Georgetown, KY Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Section 26-2(1) prohibits the erection, use or maintenance of a dwelling unfit for human habitation. A dwelling includes any part of a building or its premises used as a place of residence or for sleeping, and it is unfit when dangerous or detrimental to life or health because of want of repair, defects in drainage, plumbing, lighting, ventilation or construction, infection with contagious disease, or an unsanitary condition likely to cause sickness. Section 26-2(2) separately covers buildings so out of repair that they endanger people on adjoining streets by collapse or falling parts. It adds that failure to maintain lawfully required water, sewer or a source of heat is conclusive evidence of an unfit dwelling, and for a residential rental the list also includes electrical service.

Section 26-2(4) covers dilapidated buildings that are a fire hazard, endanger public health, welfare or safety through lack of maintenance or neglect, or materially interfere with the peaceful enjoyment of adjacent property.

Article II layers the state blight program on top. Section 26-30 adopts KRS 99.700 to 99.730, and § 26-31 assigns the duties of a vacant property review commission to the code enforcement board. Under § 26-34, the city cannot start eminent domain proceedings unless the board certifies the property as blighted or deteriorated. The board must find that the owner was sent an order to eliminate the violations, that the property is vacant, that it is blighted and deteriorated, and that the notice period has expired without compliance. The notice goes by certified mail, return receipt requested, or is posted on the property if the owner's address cannot be found. It demands abatement within 90 days of receipt, and the board can extend that period if the owner shows it is insufficient. Section 26-35 lets the city proceed to eminent domain under KRS ch. 416 once it finds the property is a serious and growing menace and the owner failed to correct it.

The 2012 International Property Maintenance Code is adopted, and § 8-165 adds a $100.00 administrative fee, secured by lien, on top of the cost of closing a vacant structure or demolishing an unsafe one.