Code Enforcement
City Code Enforcement officers work to ensure that all Codes and Ordinances currently in effect for the city are abided by city business, and residents living within the city.
It is the officer’s goal to abate each situation, initially applying the simplest methods which will produce the desired compliance quickly. In most situations, once the violation has been brought to the violator’s attention, the matter is corrected.
To report what you perceive to be any Code or Ordinance violation telephone St. Matthews Code Enforcement at (502) 899-2512 or email via the Contact Us online form. Please provide as much details as possible, especially address of your concern, to assist the Code Enforcement officer in abating the situation.
Listed below are a few of the common violations reported.
A property with tall grass / weeds
Per City of St. Matthews ordinance, grass must not be taller than 8 inches. Report property with unkempt grass, You must provide the property location, along with any other pertinent information that will assist the enforcement officer in abating the situation. NOTE: If rodents have been observed, contact Louisville Metro Health Department by dialing 311 for Metro Call assistance.
A vehicle parked improperly
Report vehicles parked improperly on city streets or on residential property, such as in front yards. Parking on the street and off street in a right-of-way is permitted with some restrictions. Provide the property location, vehicle description, along with any other pertinent information that will assist the enforcement officer in abating the situation.
ATTENTION: For vehicles illegally parked in No Parking, Fire Zones or designated Handicap parking spaces, telephone the St. Matthews Police Department dispatcher at (502) 893-9000. The police officer must see the violation as it is happening. Provide the property location, vehicle description, along with any other pertinent information that will assist the police officer in abating the situation.
STM Code Enforcement Board
In September 2024, the city established a Code Enforcement Board designed, by ordinance, with the intention to protect, promote, and improve the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens residing within the city by authorizing the creation of an administrative board with the authority to issue remedial orders and impose fines in order to provide an equitable, expeditious, effective, and inexpensive method of ensuring compliance with the ordinances in force within the city.
Regular meetings of the Code Enforcement Board shall be held at the City Hall located at 3940 Grandview Avenue, at the hour of 6 p.m. on the 1st Tuesday day each month if there is business to be undertaken. Meetings other than those regularly scheduled shall be special meetings or emergency meetings held in accordance with the requirements of the Kentucky Open Meetings Act.
Examples of the Powers of the Code Enforcement Board are:
- To conduct hearings to determine if there has been a violation of an ordinance over which it has jurisdiction.
- To make findings of fact and issue orders necessary to remedy any violation of a city ordinance or code provision which the board is authorized to enforce.
- To impose civil fines, as authorized, on any person found to have violated an ordinance over which the board has jurisdiction. The city shall possess a lien on property found to have a violation for all civil fines for the violation and for all charges and fees incurred by the city in connection with the enforcement of the Ordinance, including abatement costs.”
Qualifications to Serve
The board consists of three active members and two alternates, all of whom must be residents of the city for a period of at least one (1) year prior to the creation of the board and shall reside there throughout the term in office and shall be at least twenty-one years of age. Members of the Code Enforcement Board shall be nominated for appointment by the mayor with confirmation by the city council.
To view ordinance 24-04 click here.
