Chapter 156 Property Maintenance Code (PDF) - Louisville Metro ...

irreparable, shall be immediately confiscated and/or destroyed.
(1) Unsafe structure. An unsafe premises is one in which all or part thereof is found to be dangerous to life,
health, property, or the safety of the public or its occupants by not providing minimum safeguards for protection from
fire or because it contains unsafe equipment or its is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, structurally unsafe, or of such
faulty construction or unstable foundation that partial or complete collapse is possible, or because of the existence of a
public nuisance, as defined herein.
(2) Unsafe equipment. Unsafe equipment includes any boiler, heating equipment, cooking equipment,
elevator, moving stairway, electrical wiring or device, flammable liquid containers or other equipment on the premises
or within the structure which is in disrepair or condition that is a hazard to life, health, property or safety of the public
or occupants of the premises or structure, or is not approved for use by the Code Official.
(3) Structure unfit for human occupancy. A structure is unfit for human occupancy or use whenever the Code
Official finds that it is unsafe, unlawful, or because of the degree in which it lacks maintenance or is in disrepair, is
unsanitary, vermin or rat infested, contains filth and contamination, or lacks ventilation, illumination, sanitary or
heating facilities or other essential equipment required by this chapter, or because its location constitutes a hazard to
its occupants or to the public.
(4) Unlawful structure. An unlawful structure is one found in whole or in part to be occupied by more persons
than, permitted under this chapter, or was erected, altered or occupied contrary to law.
(B) Closing of vacant structures. If the structure or part thereof is vacant and open to unauthorized entry, the
Code Official shall issue a notice to remedy the violation by instructing the owner of such premises to cover or secure
each door, window or other opening that is located within ten feet of grade or accessible from grade by stairs or roofs
within ten feet of grade. If condition only involves one dwelling unit in a structure, only that unit will be affected.
Upon failure of the owner to remedy the violation in accordance with the notice, the Code Official shall issue a
citation.
(1) On a recommendation in writing from the appropriate Fire Districts, Louisville Metro Fire Department,
Louisville Metro Police Department, Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness Department or the assessment of the
Code Official (in compliance with standards established in regulations as developed by the Code Official) that an
emergency exists, the Code Official may board a structure without prior notice to the owner. An "emergency" exists
for purposes herein when the boarding of the structure is necessary to protect and preserve the health, safety, or
property of the owner, tenants, or the public. In addition, the Code Official, on his or her own motion may board a
structure without prior notice to the owner when the structure has been ordered vacated pursuant to this chapter to
protect and preserve the health, safety or property of the owner, tenants, or the public, or after service of a warrant
executed pursuant to this chapter. The Code Official shall provide written notice to the owner and tenants of the
structure of the execution of an order to board as soon as possible.
(2) The Code Official may cause the utility service to be discontinued from a structure after it has been
unoccupied for a period of six months and does not meet the vacant building maintenance standards and is not in the
process of being rehabilitated as indicated by a valid building permit.
(C) Notice. Whenever the Code Official has condemned a structure or equipment under the provisions of this
section, notice shall be posted in a conspicuous place in or about the structure affected by such notice and served on
the owner or the person or persons responsible for the structure or equipment in accordance with this § 156.804. If the
notice pertains to equipment, it shall also be placed on the condemned equipment and the notice shall be in the form
prescribed in § 156.804.
(D) Placarding. Upon failure of the owner or person responsible to comply with the notice provisions within the
time given, the Code Official shall post on the premises or on defective equipment a placard bearing the word
"Condemned" and a statement of the penalties provided for occupying the premises, operating the equipment or
removing the placard.
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