4.F), but the City of Bowling Green's published guidance treats fences 7 feet and under as a free zoning-approval review rather than a paid building permit. Fences taller than 7 feet require a paid building permit with dimensional drawings. Fences on agriculturally zoned land of 2 acres or more do not require a permit (Sec. 4.3.6).

Retaining walls are regulated as structures under the Kentucky Building Code (815 KAR 7:120 adopting the 2018 International Building Code with Kentucky amendments) and the Kentucky Residential Code, both administered locally by the City of Bowling Green Building Division. Under the KBC/KRC, retaining walls more than 4 feet in height (measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall) require a building permit and engineered drawings; walls 4 feet or less that do not support a surcharge generally do not require a permit. The Warren County/Joint Zoning Ordinance does not separately regulate retaining-wall height but treats engineered walls as accessory structures with a 5-foot setback (Sec. 4.4.5.B).

Bowling Green fences are regulated by the Warren County/Joint Zoning Ordinance, administered by the City-County Planning Commission. In single-family residential districts (RR, R-E, RS-1A through RS-1D), a fence may be built to the property line with a 0-foot setback (table at Sec. 4.4.5.B). Accessory structures, except fences 4 feet or less in height, may not extend beyond the front of the principal structure (Sec. 4.4.5.E.1). In commercial districts the maximum fence height in the front yard is 4 feet in NB, GB, OP-R, and OP-C and 6 feet in CB and HB (Sec. 4.6.8.J.1).

Neither the City of Bowling Green Code of Ordinances nor the Warren County/Joint Zoning Ordinance contains a 'good-side-out,' partition-fence, or mandatory cost-sharing statute. Boundary-line and shared-fence disputes are private civil matters under Kentucky common law and KRS 256 (Division Fences). The City and Planning Commission do not survey property lines or adjudicate neighbor disputes - Sec. 4.4.5.E places fence placement responsibility on the property owner subject to the sight-distance rules in Sec. 1.14.

Residential pool barriers in Bowling Green follow Appendix G of the Kentucky Residential Code (adopted by 815 KAR 7:125), which mirrors the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC). Per Section AG105.2 the barrier must be at least 48 inches above grade, openings must not allow passage of a 4-inch-diameter sphere, gates must be self-closing and self-latching, and the latch must be at least 54 inches above grade or located on the pool side. The Warren County/Joint Zoning Ordinance Sec. 4.4.5.E.6.c additionally requires the pool area to be enclosed by a fence or other suitable barrier with a minimum height of not less than 4 feet, with openings small enough to prevent a child from entering other than through the gate.

Outside of the Local Historic Districts and the Cemetery Road and Lovers Lane Urban Growth Overlay Districts, the Warren County/Joint Zoning Ordinance imposes no specific fence-material requirements. Common materials including wood, vinyl/PVC, chain-link, masonry, stone, aluminum, tubular steel, and decorative wrought iron are all permitted in standard residential, commercial, and industrial zones, subject to the height, sight-distance, and drainage-easement rules in Sec. 4.4.5.E and Sec. 1.14.

Fences in Bowling Green and Warren County are regulated through the Warren County/Joint Zoning Ordinance as 'Accessory Structures' (Sec. 4.4.5.E for single-family, Sec. 4.5.4.F for multi-family, Sec. 4.6.8.J for commercial, Sec. 4.7.3.J for industrial). The default setback for residential fences is 0 feet (may be on property line, Sec. 4.4.5.B), but every fence must comply with sight-distance triangle requirements in Sec. 1.14 and must not encroach into recorded drainage easements. Fences over 4 feet in height may not extend beyond the front of the principal structure in single-family districts (Sec. 4.4.5.E.1).

The Warren County/Joint Zoning Ordinance does not restrict fence materials in standard residential, commercial, or industrial zones. Material restrictions apply only inside Overlay Districts: the Cemetery Road (KY 234) and Lovers Lane (KY 880) Urban Growth Overlay Districts allow wood, masonry, stone, vinyl/PVC, tubular steel or aluminum, agricultural fence, and decorative wrought iron, but prohibit chain-link (Secs. 4.9.3.E.5 and 4.9.3.F.5). The Historic Overlay District (Chestnut Dodd, Upper East Main, College Hill, Downtown Commercial Local Historic Districts) prohibits vinyl, wooden split-rail, and all chain-link fences (Secs. 4.9.4.G.1, 4.9.4.H.1, 4.9.4.I.1).

Bowling Green Code Section 5-1 requires that all dogs be on a leash or confined on the owner's premises at all times. Dogs found in violation may be impounded at the Bowling Green-Warren County Humane Society. Under Kentucky state law (KRS 258.215 and 258.235), all dogs three (3) months or older must be vaccinated against rabies and wear a current rabies tag; Warren County administers the local dog/cat licensing program.

The Bowling Green Code of Ordinances does not contain a beekeeping-specific section. Beekeeping is governed by Kentucky Revised Statutes Chapter 252 (Apiaries), administered by the Kentucky State Apiarist within the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA). Kentucky beekeepers may be required to report colony information to the Commissioner, and KRS 252.190 authorizes KDA rules to control bee diseases. Hives must not violate Bowling Green's general nuisance provisions, and any for-profit operation keeping more than six animals (broadly defined) must also obtain a Multiple Animal Permit under Section 5-1.06.

Bowling Green Code of Ordinances Section 5-1.07 (Poultry Restrictions) allows a maximum of five (5) non-crowing poultry per property. Roosters and crowing poultry or peafowl are prohibited inside the city limits. Hens must be confined on the owner's premises by a fence or structure in good repair, with secured gates. No city permit is required for five or fewer hens, but a Multiple Animal Permit (5-1.06) is required for any property keeping more than six total animals.

Bowling Green does not have a breed-specific ban. There is no pit bull ban or breed-restricted permit in the current Bowling Green Code of Ordinances. Instead, Section 5-1 regulates 'vicious or dangerous animals' on a conduct basis: any animal that attacks, bites, or physically injures a human, domestic animal, or livestock without adequate provocation, and any animal that has attacked without provocation, is presumed vicious or dangerous. Such animals must be kept in a securely fenced enclosure (minimum 5 ft x 10 ft, secure top and sides) and may only be transported muzzled and on a leash no longer than six (6) feet held by a responsible adult.

Bowling Green Code Section 5-1.16 (Exotic or Wild Animals) prohibits anyone from owning, harboring, or keeping any exotic or wild animal inside the city without (1) the required permit from the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) where state law requires one, AND (2) written permission from the City of Bowling Green Neighborhood and Community Services Department. Kentucky state law (KRS 65.877 and 301 KAR 2:082) lets local governments ban inherently dangerous wildlife; KDFWR prohibits private personal possession of lions, tigers, bears, cheetahs, leopards, jaguars, gorillas, chimpanzees, hippopotamuses, African buffalo, hyenas, Komodo dragons, elephants, and other inherently dangerous species.

Bowling Green is an urban jurisdiction. Cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine, ducks, geese, turkeys, and peafowl are not authorized in city residential zoning districts. The only farm-style animals allowed on a city residential lot are up to five (5) non-crowing hens under Section 5-1.07 - and roosters/crowing poultry are expressly prohibited. Larger livestock generally requires agricultural zoning in unincorporated Warren County outside the city limits.

Bowling Green does not have a city-specific wildlife-feeding ordinance, but Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) rules apply citywide. KDFWR prohibits feeding wildlife (corn, millet, milo, safflower seed, sunflower seed, thistle, wheat, or any manufactured feed/food product) statewide from March 1 through July 31. Bird feeders within the curtilage of the home (immediate yard) are permissible year-round, and salt/mineral licks are permitted statewide outside of CWD Surveillance Zones (Warren County is not currently in the CWD Surveillance Zone).

Bowling Green Code of Ordinances Chapter XXVI § 26-7 (Vegetation Maintenance) requires that any and all pruning of a PUBLIC tree comply with the ANSI A300 (Part 1)-2001 Pruning standard. Trees that grow over a public right-of-way must be maintained so the lowest limb is at least 15 feet above the right-of-way. Property owners may not allow vegetation to obstruct sidewalks, streets, or sight lines. Pruning of private trees on private property is not regulated by the City — but Kentucky follows the 'Massachusetts Rule' on overhanging branches.

Bowling Green has adopted the 2015 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) under Chapter 27 of the Code of Ordinances. IPMC Section 302.4, as amended locally, designates 10 inches as the maximum height of weeds or plant growth on properties in the City — except parcels used for agricultural purposes. Crops, trees, bushes, flowers, and other ornamental plants are excluded from the height measurement; the property owner is responsible for grass on their lot and into the adjacent right-of-way (property line to curb).

Bowling Green Code § 26-8 (Tree Removal) states: 'No person shall remove, cut above the ground or disturb any public tree without approval of the City of Bowling Green except to perform routine maintenance.' Requests for approval go through the City. Removal must include the entire tree and stump, refill the area with soil, re-seed or replant, cause no damage to City or third-party property, and be performed safely. Removal of trees on private property by the owner is not regulated by the City — Kentucky has no statewide private-tree protection law.

Bowling Green Municipal Utilities (BGMU) supplies water to City customers and many Warren County customers via the Barren River intake. BGMU does not impose mandatory year-round watering schedules. The utility encourages voluntary conservation — water during cool parts of the day, check irrigation for over-spray onto pavement, fix leaks. Kentucky has no statewide watering restriction. Mandatory restrictions are reserved for declared drought conditions or system emergencies under the BGMU Rules and Regulations.

Bowling Green enforces nuisance vegetation through Chapter 27 (Property Maintenance) — the City's adopted 2015 International Property Maintenance Code — specifically IPMC § 302.4, which declares any weeds or plant growth, including grass, in excess of 10 inches to be a nuisance. Crops, trees, bushes, flowers and other ornamental plants are excluded. The owner is responsible to the curb line, including the right-of-way. Citations go to the Bowling Green Code Enforcement and Nuisance Board (Code § 2-21).

Kentucky imposes no state-level restriction on residential rainwater harvesting. Bowling Green has no ordinance prohibiting or restricting rain barrels or cisterns for residential use. Rainwater harvesting is encouraged in Bowling Green's karst environment because every gallon captured is a gallon that does not enter the karst stormwater system carrying yard chemicals. The City's Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual (§ 21-2 of the Code) treats rainwater harvesting as a credited stormwater BMP.

Bowling Green has no City ordinance restricting native, drought-tolerant, or pollinator-friendly landscaping on private property. The Bowling Green Community Tree Advisory Board (Code § 26-4) publishes a 'Right Tree, Right Place' guide and an Invasive Plants list that actively encourages native species. The City's 10-inch height rule (IPMC § 302.4) excludes 'trees, bushes, flowers or other ornamental plants,' so intentional native and pollinator gardens are compatible with the property maintenance code.

Bowling Green has no ordinance prohibiting artificial turf on residential property. No City permit is required to install synthetic turf on a private lot. The City-County Joint Zoning Ordinance (Article 4.6.8) requires LIVE plant material — not synthetic turf — to satisfy required Vehicle Use Area (VUA) landscape buffers and interior parking-lot landscaping at commercial sites. HOA covenants may impose private restrictions independent of City rules.

Bowling Green and Warren County share a Joint Zoning Ordinance that distinguishes a low-impact 'Home Office' (permitted by right, no signage, no customers) from a 'Home Occupation' (requires a Conditional Use Permit from the Board of Adjustment). Home Occupations are listed in Sec. 5.2.2.C and allow up to two non-resident employees.

By-right Home Offices under Sec. 5.2.2.B may not host any customer, clientele, or public visits. Conditional Use Permit Home Occupations under Sec. 5.2.2.C may host limited customers but must not generate traffic 'in greater volumes than would be expected in a residential neighborhood,' and additional parking may be required by the Board of Adjustment as a CUP condition.

Bowling Green allows in-home care of 3–6 unrelated children as a Conditional Use Permit Home Occupation under Joint Zoning Ord. § 5.2.2.C(4). Larger child care centers are a separate 'Day Care' use under § 5.2.3.C requiring CUP approval and Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services licensing under KRS Chapter 199 and 922 KAR 2:100.

A by-right Home Office in Bowling Green is prohibited from any signage under Sec. 5.2.2.B(1). A Conditional Use Permit Home Occupation under Sec. 5.2.2.C may install one monument or wall sign limited to 6 square feet maximum, with no change to the dwelling's residential character.

Kentucky's Home-Based Processor and Home-Based Microprocessor laws (KRS 217.136 and KRS 217.137, implemented by 902 KAR 45:090) allow home production of certain non-potentially-hazardous foods with a $60,000 combined gross annual sales cap. The Barren River District Health Department registers processors locally. Bowling Green still applies its Home Office or Home Occupation zoning rules.

Bowling Green requires a Conditional Use Permit from the City-County Board of Adjustment for any 'Home Occupation' under Joint Zoning Ord. § 5.2.2.C. A no-customer, no-signage 'Home Office' under § 5.2.2.B is permitted by right and needs no CUP. Only one Home Occupation permit is granted per dwelling unit.

Per Warren County/Joint Zoning Ordinance Sec. 4.4.5.E.6.a (single-family) and Sec. 4.5.4.F.4.a (multi-family), 'All swimming pools with a water depth of 3 feet or greater shall require a building permit.' Permits are issued by the City of Bowling Green Building Division (270-393-3615) inside city limits or by Warren County Building Services outside city limits. Plans are reviewed for compliance with the Kentucky Residential Code (815 KAR 7:125) including Appendix G pool barrier requirements and the zoning ordinance setback and barrier rules.

Bowling Green's pool safety rules derive from Appendix G of the Kentucky Residential Code (815 KAR 7:125) - the state's adoption of the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code framework - and Warren County/Joint Zoning Ordinance Sec. 4.4.5.E.6. Required safety measures include a 48-inch minimum barrier (AG105.2), self-closing/self-latching gates that open outward, no climbing aids near the barrier (AG105.4), and either a powered safety cover (ASTM F 1346), door alarms (UL 2017), or approved alternative when a dwelling wall is part of the barrier.

Bowling Green pool barriers must satisfy both the local zoning standard in Warren County/Joint Zoning Ordinance Sec. 4.4.5.E.6.c (minimum 4-foot fence, child-proof openings) and Appendix G of the Kentucky Residential Code, Section AG105.2. The KRC standard requires a 48-inch minimum barrier, no opening that allows a 4-inch sphere to pass, self-closing/self-latching gates that open outward, and a latch at least 54 inches above grade (or pool-side with restricted openings).

Hot tubs and spas in Bowling Green are governed by Appendix G of the Kentucky Residential Code (815 KAR 7:125). Permanently installed spas and hot tubs must be designed and constructed in compliance with ANSI/NSPI-3 (AG104.1); portable spas and hot tubs to ANSI/NSPI-6 (AG104.2). The key barrier exception is AG105.5: 'Spas or hot tubs with a safety cover which comply with ASTM F 1346 shall be exempt from the provisions of this appendix.' This means a hot tub with a compliant rigid safety cover does not require the 48-inch pool barrier - the cover itself is the barrier.

Bowling Green Building Division does not require a residential building permit for a detached storage shed, playhouse, or similar accessory structure under 200 square feet unless electrical service is added. Under Joint Zoning Ord. § 4.4.5.E, all accessory structures must sit behind the front facade of the principal dwelling and meet the accessory structure setback for the zone (typically 5 feet from side and rear lot lines).

Bowling Green allows 'Accessory Apartments' in the RR, R-E, RS-1A, RS-1B, RS-1C, and RS-1D zones under Joint Zoning Ord. § 4.4.5.E(5), but with three significant local restrictions: occupancy is limited to family members of the principal residence (plus one caretaker), the owner must occupy the primary residence, and floor area is capped at 50 percent of the principal structure. Kentucky has no statewide ADU mandate.

Converting a garage into habitable space in Bowling Green requires a building permit and electrical permit from the Building Division because it is a change of occupancy under the Kentucky Residential Code. If the conversion creates a second dwelling unit it must meet the Accessory Apartment rules in Joint Zoning Ord. § 4.4.5.E(5) — family-member occupancy only, max 50% of principal floor area, owner must occupy main house.

A tiny home on a permanent foundation in Bowling Green is treated as either a single-family dwelling or an Accessory Apartment and must meet the Kentucky Residential Code (815 KAR 7:125) and the Joint Zoning Ordinance. Tiny homes on wheels (RVs, trailers, park-model RVs) are expressly prohibited as residences in residential zones under Joint Zoning Ord. § 4.4.5.E(4).

Detached carports in Bowling Green are accessory structures regulated by Joint Zoning Ord. § 4.4.5.E. A residential building permit is required from the Building Division for any carport 200 sq ft or larger. Carports must sit behind the front facade of the principal dwelling and meet the accessory structure setback (5 feet from side and rear lot lines in RS-1 zones).

Bowling Green is a Phase II MS4 community under the Kentucky Division of Water's KPDES MS4 General Permit (KYG20) and runs its local stormwater program out of Chapter 21 of the Code of Ordinances. Because Bowling Green sits on top of a karst aquifer with sinkholes, caves, and underground streams, every drop of stormwater eventually finds the groundwater — so the City treats stormwater quality as a groundwater protection program, not just a surface-water program. The program is administered by Public Works Stormwater Management at 1011 College Street, (270) 393-3628.

Grading and drainage in Bowling Green is regulated through Chapter 21 of the City Code and Appendix B (Stormwater Management Guide) of the Warren County Subdivision Regulations. The CRITICAL rule is Section 21-3.01(b): any alteration that changes stormwater flow into a sinkhole, drainage crevice, dry well, ditch, closed system, catch basin, or other drainage facility — natural or constructed — requires prior written approval from the Public Works Director or designee. Detention and retention basins must be sized for the 100-year storm.

Bowling Green requires Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control (EPSC) measures on every land-disturbing activity of 750 square feet or more under City Ordinance 21-2.03. An EPSC plan signed by a City Certified EPSC Contractor must accompany the permit application. Sites disturbing one acre or more must also develop a full Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) and enroll in the Kentucky KPDES Construction Stormwater General Permit (KYR10) administered by the Kentucky Division of Water.

Bowling Green is a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the Community Rating System (CRS) for flood-insurance discounts. Floodplain administration is run jointly with Warren County through the Warren County City County Planning Commission, with Floodplain Manager Jacob Merriman at 1141 State Street, (270) 842-1953. Regulated areas are the FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) along the Barren River, Drakes Creek, and the city's many karst tributaries and interior streams. Any development inside the SFHA requires both a local floodplain development permit and a Kentucky Division of Water Stream Construction Permit under KRS 151.250.

Bowling Green opted IN to host medical cannabis dispensaries. The Warren County City County Planning Commission adopted zoning amendments in spring 2024 limiting medical cannabis retail to properties zoned Highway Business (HB), prohibiting locations adjacent to agricultural or residential districts, requiring at least one mile between dispensaries, and barring locations within 1,000 feet of any school, college, or daycare. The City of Bowling Green Board of Commissioners followed with a local licensing ordinance in early 2025. Three Bowling Green dispensary licenses have been issued by the Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis.

Home cultivation of marijuana is PROHIBITED in Bowling Green and across Kentucky. The state's medical cannabis program (SB 47 of 2023 as amended by HB 829 of 2024) authorizes only licensed cultivators, processors, dispensaries, and safety compounders — there is no patient-grow or caregiver-grow allowance. Personal cultivation of cannabis remains a criminal offense under KRS 218A.1422 (marijuana cultivation) regardless of medical-card status. Recreational marijuana is not legal in Kentucky.

Solar PV systems in Bowling Green require an electrical permit from the Building Division at minimum, and a building permit if structural modifications are involved. Residential new-service electrical permits are $200; commercial electrical work is $150 plus 1% of cost over $30,000. The state-adopted Kentucky Building Code (KRS 198B; 815 KAR 7:120) governs structural and electrical requirements through the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction. Interconnection and net metering are handled by Warren Rural Electric Cooperative or Bowling Green Municipal Utilities (BGMU) depending on service territory.

Kentucky does NOT have a statewide solar-rights statute that overrides HOA restrictions — a sharp contrast with Florida, California, Texas, Colorado, and Arizona. Bowling Green homeowners in an HOA are bound by whatever the recorded Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) and the architectural review committee allow. Kentucky law only recognizes voluntary solar easements between adjoining property owners under KRS 381.200 and provides general nonprofit-corporation governance for HOAs through KRS Chapter 273 and (for newer planned communities) the 2023 Planned Community Act (SB 120).

Bowling Green allows campaign signs on private property with the owner's permission. Signs are prohibited in any city right-of-way or utility easement and may not be attached to trees, utility poles, or traffic signs. Residential lots under 2 acres may display up to 10 temporary signs (8 sq ft max each); lots over 2 acres may use 16 sq ft signs. Commercial parcels under 5 acres get 4 signs at 16 sq ft; over 5 acres at 32 sq ft. City staff may remove non-compliant signs without prior notice. Rules sit in Article 4 of the Warren County / Bowling Green Joint Zoning Ordinance.

Bowling Green prohibits all signs — including garage sale and yard sale signs — in any city right-of-way or utility easement, on trees, utility poles, or traffic signs. Temporary garage-sale signs must be on the same private property as the sale (counted within the 10 residential temporary-sign cap at up to 8 sq ft on lots under 2 acres). City staff may remove off-premise directional signs without notice. Rules are in Article 4 of the Joint Zoning Ordinance.

Bowling Green does not set a calendar-based take-down date for residential holiday lights or seasonal decorations. They are not regulated as 'signs' under Article 4 of the Joint Zoning Ordinance as long as they remain non-commercial. Practical limits come from the city's sidewalk-obstruction rule (City Code 21-1.02), the Chapter 27 nuisance provisions, and HOA rules. Excessively bright lighting aimed at neighbors or that creates a public-safety hazard can be cited as a nuisance.

Residential trash collection in Bowling Green is provided by Scott Waste Services under a city franchise. City Code Chapter 20 (Solid Waste Collection) makes Scott the authorized residential hauler, requires use of approved containers, and prohibits unauthorized collectors. Containers must be lidded, set at the curb on the scheduled collection day, and removed promptly. Overflowing, uncovered, or off-day containers can trigger code enforcement. Chapter 20 violations are punishable by fines up to $100 per offense, each day a separate offense.

Under City Code Chapter 27 (Property Code), Bowling Green applies the same property-maintenance standards to vacant and occupied lots. The city has amended Section 302.4 of the International Property Maintenance Code to set a 10-inch maximum height for weeds or plant growth on any non-agricultural property — anything taller is declared a nuisance. Owners are responsible for the lot plus the easement and right-of-way from property line to curb. Non-compliance triggers a notice, then city abatement (mowing) billed to the owner.

Bowling Green does not require a city permit or business license for a residential garage sale of personal household items. The City Code does not set an express limit on the number of garage sales per year, but residential temporary signs are capped at 10 per lot (8 sq ft max each on lots under 2 acres) under Article 4 of the Joint Zoning Ordinance, and off-premise directional signs in the right-of-way are subject to immediate removal by Code Compliance. Garage sales must remain occasional and casual — running a regular retail business from a home requires home-occupation zoning approval.

Under City Code Chapter 27 (Property Code) and Section 27-5.05, it is unlawful to place, leave, deposit, or keep discarded or dilapidated items, trash, garbage, junk, or rubbish on any private property in Bowling Green — such items are declared a public nuisance. The city has adopted the 2006 International Property Maintenance Code with local amendments. Vacant structures and lots must be kept clean, safe, secure, and sanitary. Code Compliance issues a notice of violation; non-compliance can lead to city abatement billed to the owner and citations adjudicated by the Code Enforcement and Nuisance Board.

Bowling Green does not impose a specific time-deadline (e.g., '24 hours after snow stops') for residents to shovel snow off the public sidewalk. Under City Code 21-1.02, however, every owner or occupant must keep the sidewalk and right-of-way adjacent to their building or lot 'open and free from obstructions' — and the Public Works Director may treat accumulated snow or ice as an obstruction. Temporary obstructions must be removed within 24 hours; the Public Works Director may order immediate removal of an obstruction in an emergency. City snowplows clear streets, not sidewalks.

Bowling Green has not adopted a stand-alone dark-sky or outdoor lighting ordinance. Site lighting for commercial, multi-family, and institutional projects is regulated through the City-County Planning Commission's joint Zoning Ordinance (BG Code Chapter 27) and site-plan review (warrenpc.org), which applies glare and trespass controls during development approval. About 30 miles north of Bowling Green, Mammoth Cave National Park was certified by DarkSky International as Kentucky's first International Dark Sky Park on October 28, 2021, after retrofitting more than 700 outdoor fixtures - but the certification covers the National Park, not Bowling Green city limits.

Bowling Green's solid waste collection is governed by Chapter 20 of the City Code. Residential collection inside the city limits is provided by Scott Waste Services under a franchise arrangement — private hauling is prohibited under Section 20-1.02. Recycling collection is similarly limited to Warren County's designated recycling Franchisee. Customers can reach Scott Waste at (270) 783-4016 to set up service. Violations of Chapter 20 carry fines up to $100 per offense per day under Section 20-1.05, and certain code-enforcement actions can escalate to $500 per day.

Bulk items such as furniture, mattresses, and appliances are collected by Scott Waste Services on request — call (270) 783-4016 to schedule. Brush and limbs are part of regular yard-waste collection with a 4-foot, 50-pound, 3-cubic-yard-per-week cap. Loose leaves are collected by City Public Works on a 10-zone schedule November through mid-December. Construction and demolition debris, hazardous materials, electronics, and refrigerant-containing appliances are excluded from residential collection and must be hauled separately or taken to the Warren County Convenience Centers. Illegal dumping — especially into sinkholes — is enforced under both Chapter 20 of the City Code and KRS 224.43-815.

Bowling Green residential carts are serviced by Scott Waste Services using automated side-arm trucks, which requires customers to place carts at the curb with clearance from cars, mailboxes, hydrants, and other carts. Carts should be at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day with the wheels toward the house and the lid arrows toward the street. Brush and limbs must be cut to 4 feet or less, bundled to under 50 pounds, and stacked beside the cart — not in it. Section 20-1.03 of the City Code regulates where containers may be located.

Federal law (FAA Part 107 for commercial; 49 U.S.C. § 44809 for recreational) governs the airspace over Bowling Green — the City cannot regulate altitude or flight paths. Kentucky's state drone statute (codified at KRS 183.110 and the reckless-operation provisions from 2017 HB 540) bars reckless flight that creates a serious risk of injury or property damage. Locally, Warren County Parks designated Ephram White Park as an official drone launch site, working with the Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport. The Bowling Green airport sits in Class D / E airspace and requires FAA LAANC authorization to fly nearby.

Under Ordinance BG2019-50 (City Code 15-7 and 15-8.02), Bowling Green permits mobile food units and pushcarts to operate on public rights-of-way only with a permit and annual sticker. Vendors on private property need the landowner's permission. The ordinance requires sticker visibility, insurance compliance, and adherence to generator-noise and fire-code standards. Operations are subject to the underlying zoning of the location (Article 4 of the Joint Zoning Ordinance) and may not block sidewalks or rights-of-way under City Code 21-1.02.

Operating a mobile food unit (food truck) or pushcart on Bowling Green public rights-of-way requires a permit under Ordinance BG2019-50, codified at City Code 15-7 and 15-8.02 (Mobile Food Unit Vendor Regulations). The City of Bowling Green Office of Occupational License (270-393-3000) issues a color-coded pre-numbered sticker valid for the calendar year — it must be affixed in a publicly visible location on the unit. Vendors must carry $1 million Commercial General Liability and $1 million Combined Single Limit Auto Liability, plus Kentucky workers' comp. The Barren River District Health Department issues the required mobile food establishment health permit.

Bowling Green residential setbacks are set in Joint Zoning Ord. § 4.4.5.B. In RS-1A and RS-1B: 25 ft front, 10 ft side (RS-1A) / 7.5 ft (RS-1B), 25 ft rear. RS-1C: 25/7.5/25. RS-1D: 25/5/25. Rural Residential and R-E require 25 ft front, 25/10 ft side, 25 ft rear. Detached accessory structures need 5 ft from side and rear lot lines and must sit behind the principal dwelling's front facade.

Bowling Green Code § 26-8 requires that approved removals of public trees include re-seeding or replanting the disturbed area. Replacement species for public planting come from § 26-5 (Public Tree Planting) and must avoid the undesirable list in § 26-5.02. For commercial/multi-family development, the Warren County/BG Joint Zoning Ordinance Article 4.6.8 requires landscape replacement and interior VUA trees as a condition of site plan approval. Private-property tree removal does not trigger City replacement.

Bowling Green does not maintain a regulated 'heritage tree' registry under Chapter XXVI. The Bowling Green Tree Board and the Sierra Club of Bowling Green jointly run the 'Big Trees of Bowling Green' inventory at bgky.org/tree/big-trees-of-bg, which is recognition-only and does not create extra removal restrictions. Statewide, the Kentucky Division of Forestry (KRS 149) maintains the Kentucky Champion Trees registry (96+ species, 10 also National Champions). Champion status is honorary and does not preempt § 26-8.

Bowling Green requires City approval ONLY for removal, cutting, or disturbance of PUBLIC trees (City-owned trees and trees in the public right-of-way) under Chapter XXVI § 26-8. Removal of a tree on purely private property does not require a City permit — Kentucky has no statewide private-tree protection law. Tree care companies operating within the City fall under § 26-9, with abatement under § 26-10 and penalties under § 26-11.

Bowling Green's tree code is consolidated in Chapter XXVI (Public Trees) of the Code of Ordinances, sections 26-1 through 26-12. The Bowling Green Community Tree Advisory Board (§ 26-4) advises the City; § 26-5 governs public tree planting and species selection; § 26-6 addresses tree topping; § 26-7 sets vegetation maintenance and ANSI A300 pruning standards; § 26-8 requires City approval to remove a public tree; § 26-9 regulates tree care companies; §§ 26-10–26-12 cover abatement, penalties, and enforcement. Bowling Green has been a Tree City USA continuously since 1994.

Bowling Green does not publish an HVAC-specific noise rule. Residential and commercial HVAC equipment (heat pumps, condensers, pool heaters, generators, rooftop units) falls under the general 'excessive noise' policy of Subchapter 9-3 Section 9-3.01 plus the Chapter 27 (Property Code) nuisance framework, and is installed under the state-adopted Kentucky Mechanical Code through the city's Building Division.

Bowling Green does not have a bamboo-specific ordinance. Bamboo is not on Kentucky's noxious weed list maintained under KRS 176.051, but the Kentucky Exotic Pest Plant Council (KY-EPPC) lists running bamboo (Phyllostachys and Bambusa spp.) as documented invasive on Kentucky forest land. Spreading bamboo is generally a private civil/common-law nuisance issue between neighbors; if bamboo grows into a Code-defined nuisance, it can be cited by Bowling Green Code Compliance under the City's overgrown-vegetation / nuisance-abatement provisions.