Spring Valley was incorporated as a sixth class city on November 22, 1983. Originally composed of the home sites of Spring Valley Estates, a large subdivision that began in 1962, it also included adjacent properties that shared the same sewage treatment plant. The plant was purchased by the City and later sold to the Metropolitan Sewer District. In 1998, Cliffwood, a subdivision on the southwestern edge of Spring Valley, was annexed by the City and added 18 residential sites, growing the city to its current 242 residences. Recently, the city became a Home Rule city, the new classification for KY class 2-6 cities.