Georgetown, KY Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Section 42-36 puts the clearance duty on the tree owner. Every owner of a tree overhanging any street or right-of-way within the city must prune the branches so they do not obstruct the light from any streetlamp or the view of any street intersection, and so that there is a clear space of eight feet above the surface of the sidewalk and 14 feet above the surface of the street. The same owner must remove all dead, diseased or dangerous trees or broken or decayed limbs that constitute a menace to the safety of the public.

The city can act on private property. It has the right to prune any tree or shrub on private property when it interferes with the proper spread of light along the street from a streetlight, interferes with visibility of any traffic control device or sign, or prohibits safe passage for pedestrians and vehicles along the right-of-way. The city can charge the cost of the required pruning to the property owner by any reasonable means, including placement of the charge on the owner's property tax notice. Section 42-37 adds a separate track for dead or diseased trees on private property that are a hazard to life and property: the mayor or a designee gives written notice, and the owner has 30 days after service to remove the tree before the city does it and bills the cost.

Trimming on public ground is controlled differently. Under section 42-30(1), except as authorized by permit issued by the city, no person can damage, cut, carve, prune or remove any public tree, and section 42-32 makes that permit free. Section 42-35 makes it unlawful as a normal practice to top any street tree, park tree or other tree on public property. It defines topping as the severe cutting back of limbs to stubs larger than three inches in diameter within the tree's crown to such a degree as to remove the normal canopy and disfigure the tree. Trees severely damaged by storms or other causes, and certain trees under utility wires or other obstructions where other pruning practices are impractical, can be exempted at the determination of the city tree board.

Hiring out the work has its own rule. Section 42-39 makes it unlawful to engage in the business or occupation of pruning, treating or removing street or park trees within the city without a license. The fee is $25.00 annually in advance, the applicant must show liability insurance in the minimum amount of $300,000.00 and proof of current workman's compensation insurance, and no license is required of a public service company or city employee doing such work in the pursuit of their public service endeavors.