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Paducah introduces ordinance tightening rental-occupancy inspections, prompting landlord concerns
Summary
City commissioners introduced amendments to the rental-occupancy permit ordinance that narrow discretionary standards in favor of code-based "safety issue" criteria, add landlord contact and lease attestation requirements, change inspection timing to 5 business days, allow technical consultations, and create a publicly available compliant-properties list; landlords at the meeting said fees and repeated inspections could be burdensome.
The Paducah Board of Commissioners on Dec. 9 introduced amendments to Chapter 42 that revise how residential rental occupancy permits and inspections are handled.
City staff said the ordinance replaces a subjective "nuisance" standard with a defined "safety issue" tied to fire, electrical, building or plumbing code violations and adds procedural and record-keeping changes: landlords or their agents must provide email addresses with permit applications; the initial inspection window will change from three to five business days after application; the code official may consult engineers or specialty inspectors as needed; and landlords will be asked to provide a lease attestation that permits entry with reasonable notice.
The ordinance would create a publicly available list of "compliant properties" (properties with no visible code violations at last inspection) and enumerates grounds for removal from that list, including condemnation under the fire code, three failed follow-ups or repeated refusal to permit entry. It also says that, when considering revocation for criminal acts, the code official may reference local law enforcement records and final orders related to nuisances but that a mere charge "may not automatically result in revocation."
Deputy Chief Cherry and legal staff said the changes follow recommendations from the Kentucky League of Cities and are intended to remove subjective criteria so owners and tenants know which code standards apply. The staff estimated finance's landlord list includes approximately 1,200 property owners (the list includes commercial rental properties that staff will then winnow for applicability).
During public comment, Shannon Crockett, who identified himself as a local property investor, said the changes felt like an "occupancy tax" on residential rentals, would impose recurring costs (a $100 initial inspection fee and $50 annual renewal fee per unit), and could be passed on to tenants. Crockett asked the city to consider the economic effect and offered to meet with staff to discuss details; officials agreed to schedule a follow-up meeting.
The ordinance was introduced (first reading) and seconded at the meeting; further readings and a vote remain scheduled for future meetings.
What happens next: Staff will refine administrative policies (including the prioritized inspection system) and bring subsequent readings of the ordinance back to the commission. City staff invited concerned landlords to meet with department representatives for more information.
