Mayor Gorton delays enforcement of Lexington sidewalk shoveling ordinance
With more than 5 inches of snow and plenty of ice accumulation in Lexington since Saturday afternoon, many area roads and sidewalk are impassable.
Just like with city roads, Lexington also has a plan for clearing city-owned sidewalks.
Those sidewalks with a lot of foot traffic and proximity to major services, such as Lextran bus stops, hospitals and schools, get priority. Many sidewalks in the downtown core are cleared first, according to the city’s sidewalk snow removal plan.
The city often can’t start clearing sidewalks until after crews have finished plowing roads, as sidewalks can get covered again with snow during street plowing. A variety of different city departments, depending on where the sidewalk is, are responsible for clearing city-controlled sidewalks.
Am I required to shovel the sidewalk in front of my Lexington, KY home?
A city ordinance also says private sidewalks in front of homes and businesses must be cleared within 24 hours after snow stops falling, after the road has been plowed and if more than 4 inches of snow falls.
Mayor Linda Gorton said Tuesday the city will not yet enforce its sidewalk shoveling ordinance because of dangerously cold temperatures.
“In cases of extreme weather or during an emergency, the mayor can postpone the requirement for property owners to clear sidewalks. While clean sidewalks are important, under current conditions, I think clearing them would be dangerous for many people,” Gorton said.
City officials will typically announce when they need private sidewalks to be cleared. The city also encourages neighbors to help clear sidewalks for the elderly or those who may not be physically able to do the work themselves.
The sidewalk ordinance was changed in response to two major snow storms in 2015 that dumped more than 14 inches of snow in Lexington. After those storms, many people walked on busy, downtown streets due to too few sidewalks being cleared.
Lexington officials have repeatedly warned that’s dangerous and creates problems for crews clearing snow.
If you’re out shoveling snow, keep these safety tips from weather.gov in mind:
- Be up-to-date with the latest weather
- Don’t overexert yourself
- Wear sturdy boots and breathable clothing
- Drink plenty of water
This story was originally published January 26, 2026 at 9:17 AM.
