Franklin County, KY Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Section 91.20 of the Franklin County Code, adopted by the Fiscal Court as Ord. 13-2018 on 7-19-2018, makes it unlawful for the owner, occupant or person having control of management of any land within the county, outside the corporate limits of the City of Frankfort, Kentucky, to permit the excessive growth of bushes, weeds or grass. The rule applies to three kinds of land: tracts containing less than two acres; tracts platted of record in the County Court Clerk's office on which development has commenced; and tracts occupied by single-family dwellings.

The section prints no height in inches or feet. The test is the word excessive, and the enforcing official decides when growth crosses it. Because the rule reaches the owner, the occupant or any person with control or management, a tenant or a property manager can be the responsible party.

Process follows in § 91.21. An official gives five days' notice to remedy, sent by first class mail to the last known address of the owner as it appears on the current tax assessment roll. The notice tells the owner to comply and continue to cut the weeds and grass or face the penalties in § 91.99(C). If the owner does not comply, the official is authorized to begin processing the violation through the court system immediately.

Section 91.22 names who enforces. The Fiscal Court declares the subchapter an exercise of its police power, and the Building Inspector, Codes Inspector, Sheriff or any peace officer is empowered to enforce it upon reference by the County Judge/Executive's office. Beyond prosecution, the county can send employees or other workers onto the property to cut the growth. It then holds a lien for the reasonable value of labor, materials and administrative costs. The enforcement official's affidavit is prima facie evidence of the amount of the lien, a statement of lien can be filed in the County Clerk's office, and the lien bears interest at 6% per annum until paid.