(A) An appeal from any final order issued by a Code Enforcement Board may be made to the Hopkins District Court 30 days of the date the order is issued. The appeal shall be initialed by the filing of a complaint and a copy of the code enforcement board's order in the same manner as any civil action under the Rules of Civil Procedure. The District Court shall review the final order de novo. If the Court finds that a violation occurred, the property owner, resident, tenant, occupant, persons having control or management of the property, or other violator shall be ordered to abate the violation and pay to the city all fines, charges, costs penalties and/or fees, including administrative fees occurring as of the date of the judgment. If the District Court finds a violation did not occur, the city shall be ordered to dismiss the notice of violation or citation.
(B) The action before the District Court shall be tried de novo and the burden shall be upon the city to establish that a violation occurred. If the Court finds that a violation occurred, the property owner, resident, tenant, occupant, persons having control or management of the property, or other violator shall be ordered to abate the violation and pay to the city all fines, charges, costs penalties, and/or fees, including administrative fees occurring as of the date of the judgment. If the District Court finds a violation did not occur, the city shall be ordered to dismiss the notice of violation or citation.
(C) A judgment of the District Court may be appealed to the Circuit Court in accordance with the Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure.
(D) If no appeal from a final judgment, decision or order of the Code Enforcement Board is filed within the time period set in division (A) above, the Code Enforcement Board's order shall be deemed final and enforceable for all purposes provided herein.
(Ord. 92A, passed 8-19-2013; Am. Ord. 2016-02, passed 7-14-2016; Ord. 2023-03, passed 5-16-2023; Ord. 2023-04, passed 5-16-2023)