Landscaping Rules in Georgetown, KY (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Georgetown, Kentucky, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Georgetown requires every owner of a tree overhanging a street or right-of-way to prune it so there is a clear space of eight feet above the sidewalk and 14 feet above the street. Owners must also remove dead, diseased or dangerous trees and limbs. The city can prune private trees that block streetlight spread, traffic signs or safe passage, and charge the cost to the owner's property tax notice.
Georgetown KY Tree Trimming and Clearance Rules
Some RestrictionsGeorgetown Code § 42-36
Every owner of any tree overhanging any street or right-of-way within the city shall prune the branches so that such branches shall not obstruct the light from any streetlamp or obstruct the view of any street intersection and so that there shall be a clear space of eight feet above the surface of the sidewalk and 14 feet above the surface of the street. Said owner shall remove all dead, diseas...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Georgetown requires a free city permit before anyone works on a public tree, including removing it. Removing a street or park tree without authority means replacing it with a tree of equivalent value on public property or paying the city the difference in value, as set by the city tree board. Owners of dead or diseased private trees get 30 days after written notice to remove them.
Georgetown KY Tree Removal and Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsGeorgetown Code §§ 42-32, 42-37, 42-42
No person shall commence or proceed with any operation involving a public tree without first obtaining a permit from the city. The permit is free, but appropriate fines, penalties and compensatory payments will be levied if work is performed on public trees without an approved permit. ... The city shall have the right to cause the removal of any dead or diseased trees on private property within...
Weed Ordinances
In Georgetown, untended, rank or unmanaged vegetation that exceeds ten inches in height violates the property maintenance code, and the rule applies to all property inside the city limits. A regularly mowed conventional yard crosses the line only when it grows past ten inches. Managed vegetation, including natural landscaping, is not subject to the ten-inch limit.
Georgetown KY Ten-Inch Weed and Grass Height Limit
Some RestrictionsGeorgetown Code § 8-165 (IPMC § 302.4)
§ 302.4 A. Definitions. ... Definitions applicable to the interpretation and enforcement of section 302.4: Untended, rank or unmanaged vegetation: Overgrown vegetation or vegetation in an unhealthful condition, which provides either a direct health hazard or a demonstrated breeding ground for fauna known to create a safety or health hazard, e.g. rodents, snakes, mosquitoes. Untended, rank or un...
Water Restrictions
Georgetown's water restriction rule is an emergency power in section 40-430. The city water and sewer board of commissioners can declare an emergency by a two-thirds majority and impose mandatory limits, starting with a prohibition of or limitation on sprinkling lawns, shrubs, trees or other ornamental plants. Violations carry a fine not to exceed $250.00 per offense, with each day a separate offense.
Georgetown KY Emergency Water Restrictions
Light RestrictionsGeorgetown Code § 40-430
(b) The city water and sewer board of commissioners is hereby authorized, upon the finding of specific facts supporting the existence of an emergency which threatens the city's water supply, by two-thirds majority, to declare an emergency and impose mandatory restrictions on the use of water which are reasonably calculated to result in the conservation of our water supply. The mandatory restric...
Native Plants
Georgetown protects natural landscaping. Its code says it is lawful to grow native and naturalized plants to any height, including ferns, wildflowers, grasses, forbs, shrubs and trees, in a managed landscape, and managed vegetation is exempt from the ten-inch height limit. City agents cannot order native vegetation in managed yards removed.
Georgetown KY Native Plant and Natural Landscaping Rules
Light RestrictionsGeorgetown Code § 8-165 (IPMC § 302.4 A, C, D)
Managed vegetation: ... Managed vegetation is vegetation utilized in a planned/designed yard or landscape, including natural landscaping, with the intent to control, direct, and maintain the growth of natural vegetation according to its natural characteristics and reduction, if not elimination, of fauna known to create a safety or health hazard. Managed vegetation is not subject to the ten inch...