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Hopkinsville enforcement board finds camper used as residence, imposes fine and 90-day abatement
Summary
The Hopkinsville Code Ordinance Enforcement Board found a zoning violation after a code officer testified that a camper was being used as a residence on B4 property. The board assessed the minimum fine ($500) plus a $200 administrative fee and gave 90 days to remove the camper and related items.
The Hopkinsville Code Ordinance Enforcement Board voted March 10 that the city had proved a zoning violation at a Russellville Road property where a camper was being used as living quarters on land zoned B4 (business). The board assessed the minimum statutory fine—$500—plus a $200 administrative fee and ordered property owners or their representative to clear the camper, trailer and other items creating the violation within 90 days.
The case began when Code Enforcement Officer Tommy Holloman presented photographs, inspection dates and a citation timeline. Holloman told the board the property had been cited repeatedly (citation dates cited to the board included March 19, 2025; July 11, 2025; Aug. 12, 2025; and Feb. 17, 2026) and that the inspector observed a camper being used as a dwelling on a parcel without any other dwelling on site.
An authorized representative for the owners, who identified himself in the record as Bobby Biheu (also known as "Cowboy"), said he had been storing a semi trailer and planned to run a barbecue concession on the lot. He said he had temporarily lived in the camper because he had no other housing, described efforts to clean the lot, and alleged selective enforcement and harassment; he said he had tried to find an attorney but could not obtain one.
Board discussion focused on the facts necessary to establish a violation under the city code. One member moved that the city had carried its burden of proof; the motion passed. On penalty, the board discussed abatement options and voted to assess the minimum fine and administrative fee while allowing 90 days for removal to avoid immediate city abatement action.
The board’s order gives the property owners a remediation window and preserves their right to appeal the board’s final order to the Christian District Court within 30 days, as the chair explained in the hearing instructions. The board’s decision was limited to whether the cited ordinance was violated; questions about rezoning or broader enforcement patterns were referred to Community and Development Services for follow-up.
Next steps: the board’s written order will record the penalty and the 90-day timeline; the respondent retains the right to appeal to the Christian District Court.
