Lexington, KY Property Maintenance: Vacant Lot Maintenance (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Code of Ordinances § 12-81
- Review body
- 7-member vacant property review commission
- Abatement window
- 90 days after certified notice
- Hearing request deadline
- 20 days to dispute finding
- Ultimate remedy
- Eminent domain under KRS Ch. 416
Summary
Lexington-Fayette treats a neglected vacant or unimproved lot as 'blighted or deteriorated' property under Sec. 12-81, opening the door to a formal review-commission process, a 90-day abatement demand, and, if ignored, eminent domain proceedings against the parcel.
Blighted or deteriorated property shall mean any vacant structure or vacant or unimproved lot or parcel of land in the Urban Service Area or in any residential neighborhood outside of the Urban Service Area: Which because of its physical condition or use is regarded as a public nuisance at common law or has been declared a nuisance in accordance with the housing, building, plumbing, fire or related codes; or ... Which by reason of neglect or lack of maintenance has become a place for accumulation of trash and debris or a haven for rodents or other vermin; or Which has been tax delinquent for a period of at least three (3) years; or Which has not been rehabilitated within the time constraints placed upon the owner by the appropriate governmental agency.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Republication | Zoning Ordinance: Republication).
Full Breakdown
Sec. ' The seven-member vacant property review commission created under Sec. 12-82, appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the urban county council, certifies these findings. Once the commission makes an initial blight determination under Sec. 12-89, it must notify the owner by certified mail and demand abatement of the cited conditions within 90 days; an owner who disputes the finding can request a hearing in writing within 20 days. If the owner doesn't correct the property in time, Sec. 12-92 lets the urban county council pursue eminent domain proceedings against the lot under KRS Chapter 416.
This runs parallel to, not instead of, the everyday weed-height and trash rules in Sec. 12-2, which apply to every property including vacant ones and are enforced separately through code citations.
Violations & Fines
There's no fixed dollar fine written into the blight-review article itself; the consequence is procedural and can be severe. Ignoring a certified blight notice starts a 90-day abatement clock under Sec. 12-89, and failure to correct the conditions clears the way for the urban county council to condemn the lot through eminent domain under Sec. 12-92 and KRS Chapter 416: separate from any weed or trash citations issued under Sec. 12-2.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a vacant lot 'blighted' under Lexington's code?
How much time do I get to fix a blighted vacant lot?
Can the city take my vacant lot if I don't fix it?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lexington
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