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Hopkinsville board declares 821 E. 18th St. unsafe and votes to have city demolish structure
Summary
Inspectors found major foundation, roof and interior failures at 821 East 18th Street, and the Code Ordinance Enforcement Board ordered the structure and its accessory building torn down after finding an unsafe structure and assessing fines.
The City of Hopkinsville Code Ordinance Enforcement Board declared the single-family house at 821 East 18th Street an unsafe structure and authorized city abatement, including demolition of the accessory structure, the board said at its July 2025 meeting.
Hopkinsville Fire Department code enforcement officer Darnell West testified that the property was inspected after a tree fell in the street and that inspectors found foundation failures, missing or rotten siding, an unsecured back door that allowed interior access, missing shingles and evidence of interior collapse and exposed wiring. West said water was cut off in February 2025, electric in March 2025 and gas in October 2024.
West said the property scored 13 of 18 applicable items (72 percent) on the city’s unsafe-structure checklist, exceeding the 51 percent threshold used for enforcement. He told the board the notice of violation was posted May 29 and a citation was posted June 16. West also reported no contact from the property owner and said city staff had noted overgrown grass; he said he believed people had been accessing the structure since inspectors left in May.
Board action: a board member moved to declare the structure unsafe; the motion carried by voice vote. The board then voted to assess the minimum fine of $350 plus a $200 administrative fee and to authorize the city to tear down the structure and its accessory building if the owner did not cure the violations.
Details: West presented interior photos showing collapsed ceiling areas, a kitchen and living spaces left with fixtures and debris, exposed electrical breaker locations with missing covers and a toilet observed in an interior room used as storage. West also told the board that the property had outstanding 2024 taxes of $23.79 and no prior case history on the property. He said he could not fully inspect the accessory structure because of overgrowth but believed it would be included in abatement if the owner did not act.
Process notes: West requested normal enforcement channels rather than emergency demolition; the board followed the usual notice-and-hearing process before authorizing abatement. The board’s order includes standard appeal rights and allows the city to pursue demolition if the owner fails to comply.
