(A) Every person in charge of a landmark and a landmark site or a property in a historic district shall keep in good repair: all of the exterior portions of such buildings or structures; and all interior portions thereof which, if not so maintained, may cause such buildings or structures to deteriorate or to become damaged or otherwise to fall into a state of disrepair. The purpose of this section is to prevent a person from forcing the demolition of his or her building by neglecting it and by permitting damage to the building because of weather or vandalism. No provision in this chapter shall be interpreted to require an owner or tenant to undertake an alteration or to restore his or her building to its original appearance.
(B) Ordinary repairs and maintenance may be undertaken without a certificate of appropriateness provided this work on a landmark, a landmark site or a property in a historic district does not change its exterior appearance that is visible to the public. The Historic Districts Commission and its approved guidelines will determine what is considered ordinary repairs and maintenance.
(C) An owner shall immediately notify the city of emergency conditions dangerous to life, health or property affecting a landmark, a landmark site or a property in a historic district, and the owner shall immediately start and complete the work required to make his or her property safe. In any case where the city determines that there are emergency conditions dangerous to life, health or property affecting a landmark, a landmark site or a property in a historic district, the city shall order the remedying of these conditions without the approval of the Commission. The city shall promptly notify the Chairperson of the Commission of the action being taken.
(D) The Commission shall request a meeting with a property owner when his or her landmark or his or her building in a historic district is in poor repair, and the Commission shall discuss with the owner ways to improve the condition of his or her property.
(E) The provisions of this section shall be in addition to all other provisions of the Kentucky Building Code and/or BOCA Basic/National Existing Structures Code 1984 requiring buildings and structures to be kept in good repair.
(Ord. 7-89, passed 7-3-1989; Ord. 25-2005, passed 1-3-2006)