The City of Horse Cave is diligently working to clean-up and improve the appearance of our community by strictly enforcing the City's Property Maintenance Code. The City enforces the regulations known as the International Property Maintenance Code adopted by and through the City of Horse Cave by establishing minimum requirements and standards for the upkeep and maintenance of properties in the city. The International Property Maintenance Code states, in general, that:

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1. All vacant structures and premises thereof or vacant land shall be maintained in a clean, safe, secure and sanitary condition so as not to cause a blighting problem or adversely affect the public health or safety. 

2. With regard to high grass and weeds, all premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 10 inches (254 mm). All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs provided; however, this term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens.

3. Except for a few exceptions as provided for in the ordinances, no inoperative or unlicensed motor vehicle shall be parked, kept or stored on any premises, and no vehicle shall at any time be in a state of major disassembly, disrepair, or in the process of being stripped or dismantled. Painting of vehicles is prohibited unless conducted inside an approved spray booth. Exception: A vehicle of any type is permitted to undergo major overhaul, including body work, provided that such work is performed inside a structure or similarly enclosed area designed and approved for such purposes. 

4. All exterior property and premises, and the interior of every structure, shall be free from any accumulation of rubbish or garbage. 

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Once the city code enforcement officer receives a complaint or observes a violation, the property is inspected. If an alleged violation is found, the code enforcement officer will send a notice of violation to the property owner. In general, the property owner has 7-10 days to correct the violation. If the violation is not corrected, a citation, which includes a fine, is sent to the property owner. The property owner has 5-7 days after the citation is sent to appeal to the code enforcement board. If the property owner does not appeal within 7 days, the city will consider it as a guilty plea by the property owner, who will not be eligible to appeal the board's decision. However, the procedure with regard to high grass and weeds is different. Because of the rate of growth of weeds, a notice is sent to the property owner concerning the violation of weeds and 10 days are given to correct the violation before a citation is issued. If the violation is not corrected, the city will have the weeds mowed or removed. All costs incurred with the removal of the weeds will due from the property owner. If the city is not reimbursed for expenses, a lien will be placed against the property.