Kentucky Ordinances (2026)

Kentucky Residential Code applies uniform construction standards to accessory dwelling units statewide, while local zoning controls whether and where ADUs may be built.

Kentucky Residential Code applies uniform structural standards to carports statewide, requiring permits for permanent attached or freestanding installations beyond exemption thresholds.

Kentucky Residential Code requires garage-to-living conversions statewide to meet uniform standards for ceiling height, egress, ventilation, and energy efficiency.

Kentucky Residential Code exempts small accessory sheds from permit requirements statewide, while larger structures must meet uniform construction standards enforced locally.

Kentucky enforces a uniform statewide residential building code through the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, applying tiny house standards consistently across all jurisdictions.

Kentucky requires beekeepers to register colonies with the State Apiarist and comply with disease inspection requirements. The state regulates apiary health uniformly under KRS Chapter 252, ensuring consistent oversight of honey bees across all jurisdictions.

Kentucky prohibits importing, possessing, or transporting designated inherently dangerous wildlife as exotic pets. The Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources enforces these rules statewide, applying uniformly across all counties and cities regardless of local preferences.

Kentucky's Office of Medical Cannabis licenses dispensaries under KRS Chapter 218B with statewide buffer requirements and a local opt-out system, allowing cities and counties to prohibit or restrict dispensaries through ordinance or ballot referendum.

Kentucky law prohibits home cultivation of cannabis by patients, caregivers, and the general public. The medical cannabis program created under KRS Chapter 218B does not authorize personal grows, and recreational cultivation remains a felony under KRS 218A.1423.

Kentucky law authorizes cities and counties to adopt juvenile curfew ordinances under home-rule powers, with parental responsibility provisions enforceable statewide.

Commercial drone operations in Kentucky require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, with airspace rules preempting local restrictions. State law adds protections against surveillance over critical infrastructure and private property under KRS 183.123 and related statutes.

Recreational drone operation in Kentucky is governed primarily by FAA rules under 14 CFR Part 107 and the Recreational UAS Safety Test, with state criminal statutes addressing voyeurism, harassment, and interference with public safety, while local airspace regulation is largely preempted.

Kentucky law sets the state minimum wage at the federal floor and bars local governments from establishing higher minimum wages. Court rulings have invalidated local ordinances that exceeded state law.

Kentucky has no statewide paid sick leave mandate, and state law preempts local ordinances requiring employer-provided paid leave. Private employers set their own leave policies subject to federal protections.

Kentucky has no predictive scheduling law, and state preemption prevents local governments from adopting fair workweek or scheduling ordinances. Employers retain broad discretion to set schedules under state and federal law.

Kentucky requires state approval before any construction, fill, or obstruction within the 100-year floodplain or stream channel under KRS 151.250, administered by the Division of Water in addition to local NFIP floodplain ordinances.

Kentucky's Energy and Environment Cabinet administers the Kentucky Pollutant Discharge Elimination System for stormwater discharges, requiring permits for construction sites disturbing one or more acres and for regulated MS4 communities under federally delegated Clean Water Act authority.

Kentucky has no statewide residential fence height law. Each city and county sets its own front-yard, side-yard, and rear-yard limits through local zoning under KRS Chapter 100. KRS Chapter 256 (the Boundary Line Fence Act) only governs agricultural partition fences between adjoining farm owners — it does not regulate residential fence height. Where no local ordinance applies, common-law nuisance and recorded covenants control.

Kentucky's division fence statutes require adjoining landowners to share construction and maintenance costs of boundary fences when both enclose their property. The framework applies statewide.

Kentucky's residential swimming pool barrier requirements derive from the state-adopted International Residential Code. Local jurisdictions may not weaken the four-foot barrier and self-closing gate standards.

Kentucky law restricts brush and natural debris burning under KRS 149.400, allowing only natural plant matter to be burned and prohibiting daytime burns near woodland during forest fire hazard seasons.

Kentucky law universally defines and regulates consumer fireworks under KRS 227.700-227.750, sets a minimum purchase age of 18, prohibits display fireworks without a permit, and requires retailer registration with the State Fire Marshal.

Kentucky law universally prohibits outdoor burning between 6 AM and 6 PM within 150 feet of woodland during forest fire hazard seasons (Feb 15-Apr 30 and Oct 1-Dec 15), unless the ground is snow covered.

Kentucky State Fire Marshal regulates LP-gas storage statewide under KRS 234.180 and 815 KAR 10:060, requiring NFPA 58 compliance and permits for installation of all flammable and combustible storage vessels.

Kentucky law defines statewide forest fire hazard seasons under KRS 149.400, applying universally to any property within 150 feet of woodland, brushland, or dry vegetation across all 120 counties.

Kentucky allows permitless concealed carry for adults 21 and older legally able to possess firearms, while continuing to issue concealed deadly weapon licenses. Local governments cannot impose stricter rules than state law.

Kentucky law preempts local firearms regulation, reserving authority to the General Assembly. Cities, counties, and urban-county governments cannot enact ordinances regulating firearms, ammunition, or components beyond limited exceptions in state law.

Open carry of firearms is generally lawful for adults in Kentucky who can legally possess a firearm. State preemption prevents local governments from banning open carry, though specified posted locations remain off-limits.

Kentucky allows lawful adults to carry firearms openly or concealed inside a motor vehicle without a permit. Permitless concealed carry at 21 and statewide preemption prevent local governments from imposing stricter vehicle carry rules.

Kentucky permits home-based food sales under the Home-Based Processor and Microprocessor program administered by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, with statewide rules that override conflicting local food production restrictions for qualifying low-risk products.

Kentucky requires state certification or licensure for any home caring for children from more than one unrelated family, with capacity limits, background checks, and inspection standards set by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services that preempt conflicting local rules.

Kentucky requires E-Verify use by certain state contractors and prohibits local mandates broader than state law. KRS 13B and related statutes condition state contracts and grants on verifying employment eligibility.

Kentucky prohibits sanctuary policies statewide. Under KRS 65A.020, enacted by HB 6 in 2024, no local government or public agency may adopt or enforce policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Kentucky law permits residential rainwater collection without state permits, with plumbing code compliance required only when systems connect to potable supply.

Kentucky imposes no statewide private tree removal permit requirement, with the Right-to-Farm Act protecting timber operations from local nuisance restrictions.

Kentucky's Division of Water and Public Service Commission oversee drought response, authorizing public water systems to impose mandatory conservation restrictions during emergencies.

Kentucky Department of Agriculture lists noxious weeds and authorizes county weed boards to require landowner control, with statewide quarantine and treatment authority.

Aircraft noise in Kentucky is regulated exclusively under federal law by the FAA. Neither the Commonwealth nor its municipalities may impose flight operation, altitude, or in-flight noise restrictions.

Kentucky has no statewide light trespass statute. Excessive light spillover onto neighboring property is actionable as a private nuisance under common law applied uniformly across the Commonwealth.

Kentucky's adopted Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act governs evictions in opt-in jurisdictions and does not require landlords to show just cause for non-renewal.

Kentucky has no statewide rent control statute, and the state's Dillon's Rule tradition combined with URLTA preemption leaves no local authority to enact rent caps on private property.

Kentucky law restricts how local governments may zone agricultural land. Counties and cities cannot use zoning to unreasonably interfere with bona fide agricultural operations, and certain farm uses are exempt from local zoning.

Kentucky's Right to Farm law protects established agricultural operations from nuisance suits and conflicting local ordinances. Farms operating for at least one year and following accepted practices receive strong legal protection.

Kentucky imposes a statewide 1% transient room tax on all short-term lodging rentals under 30 days, including Airbnb, VRBO, hotels, campgrounds, and RV parks. Hosts and facilitators must collect and remit this tax universally across the state.

Kentucky political signs receive First Amendment protection that limits content-based local regulation. State law restricts placement on highway rights-of-way and within polling place buffer zones.

Kentucky preempts local regulation of auxiliary containers, including plastic bags. Cities and counties cannot ban, tax, or restrict the use, sale, or distribution of single-use plastic bags or similar containers.

Kentucky's auxiliary container preemption statute also bars local restrictions on polystyrene foam cups, plates, and food containers. Foam packaging remains lawful statewide for retailers and food service.

Kentucky's auxiliary container preemption law prevents local governments from banning or restricting plastic straws and similar single-use utensils. Restaurants may distribute plastic straws without local fee or ban requirements.

Unlike many states, Kentucky has no statute prohibiting homeowners associations from restricting or banning rooftop solar panels. HOA covenants generally remain enforceable, applying universally across the state with limited statutory protections for solar access.

Kentucky's Home Solicitation Sales Act (KRS 367.410-460) universally grants consumers a three-business-day right to cancel any door-to-door sale of $25 or more, with mandatory written cancellation notice from sellers.

Kentucky adopts the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code through the state Residential and Building Codes, requiring four-foot barriers around residential pools. Standards apply uniformly statewide, though local building departments handle inspection and permit issuance.

Kentucky regulates public swimming pools, spas, and aquatic facilities through 902 KAR 10:120, setting uniform safety, sanitation, and lifeguard standards. Local health departments inspect facilities, but substantive safety rules are established statewide and cannot be weakened locally.

Kentucky prohibits the sale of tobacco, vapor, and alternative nicotine products to anyone under 21. The law conforms to federal Tobacco 21 standards and applies to all retail outlets statewide.

Kentucky has not enacted a statewide ban on flavored tobacco or vapor products. Sales remain lawful for buyers 21 and older, with limited authority for local boards of health to address public health concerns.

Kentucky regulates retail sales of vapor products through state licensing, age verification, and tax requirements. Retailers must verify ID for buyers under 30 and comply with packaging and signage standards.