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Default rule and exceptions
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Code § 17-147 makes it the duty of each owner abutting a sidewalk to repair, at his own expense, all holes, uneven surfaces and other defects. However, the county runs a Sidewalk Replacement Financial Assistance program (Article VI) that can cover 100 percent of the cost for qualifying owner-occupied residential properties notified of a defect.
| Party | What they are responsible for |
|---|---|
| Property owner | Repair defects in the abutting sidewalk at the owner’s own expense on notice from the urban county engineer or code enforcement (§§ 17-147, 17-148). |
| City / public agency | The urban county government offers grant assistance covering the cost of qualifying sidewalk replacement (Article VI, §§ 17-162 to 17-165), subject to annual appropriation. |
| Exceptions | None on record |
What the source says
Last verified against the primary source on Oct 3, 2026.
It shall be the duty of each owner of real estate abutting on any sidewalk to repair, at his own expense, all holes, uneven surfaces and other defects in the sidewalk upon which his property abuts
Qualified property owners notified pursuant to section 17-148(a) may receive a grant for one hundred (100) percent of the reasonable cost of sidewalk replacement for their owner-occupied residential property as required by section 17-147.
Other property owners notified pursuant to section 17-148(a) may receive a grant for up to fifty (50) percent of the reasonable cost of sidewalk replacement for their owner-occupied residential property as required by section 17-147.
Property owners are responsible for maintaining their sidewalk and street curb.
Qualified low-income owner-occupied properties may receive a 100% grant for the reasonable sidewalk repair and replacement cost for their residential property.
Code Enforcement issues a repair notice to the property owner.
Potential clients must contact our office to schedule an assessment.
City rules rest on state law. Read Kentucky's sidewalk statute, quoted verbatim, or see all 50 states in one table.
Common questions
Who pays for sidewalk repair in Lexington, KY?
The property owner. Repair defects in the abutting sidewalk at the owner’s own expense on notice from the urban county engineer or code enforcement (§§ 17-147, 17-148).
What does the city cover in Lexington, KY?
The urban county government offers grant assistance covering the cost of qualifying sidewalk replacement (Article VI, §§ 17-162 to 17-165), subject to annual appropriation.
Is there any cost help for sidewalk repair in Lexington, KY?
The City says qualified low-income owner-occupied properties may receive a 100% grant for the reasonable sidewalk repair and replacement cost, after Code Enforcement issues a repair notice; owners contact the office to schedule an assessment. The code (§§ 17-162 to 17-165) also allows up to 50 percent for other notified owner-occupied homes, subject to annual council appropriation.
What is this based on for Lexington, KY?
This verdict is sourced to Sec. 17-147. Required, who is responsible. and 7 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.
Sources
- Sec. 17-147. Required, who is responsible.ordinance · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-27
- Sec. 17-164. Sidewalk replacement grant program.ordinance · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-27
- Sec. 17-164. Sidewalk Replacement Grant Programordinance · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-27
- Construction project informationofficial · verified-official · accessed 2026-10-03
- Utility and repair support programsofficial · verified-official · accessed 2026-10-03
- Utility and repair support programsofficial · verified-official · accessed 2026-10-03
- Utility and repair support programsofficial · verified-official · accessed 2026-10-03
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