Louisville-Jefferson County, Kentucky, KY Municipal Code

Current through Ordinances passed by the Council and approved by the Mayor as of May 20, 2026.. Official source: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/louisvillemetro/latest/overview

Every town writes its own rules, and Louisville-Jefferson County, Kentucky's live in its municipal code — 229 chapters covering day-to-day questions like fences, parking, pets, permits and property upkeep. Below is the full map of what the code covers.

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What's in the Louisville-Jefferson County, Kentucky code

1. LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT
2. TITLE I: GENERAL PROVISIONS
3. CHAPTER 10: GENERAL PROVISIONS
4. CHAPTER 20: ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
5. CHAPTER 21: ETHICS CODE
6. CHAPTER 22: RECORDS MANAGEMENT
7. TITLE III: ADMINISTRATION
8. CHAPTER 30: EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT AND OFFICE OF INTERNAL AUDIT
9. CHAPTER 31: RESERVED
10. CHAPTER 32: ADMINISTRATIVE BODIES
11. CHAPTER 33: ELECTIONS
12. CHAPTER 34: MERIT BOARD FOR EMPLOYEES OF CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS AND COMMISSIONS
13. CHAPTER 35: PERSONNEL POLICIES
14. CHAPTER 36: POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS; AUXILIARY POLICE FORCE
15. CHAPTER 37: PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES
16. CHAPTER 38: TAXATION
17. CHAPTER 39: METRO GOVERNMENT POLICIES
18. CHAPTER 40: FUNDS
19. CHAPTER 41: WEAPONS
20. CHAPTER 42: METRO-OWNED PROPERTIES
21. CHAPTER 43: CEMETERIES.
22. CHAPTER 44: OPEN DATA POLICY
23. TITLE V: PUBLIC WORKS
24. CHAPTER 50: SEWERS
25. CHAPTER 51: SOLID WASTE
26. CHAPTER 52: WATER
27. CHAPTER 53: PUBLIC SERVICE CORPORATIONS
28. TITLE VII: TRAFFIC CODE
29. CHAPTER 70: GENERAL PROVISIONS
30. CHAPTER 71: TRAFFIC RULES
31. CHAPTER 72: PARKING REGULATIONS
32. CHAPTER 73: EQUIPMENT AND LOADS
33. CHAPTER 74: BICYCLES, MOTORCYCLES, AND ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES
34. CHAPTER 75: DRIVEWAY PERMITS
35. CHAPTER 76: TRAFFIC SCHEDULES
36. TITLE IX: GENERAL REGULATIONS
37. CHAPTER 90: SMOKE FREE LAW
38. CHAPTER 91: ANIMALS
39. CHAPTER 92: DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES; FAIR HOUSING
40. CHAPTER 93: EMERGENCY SERVICE TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS LINES
41. CHAPTER 94: FIRE PREVENTION
42. CHAPTER 95: HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
43. CHAPTER 96: HEALTH REGULATIONS AND NUISANCES
44. CHAPTER 97: STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
45. CHAPTER 98: BOAT REGULATIONS
46. CHAPTER 99: NOISE
47. CHAPTER 100: PARADES AND PUBLIC ASSEMBLIES
48. CHAPTER 101: UNSOLICITED WRITTEN MATERIALS
49. CHAPTER 102: TREES
50. CHAPTER 103: SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY CHANGE EFFORTS
51. TITLE XI: BUSINESS REGULATIONS
52. CHAPTER 110: OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE TAX
53. CHAPTER 111: ADULT ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS
54. CHAPTER 112: PROHIBITED BUSINESS PRACTICES
55. CHAPTER 113: ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
56. CHAPTER 114: AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLING DEALERS AND JUNKYARDS
57. CHAPTER 115: REGULATIONS GOVERNING SPECIFIC BUSINESSES
58. CHAPTER 116: COMMUNICATIONS SERVICE
59. CHAPTER 117: RESERVED
60. CHAPTER 118: FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS
61. CHAPTER 119: REGISTRATION OF RENTAL HOUSING UNITS
62. CHAPTER 120: HAZARDOUS WASTE FACILITIES
63. CHAPTER 121: HOTELS, MOTELS AND SIMILAR BUSINESSES
64. CHAPTER 122: INSURANCE COMPANIES
65. CHAPTER 123: REGULATIONS GOVERNING PAWNBROKERS, SECONDHAND DEALERS, AND SECONDARY METALS RECYCLERS
66. CHAPTER 124: ARMED SECURITY OFFICERS
67. CHAPTER 125: ESCORT BUREAUS
68. CHAPTER 126: TEMPORARY SALE OR DISPLAY OF MOTOR VEHICLES
69. CHAPTER 127: BURGLARY AND HOLD-UP ALARM SYSTEMS
70. CHAPTER 128: BUILDING EMERGENCY RESPONSE REGISTRY
71. TITLE XIII: GENERAL OFFENSES
72. CHAPTER 130: GENERAL PROVISIONS
73. CHAPTER 131: OFFENSES AGAINST PROPERTY
74. CHAPTER 132: OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC PEACE
75. CHAPTER 133: OFFENSES AGAINST MORALS
76. CHAPTER 134: OFFENSES AGAINST PERSONS
77. CHAPTER 135: WEAPONS CONTROL
78. CHAPTER 136: RESERVED
79. CHAPTER 137: JUVENILE OFFENSES
80. TITLE XV: LAND USAGE
81. CHAPTER 149: CRIMINAL ACTIVITY NUISANCES
82. CHAPTER 150: BUILDING REGULATIONS
83. CHAPTER 151: LANDLORD AND TENANT CODE
84. CHAPTER 152: MOVING STRUCTURES
85. CHAPTER 153: PLANNING
86. CHAPTER 154: PROPERTY ASSESSMENT AND REASSESSMENT MORATORIUM PROGRAMS
87. CHAPTER 155: SIGNS
88. CHAPTER 156: PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE
89. CHAPTER 157: FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE
90. CHAPTER 158: LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST
91. CHAPTER 159: EROSION PREVENTION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL ORDINANCE
92. CHAPTER 160: DOWNTOWN MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
93. CHAPTER 161: NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLANS
94. CHAPTER 162: OVERLAY DISTRICTS
95. CHAPTER 163: DEVELOPMENT AREAS
96. CHAPTER 164: SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT CHARGES FOR ROADWAYS
97. CHAPTER 165: ENERGY PROJECT ASSESSMENT DISTRICT PROGRAM
98. CHAPTER 166: SUBURBAN CITY ANNEXATION REQUESTS
99. CHAPTER 167: RESERVED
100. CHAPTER 168: GREATER LOUISVILLE LODGING MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
101. CHAPTER 169: ANTI-DISPLACEMENT
102. TABLE OF SPECIAL ORDINANCES
103. TABLE I: ANNEXATIONS
104. TABLE II: EASEMENTS
105. TABLE III: ARENA / DEVELOPMENT AREAS
106. TABLE IV: REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS
107. TABLE V: PRESERVATION DISTRICTS
108. TABLE VI: WATER SERVICE EXTENSIONS
109. TABLE VII: URBAN RENEWAL ORDINANCES
110. TABLE VIII: BONDS
111. TABLE IX: TAX RATES
112. TABLE X: SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS
113. TABLE XI: UNION CONTRACTS AND RECOGNIZED BARGAINING UNITS
114. TABLE XII: OTHER AGREEMENTS AND CONTRACTS
115. TABLE XIII: FRANCHISES
116. TABLE XIV: LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE
117. TABLE XV: REAPPORTIONMENT AND REDISTRICTING
118. PARALLEL REFERENCES
119. REFERENCES TO KENTUCKY REVISED STATUTES
120. REFERENCES TO REPEALED LEGISLATION
121. REFERENCES TO MERIT BOARD RULES
122. REFERENCES TO 1994 JEFFERSON COUNTY CODE
123. REFERENCES TO JEFFERSON COUNTY ORDINANCES
124. REFERENCES TO 1999 LOUISVILLE CODE
125. REFERENCES TO LOUISVILLE RESOLUTIONS
126. REFERENCES TO LOUISVILLE ORDINANCES
127. REFERENCES TO LOUISVILLE METRO RESOLUTIONS
128. REFERENCES TO LOUISVILLE METRO ORDINANCES
129. LOUISVILLE-JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO, KY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE
130. Chapter 1 General Provisions
131. Chapter 1 Part 1 Introduction
132. Chapter 1 Part 2 Definitions
133. Chapter 1 Part 3 Nonconformance
134. Chapter 1 Part 4 Maintenance of Common Facilities
135. Appendix 1A LDC Adoption Status
136. Chapter 2 Zoning Districts
137. Chapter 2 Part 1 General Provisions
138. Chapter 2 Part 2 Residential Zoning Districts
139. Chapter 2 Part 3 Office/Residential Zoning Districts
140. Chapter 2 Part 4 Commercial Zoning Districts
141. Chapter 2 Part 5 Industrial Zoning Districts
142. Chapter 2 Part 6 Special Purpose Zoning Districts
143. Chapter 2 Part 7 Planned Village Development
144. Chapter 2 Part 8 Planned Development District
145. Chapter 3 Special Districts
146. Chapter 3 Part 1 Floyds Fork Special Zoning Overlay District
147. Part 2 Jefferson Forest Special District (Reserved)
148. Part 3 Ohio River Corridor Special District (Reserved)
149. Part 4 Tyler Rural Settlement Special District (Reserved)
150. Chapter 4 Generally Applicable Development Standards
151. Chapter 4 Part 1 General Compatibility Standards
152. Chapter 4 Part 2 Conditional Uses
153. Chapter 4 Part 3 Permitted Uses with Special Standards
154. Chapter 4 Part 4 Accessory Uses and Miscellaneous Standards
155. Chapter 4 Part 5 Alternative Development Incentives
156. Chapter 4 Part 6 Development on Sites with Environmental Constraints
157. Chapter 4 Part 7 Development on Steep Slopes
158. Chapter 4 Part 8 Waterways and Wetlands Protection
159. Chapter 4 Part 9 Development on Karst Terrain
160. Chapter 4 Part 10 Community Facilities Review
161. Appendix 4A Acceptable Luminaires
162. Appendix 4B Approximate Lumens Output for Various Lamps
163. Appendix 4C Sample Light Readings
164. Appendix 4D Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA)
165. Appendix 4E Recreational Facilities Standards
166. Chapter 5 Form Districts
167. Chapter 5 Part 1 General Provisions
168. Chapter 5 Part 2 Traditional Form Districts
169. Chapter 5 Part 3 Suburban Form Districts
170. Chapter 5 Part 4 Residential Site Design Standards
171. Chapter 5 Part 5 Non-Residential/Mixed Use Design Standards
172. Chapter 5 Part 6 Building Design Standards
173. Chapter 5 Part 7 Transition Standards
174. Chapter 5 Part 8 Street and Roadside Design Standards
175. Chapter 5 Part 9 Transit and Connection Standards
176. Chapter 5 Part 10 Traffic Impacts
177. Chapter 5 Part 11 Form District Open Space Standards
178. Chapter 5 Part 12 Special Design Requirement
179. Appendix 5A Green Development Design Criteria
180. Chapter 6 Mobility Standards
181. Chapter 6 Part 1 Access Management
182. Chapter 6 Part 2 Streets and Rights-of-Way
183. Chapter 6 Part 3 Street Name Change, Street Closing, Street Naming and Site Addressing
184. Chapter 6 Part 4 Design Standards for Transit
185. Chapter 6 Part 5 Traffic and Air Quality Assessment
186. APPENDIX 6A JEFFERSON COUNTY ADDRESSING MANUAL
187. Chapter 7 Subdivision Regulations
188. Chapter 7 Part 1 General Provisions and Definitions
189. Chapter 7 Part 2 Procedures for Major Subdivisions
190. Chapter 7 Part 3 Standards of Designs for Major Subdivisions
191. Chapter 7 Part 4 Minimum Improvements for Major Subdivisions
192. Chapter 7 Part 5 Preliminary Plan for Major Subdivisions
193. Chapter 7 Part 6 Construction Plan for Major Subdivisions
194. Chapter 7 Part 7 Record Plat for Major Subdivisions
195. Chapter 7 Part 8 Minor Subdivisions
196. Chapter 7 Part 9 Standard Certificate Forms
197. Chapter 7 Part 10 Enforcement
198. Chapter 7 Part 11 Conservation Subdivisions
199. Appendix 7A Conservation Subdivision Street & Sidewalk Guidelines
200. Chapter 8 Sign Regulations
201. Chapter 8 Part 1 On-premise Sign Regulations General Provisions
202. Chapter 8 Part 2 Sign Illumination and Movement
203. Chapter 8 Part 3 Permanent On-Premises Signs
204. Chapter 8 Part 4 Sign Review Board and Exceptional Signage
205. Chapter 9 Parking and Loading
206. Chapter 9 Part 1 Motor Vehicle Parking Standards
207. Chapter 9 Part 2 Bicycle Parking Standards
208. Chapter 10 Tree Canopy, Landscaping and Open Space
209. Chapter 10 Part 1 Tree Canopy
210. Chapter 10 Part 2 Landscape Design
211. Chapter 10 Part 3 Parkway and Scenic Corridor Development Standards
212. Chapter 10 Part 4 Implementation Standards
213. Chapter 10 Part 5 Streetscape Master Plan
214. Chapter 10 Appendix A Preferred and Prohibited Plant List
215. Chapter 10 Appendix B TREE PRESERVATION POLICY AND PROCEDURES
216. Chapter 11 Development Review Procedures
217. Chapter 11 Part 1 Administrative Officials
218. Chapter 11 Part 2 Subdivisions
219. Chapter 11 Part 3 Planned Developments
220. Chapter 11 Part 4 Zoning and Form District Map Amendments
221. Chapter 11 Part 5A Conditional Use Permits
222. Chapter 11 Part5B Variances
223. Chapter 11 Part 6 Development Plans
224. Chapter 11 Part 7 Appeals
225. Chapter 11 Part 8 Waivers
226. Chapter 11 Part 9 Fees
227. Chapter 11 Part 10 Enforcement
228. Chapter 11 Part 12 Floyds Fork Special Zoning Overlay District Waivers
229. Appendix 11A Fee Schedule