Richmond adopts updated alcohol-licensing ordinance; blasts permit fee change set for next reading

The Richmond City Board of Commissioners on second reading adopted Ordinance 25-25, modernizing the city's alcohol-licensing rules and penalties and clarifying application and renewal procedures.

City counsel summarized the ordinance changes on the floor, saying the code was outdated and amendments simplify language, remove obsolete license categories, and require state license applications be submitted through the Kentucky ABC portal while local applications be filed concurrently on the city’s ABC page. Counsel said the ordinance clarifies license expiration and renewal deadlines and revises several license fees. The attorney also stated that first-time violations are treated as a class B misdemeanor with the possibility of heightened penalties for subsequent violations under KRS 243.990.

Separately, the commission held a first reading of Ordinance 25-26 to reconcile inconsistent blasting-permit fees in the code. The proposed amendment reduces the blasting-permit fee from $500 to $50 to match other localities and correct a discrepancy between sections; the attorney said the change likely stemmed from a scrivener’s error and will return for a vote at the next regular meeting.

Both items drew procedural questions from commissioners but no substantive opposition during the meeting. Ordinance 25-25 passed by unanimous roll-call vote; Ordinance 25-26 will be considered on a future agenda.