Georgetown, KY Property Maintenance: Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (2026)

Section 32-28 puts the duty on the people at the property. All occupants of lots in the city shall remove the snow from the sidewalks in front of their lots within 24 hours after the snowfall. For vacant or unoccupied lots, the duty falls on the owners of the lots or the persons in control of them.

The 24-hour clock is extended in one situation. In case of a declared snow emergency, as defined in the city snow removal management plan, the deadline is extended to 72 hours. The ordinance points to the plan for the definition of a snow emergency and does not define one itself, so the plan is where a property owner finds out whether an emergency is in effect. The extension was added by Ord. No. 15-017 in December 2015.

The section speaks of snow. It does not mention ice or require salting, so the printed duty is removal of the snow from the sidewalk in front of the lot.

Penalties come from the general penalty section. Section 32-28 says a person violating it by refusing to comply is fined as provided in section 1-13, and each day's failure to remove snow as required is a separate offense. Section 1-13(a) sets a fine not exceeding $500.00 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 30 days, or both, where no specific penalty is provided, and says the penalty cannot be less than the one a state statute imposes for the same offense. Section 1-13(b) adds that a condition constituting a nuisance can be abated by the city.

Sidewalk upkeep has other rules in the same chapter. Section 32-27 requires owners and occupants of fronting property to keep sidewalks clean of weeds and grass, and section 32-47 makes each owner responsible for keeping the sidewalk bordering their property in good repair.