Lexington’s Party Plan Ordinance
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.
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. Be respectful of you neighbors. 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 police 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.
- Don’t anger your neighbors by leaving beer bottles and other trash in their yards, streets, and driveways after a party. You are responsible for any mess or litter left by your guests.
- 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 police.