Kenton County, KY Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Sidewalk Repair (2026)
Key Facts
- County repair power
- Triggered by unsafe finding (§ 95.26)
- Petition threshold
- Officer, authority, or 5+ residents (§ 95.29)
- Hearing window
- 10 to 30 days after complaint
- Non-compliance result
- County repairs, files a lien (§ 95.31)
- Appeal window
- 30 days to seek injunction (§ 95.33)
- Remedy status
- Lien/repair is the exclusive remedy
Summary
When Kenton County finds a sidewalk unsafe under Code § 95.26, a designated county officer can order the owner or parties in interest, under § 95.30, to make specific repairs within a set deadline. If they don't comply, § 95.31 lets the county fix it and place a lien on the property.
If after notice and hearing, the county officer shall determine that the sidewalk in question is unfit or unsafe, the officer shall state in writing his or her findings of fact supporting the determination and shall issue and cause to be served on the owners and/or parties in interest an order specifying the extent of repairs necessary and the time limit within which the repairs must be made.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 95's sidewalk-repair subchapter, adopted by Ord. 28 explains why the owner bears responsibility in the first place: installing a sidewalk on county right-of-way is deemed to grant an easement, and maintaining and repairing that sidewalk is "the necessary consideration for the privilege of installing" it. 29, filed by the county officer, a county authority, or at least five county residents, alleging a specific sidewalk is unfit; the officer then inspects, and if the complaint holds up, serves the owner and parties in interest with a complaint and a hearing notice set 10 to 30 days out.
30 requires an order in writing "specifying the extent of repairs necessary and the time limit within which the repairs must be made," served on the owner. 31 lets the county repair the sidewalk itself and puts the cost as "a lien upon the property over which the sidewalk passes," or on the adjoining property if the sidewalk sits in the county right-of-way. 33, which states that remedy is "the exclusive remedy" and that no one may recover damages for the county's action under this subchapter.
Violations & Fines
This subchapter's remedy for an owner who ignores a repair order is civil, not criminal: the county repairs the sidewalk and files a lien on the property under § 95.31. Section 95.33(B) makes that lien-and-repair process "the exclusive remedy," so no damages can be recovered for the county's action; an owner's only recourse is a Circuit Court injunction petition filed within 30 days of the order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has to fix a broken sidewalk in Kenton County?
What happens if I ignore a Kenton County sidewalk repair order?
Can I challenge a Kenton County sidewalk repair order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kenton County
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