KRS 65.8835: Lien -- Recording -- Responsibility for fines, charges, and fees.

(1) The local government shall possess a lien on property owned by the person found

by a nonappealable final order as defined by KRS 65.8805(8), or by a final

judgment of the court, to have committed a violation of a local government

ordinance. The lien shall be for all civil fines assessed for the violation and for all

charges and fees incurred by the local government in connection with the

enforcement of the ordinance, including abatement costs. An affidavit of the code

enforcement officer shall constitute pr ima facie evidence of the amount of the lien

and the regularity of the proceedings pursuant to KRS 65.8801 to 65.8839. The lien:

(a) Shall be recorded in the office of the county clerk;

(b) Shall be notice to all persons from the time of its recording and shall bear

interest until paid;

(c) Subject to KRS 65.8836, shall take precedence over all other liens, except

state, county, school board, and city taxes;

(d) Shall continue for ten (10) years following the date of the nonappealable final

order, or final judgment of the court; and

(e) May be enforced by judicial proceedings, including an action to foreclose.

(2) In addition to the remedy prescribed in subsection (1) of this section, the person

found to have committed the violation shall be personally respo nsible for the

amount of the lien, including all civil fines assessed for the violation and for all

charges, fees, and abatement costs incurred by the local government in connection

with the enforcement of the ordinance. The local government may bring a ci vil

action against the person and shall have the same remedies as provided for the

recovery of a debt.

(3) Nothing in this section shall otherwise affect the rights or obligations between the

owner of the property and those persons who claim a security int erest in the

property.