Georgetown, KY Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

Section 32-76 of the Georgetown Code requires a permit before any person, firm, corporation or association excavates, tears up, repairs, obstructs or lays materials on a street, sidewalk, public easement or other public right-of-way, for any purpose. Laying water, gas or sewer lines is named as an example, not a limit. The applicant states the nature, extent and time period for completion of the work. The city engineer creates the application form and can require additional documentation.

There are two base fee categories. The basic encroachment fee is $25.00 for encroachments that do not extend into the street, and the code lists sidewalk repairs, fence construction and construction in an easement. The street encroachment fee is $100.00 for permits obtained by public utility companies, subcontractors working at a utility's direction, or home and property owners repairing utilities that extend into the city's street. The base fee rises by $0.50 per linear foot for each linear foot of disturbance beyond 25 linear feet.

Timing rules are specific. A basic permit expires 30 days after issuance and a street encroachment permit expires 60 days after issuance. The city engineer can extend either one by 30 days for good cause, and after the extension the permittee applies for a new permit. Applications are due at least three business days before the target start date, or ten business days for street cut work, subject to the emergency repair exceptions in section 32-81. If someone other than the owner does the work, the contractor submits the application. City, county, state and federal agencies get a fee waiver but remain bound by every other requirement, including the bond.

Section 32-78 adds a surety bond for cuts or excavations other than a sidewalk in a residential area. The minimum is $500.00 for a single permit, set by the city engineer from the estimated restoration cost. The bond is returned one year after final inspection and approval. Regular excavators can instead deposit a running bond set at a minimum of $50,000.00 covering one year. No bond is required for repairing or replacing a sidewalk on residentially zoned property.