Party Plan

The Lexington Area Party Plan is an ordinance in Lexington specifically for partying.  In December of 2001, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council passed the countywide ordinance that allows police to heavily fine partiers for habitual noise disturbances. 

The Rules
Advice

Here are the RULES: 

• If the police have issued citations and/or made arrests at a place of residence at least TWO TIMES in ONE YEAR in response to a disturbance complaint, the property is eligible to be a “No Party Property.”

• If the police certify the property as a No Party Property, the certification lasts for ONE YEAR starting from the date of the initial certification.

• The police are required to NOTIFY the resident(s) and owner of the property of the certification. The notification must include a copy of the provisions of the ordinance, and must be delivered via personal service or registered mail.

• The resident(s) must also display a notification STICKER in a prominent place on the property while it is a No Party Property.

• If the police receive another disturbance complaint within the One-Year period of the certification, the resident(s) of the property will be FINED between $50 and $500 and the No Party Property certification is automatically extended for another ONE YEAR period beginning from the date of the most recent disturbance. (Note: If the police decide not to take action against the residents in response to the complaint, then the certification is not extended)

• If the police receive a SECOND complaint within ONE YEAR of the last incident, the resident(s) will be FINED $100 - $500 and the No Party certification is extended for another ONE YEAR period from the most recent disturbance.

• If the police receive a THIRD complaint within ONE YEAR of the last incident, the resident(s) will be FINED $250 - $500 and the certification is extended for another ONE YEAR.

• If the resident(s) want to APPEAL the police decision to certify the property as a No Party Property, they may PETITION the commissioner of public safety at any time. If it is sufficiently shown that the basis of the problem has been adequately fixed, then the commissioner can remove the No Party certification. (Public Safety Commissioner’s Office – (859) 258-3280, call to request information about how to petition.)

Here is some ADVICE for those who would still like to party:

• The No Party certification is levied against a PROPERTY, not a person. So, before you move into a new residence, make sure you ask the landlord whether or not the property has been certified as a No Party Property. 

• If you do move into a place that has already been certified as a No Party Property, you may be able to PETITION the commissioner of public safety and convince him/her that the party problem has been fixed. (Public Safety Commissioner’s Office – (859) 258-3280, call to request information about how to petition.)

• Keep your parties quiet. Think respectfully. You can probably play music at 11pm, but if it is 5 am, make sure the stereo isn’t booming.

• Keep partiers away from the main streets around your residence. Don’t let 20 people crowd onto your front porch or in your front yard. The cops patrol the area and if they see signs of a party they will stop.

• Keep the windows facing the main streets around your residence covered with blinds or curtains. Once again, the cops patrol the area and if they see signs of a party they will stop.

• Don’t anger your neighbors by leaving beer bottles and other trash in their yards, streets, and driveways after a party. Even if someone at your party is responsible for the litter, you should clean it up.

• Don’t let anyone at your party vandalize any of your neighbors’ property. If someone does vandalize property, apologize the next day and offer to pay for it.

• Some people ask their neighbor’s permission to throw a party the day before the event. This lets the neighbors know that you care about their opinions.

• Keep basic friendly relations with your neighbors. You want to develop a good relationship with them if you want to keep them from calling the cops.

Parking

Some rental units also come with reserved parking space nearby, but it is not required.  If you are unsure of your allotted parking space, ask your landlord. 

Towing – Many areas of Lexington are patrolled by the Bluegrass Towing Company.  If your parking lot is patrolled, your landlord should give you a sticker to put in your car window.  Make sure this sticker is visible.  BE SURE TO ASK YOUR LANDLORD ABOUT TOWING! Bluegrass Towing will tow your car despite any excuses.  The average cost to retrieve a car after it has been towed is $50-90. 

Parking on Sidewalks or in Yards – It is unlawful to park any vehicle on the sidewalk, utility strip, or other area designated for pedestrian use.  It is also unlawful to park in the front or side yard except on an approved residential driveway.

Twenty-Four Hour Parking – Vehicles may not be parked at the curb of any street for more than 24 hours. The Division of Police may issue a 24-hour warning notice and the vehicle may be impounded if it is not moved within 24 hours after the notice is issued.

Blocking Driveways – Parking in front of a public or private driveway is prohibited. Violations of this ordinance are handled by the Metro Division of Police (859) 258-3600

Large Vehicles – Large vehicles may not be parked on residential streets for longer than 2 hours except when loading or unloading. A large vehicle is defined as one exceeding seven feet in width, 20 feet in length or seven and one-half feet in height. Out-of-county visitors may park recreational vehicles for 24 hours on a residential street if they obtain a visitor’s permit from the Division of Police.

Fines - Parking FINES must be paid to the Urban County Government’s Division of Revenue.  This can be done in person, on the second floor of the Government Center at 200 E. Main Street, or by mail to PO BOX 14058, Lexington, KY 40512.  The Revenue office is open from 8am – 6pm, Monday – Friday.  PARKING FINES NOT PAID WITHIN 30 DAYS ARE DOUBLED.

Pets

If you would like to keep a pet in your rental unit, be sure to ask your landlord.  Some landlords do not allow pets at all.  Other landlords will let you keep a pet under certain conditions; the landlord may charge an extra fee. The landlord may want to perform a major cleaning of the unit after you are gone (keep in mind that the person living in the unit after you may be allergic to pets).  Here are some city rules to consider:

Vaccinations and Licenses – State law requires that all dogs be licensed and vaccinated for rabies.  Lexington’s Code of Ordinances also requires that cats be licensed and the regulations of the Fayette County Health Department require cats to be vaccinated for rabies.  In Lexington-Fayette County, dog and cat licenses cost $5 and are available from the Lexington Humane Society or from participating local veterinarians.

Leash Law – Dogs must be confined behind a fence or otherwise securely restrained while on the owner’s property.  A dog may be kept unleashed and unconfined on the owner’s property only if the owner is present with the animal and the dog is under the owner’s direct control and supervision.  Violators of this Ordinance can be fined $10 to $50 for each offense. Animal control officers are legally allowed to impound any dog running at large.  Dogs may run off the leash only in certain marked areas of Masterson Station and Jacobson parks when in Lexington.  It’s always a good idea to leash or restrain dogs when maintenance or utility workers are expected on your property.

Barking Dogs – It is unlawful to have a dog whose barking or yelping creates a noise disturbance across the boundaries of your residence.  Violators may be charged under the noise ordinance and fined $25 to $500.  Violations of this ordinance are handled by the Metro Division of Police 258-3600.

Dog Litter – Owners should not allow dogs to deposit droppings in public places or on the property of others.  When you walk your dog, make sure you take something with you to clean up after it.  Make sure to clean up your dog’s droppings in your own yard, too, so they don’t accumulate and create a health hazard.  Put the droppings in a bag or other container before placing them in the garbage Herbie and never dispose of dog litter in a creek or storm sewer.