The Fayette Board of Aldermen passed a new ordinance Tuesday giving the city power to regulate and prohibit disorderly houses and other nuisances by issuing steep fines.

Only four of the six council members were present during the board’s regular meeting on Tuesday, June 13. All four voted in favor of the ordinance, with no discussion taking place.

Such disorderly properties “impose an unfair burden on the other property owners with the city, waste scarce police resources, and reduce the property values of surrounding properties,” according to the ordinance.

The word “disorderly” was not defined by the ordinance, but appears to be determined at the discretion of the Fayette City Marshal, commonly referred to as the Chief of Police. The city has for several years dealt with complaints about filthy properties around town. Such properties include abandoned houses, unkempt yards, and areas filled with junk. This ordinance gives the city more power to deal with the problems.

The designation of a “disorderly” properties may be suspended if the owner has entered in a written agreement with the Chief of Police to take corrective action, which can be terminated if the requirements are not met. 

The city will bill the owners of such properties $500 for each time police are called to the property. The ordinance states that a late fee of $25 per month will be assessed for fines not paid within 30 days. The city will not allow any property with a fee in arrears of 60 days to be rented or leased. Those more than 90 days late will have business licenses terminated.

All owners will be jointly liable, with the tenant, for any fee imposed, the ordinance states.

The ordinance also includes an appeals process for owners of property designated as disorderly. A hearing will take place with the mayor and two aldermen selected by the mayor within two weeks of the request.

The city council meets regularly at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month in City Hall. Meetings are open and the public is invited.