KRS Chapter 100 — Kentucky Planning and Zoning Enabling Act (KY)

Tracked preemption from the Kentucky overlay bundle.

Overview

Effective
1966-01-01
Sunset
Authority
state
Scope
state:KY

Trigger predicate

When this evaluates true for a parcel, the law's preempted fields take precedence over base zoning.

always true

Preempted fields

5 fields on the base district schema are rewritten when the trigger fires.

FieldOpValueNote
zoning_decision_procedure.requires_planning_commissionoverrideTrueKRS 100.137: cities/counties have no inherent zoning authority — power flows exclusively from KRS Chapter 100 via a planning commission
zoning_decision_procedure.comprehensive_plan_required_before_zoningoverrideTrueKRS 100.183–.197: a comprehensive plan must be adopted before zoning regulations are enforceable
map_amendment.findings_of_fact_requiredrequireagreement_with_comp_plan_OR_major_change_OR_original_classification_inappropriateKRS 100.213: written findings required — agreement with the comprehensive plan, OR major change of economic/physical/social nature, OR original classification was inappropriate/improper. Most-litigated KY zoning statute; de facto check on spot zoning
zoning_appeal.circuit_court_window_daysoverride30KRS 100.347: appeals to circuit court must be filed within 30 days of the final action
nonconforming_use.statutory_protectionoverrideTrueKRS 100.324: nonconforming uses lawfully established may continue subject to statutory abandonment / discontinuance rules

Citation

Authority source
Kentucky Revised Statutes Chapter 100 (originally enacted 1966; periodically amended through 2025 HB 160)
§ KRS §§100.111 et seq.; §§100.183–.197; §§100.201–.213; §100.347
https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/chapter.aspx?id=37281

Research notes

Dillon's-Rule enabling act. Kentucky cities and counties have no inherent zoning power. Chapter 100 preempts by occupation of field for procedural mechanics (hearings, notice, findings, appeals). Substantively it is enabling: locals set use lists, bulk standards, district boundaries subject to the procedural floor and the three statutory purposes in KRS 100.201. Cities without a planning commission have no zoning authority at all. Cross-references: City of Louisville v. Fiscal Court of Jefferson County, 623 S.W.2d 219 (Ky. 1981); City of Harlan v. Scott, 290 Ky. 585 (1942).