The Louisville Metro Council approved an amendment to Chapter 156 of the Metro Code of Ordinances to reduce fines, liens, and abatement costs for owner-occupied properties. Specifically targeting homeowners eligible for the Kentucky Homestead Exemption, the ordinance allows a 40% reduction of property code enforcement liens, up to $15,000, under specific conditions: the property must be owner-occupied for 15 years, in compliance with all regulations at the time of application, and free from other violations in the past decade. The change aims to preserve generational wealth, reduce burdens on seniors, and support compliance through payment plans without interest accumulation during the plan period. The amendment includes language to exclude properties under legal dispute and restricts applications to one every five years.
This ordinance promotes housing stability and generational wealth retention for longtime Louisville residents, especially seniors. It represents a shift toward equitable code enforcement while incentivizing compliance and neighborhood maintenance.