ORDINANCE NO. ______, SERIES 2026
title
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE LOUISVILLE METRO CODE OF ORDINANCES ("LMCO") AND CREATING A NEW SECTION OF CHAPTER 32 REGARDING THE ISSUANCE, REQUIREMENTS, AND EXECUTION OF SEARCH WARRANTS. (AMENDMENT BY SUBSTITUTION)
body
SPONSORED BY: COUNCIL MEMBER DAN SEUM, JR.
WHEREAS, Administrative or Code Officers will encounter code violations involving risks to human health and safety that require prompt entry onto properties, yet currently there is no systematic method for gaining access to these properties; and
WHEREAS, non-compliance and potential dangers necessitating inspections of both public and non-public areas to protect the health and safety of the public can also arise in connection with commercial businesses including but not limited to massage parlors and smoking retail stores; and
WHEREAS, when there is reason to believe that a hazardous substance is present or emanating from a property that may present a threat to public health and safety, an inspection will be necessary to ensure protection of the surrounding community; and
WHEREAS, Louisville Metro Code Enforcement deals with a significant number of cases involving vacant and abandoned property with noncompliant property owners; and
WHEREAS, in 2024, the Louisville Metro Fire Department responded to 92 structure fires related with trespassing in vacant and abandoned properties; and
WHEREAS, administrative warrants are a best practice to ensure community safety and prompt compliance with local ordinances in instances where violations create a danger to the community; and
WHEREAS, codifying the administrative warrant process will ensure greater administrative and code officer consistency and enforcement while ensuring proactive judicial oversight of enforcement decisions.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I: Section 3...
Click here for full text