Bowling Green, KY Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)

Section 27-5.04(a) of the Bowling Green Code of Ordinances makes it unlawful to place, throw, deposit or allow to accumulate on any street, alley, sidewalk, gutter or other public right-of-way any building, brick mailbox, column, rubbish, garbage, construction or demolition debris, landscaping debris, furniture, signs, large rocks or boulders, fences, posts, stakes, weeds, an inoperative or unlicensed motor vehicle, junk, scrap metal, abandoned property or any other obstruction or encroachment that could injure a person, animal or property. Subsection (d) gives the City authority to remove any violating materials from streets, sidewalks, public ways and drainage areas immediately and without notice to the property owner, though public utility infrastructure is exempt.

Subsection (e) lets the City remove or, at its discretion, destroy any unauthorized sign placed on a city right-of-way. Enforcement runs through the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services: a Citation Officer issues a Notice of Violation or citation under Subchapter 2-21, and the Property Code fine schedule at Sec. 27-7.01 lists "Obstructions on City Right-of-Way" with civil fines of $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second and $750 for further offenses within five years if the citation is uncontested, rising to $500, $1,000 and $1,500 if the property owner contests the citation and the Code Enforcement and Nuisance Board holds a hearing.

A third citation on the same case lets the Code Official seek a per-day fine of up to $100, for up to sixty days, from the Board.