Jefferson County, KY Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)

Property maintenance in Jefferson County follows the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) as adopted in LMCO Chapter 156. Enforced by Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations and the Louisville Metro Code Enforcement Board. Common violations include peeling/deteriorating exterior paint, broken windows, missing siding, accumulated debris or trash, tall grass over 10 inches (LMCO §156), non-operative vehicles visible from streets, sagging roofs, and structural hazards. Louisville's Vacant and Abandoned Property Registry (LMCO §156.050) requires owners to register vacant properties within 30 days, pay an annual fee ($500+), and maintain the property to code. Notice of violation typically provides 10-30 day compliance windows. If uncorrected, the Code Enforcement Board issues a civil penalty order after hearing; fines accrue daily. Louisville Metro may abate nuisance conditions (mow lots, board structures, demolish dangerous buildings) and assess costs as liens on the property under KRS §82.700 and LMCO §156.999. Louisville's Vacant and Public Property Administration manages significant portfolio of code-enforced properties.