--- title: "Covington Street Tree Permit: What It Means for Your Stump" description: "Covington, KY asks for a Street Tree Permit before you remove a tree between sidewalk and street. See what the city says on permits, fees and private trees." url: https://cincystump.multisites.ai/blog/covington-street-tree-permit-and-your-stump publisher: Cincinnati Stump Grinding phone: +1-513-587-6772 quote: https://cincystump.multisites.ai/contact --- # Covington Street Tree Permit: What It Means for Your Stump Covington asks you to fill out a Street Tree Permit before you plant, prune or remove a tree in the strip between the sidewalk and the street. Some permits carry a nominal fee. Trees on private property generally fall outside city regulation, except in a historic overlay zone or on certain hillsides. Local: CovingtonPublished October 26, 20264 min read ## What does Covington ask for before a street tree comes out? Covington asks you to file a Street Tree Permit before work starts. The Urban Forestry page says: “If you would to plant, prune, or remove a tree in the space between the sidewalk and the street in front of your house, fill out this Street Tree Permit before you start work.” The wording of that sentence, including “would to,” is the city’s own. The space the page describes is the [tree lawn](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/tree-lawn). It sits on the right-of-way, which is public land. A tree there is a [street tree](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/street-tree). The facts below follow the city pages as of October 2026. ## Who has authority over trees on the street? The city does. Chapter 51 of the Covington code of ordinances covers urban forestry. Section 51.03 says the city has jurisdiction over trees, shrubs and other plants “in, on or along (except on private property) any public street, sidewalk, right-of-way, easement and in any park or other public place owned by the city.” It also says the city has the power “to cause or prohibit the planting, maintenance, removal and replacement of such trees.” That is why a permit comes first. The city regulates the public strip. See our [Covington stump grinding page](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/stump-grinding/covington-ky) for local information. ## Does the permit cost money? Sometimes, and the amount is not on the page. The city says: “In some cases, there is a nominal fee, which you pay with this Permit Fee Form.” The page does not list prices. Call Public Works at (859) 292-2292 or Urban Forestry at (859) 380-5944 to find out what applies to your tree. The page also says: “The City prunes street trees on a regular schedule.” If weather or disease has damaged a street tree and it needs special attention, you can tell the city. The page lists a work order request form and the two phone numbers above. ## What about a tree on my own lot? Private-property trees are mostly outside city regulation. The city page puts it this way: “Trees on private property generally don’t fall under City regulation unless they’re in a historic overlay zone or on a hillside where their removal could affect slope stability or storm drainage.” Chapter 51 says the same in code form: “This chapter shall not regulate trees, shrubs or other plants located on private property.” The city adds that other ordinances, such as zoning and subdivision rules, may apply separately. Two terms matter. A [historic overlay zone](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/historic-overlay-zone) is a district with its own rules. Hillside tree rules apply where removal could affect slope or drainage. If your lot is in either, call the city before any removal. Neither page says what those rules require, so we do not guess. ## Does the page say anything about the stump? No. The Urban Forestry page covers the permit to plant, prune or remove. It does not address [stump grinding](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/stump-grinding). It does not say who grinds a street tree stump or whether the permit covers it. That gap matters. Other cities in the region answer the question in different ways. Cincinnati takes a 311 request, Wyoming says its city grinds, and Milford and Hamilton name the property owner. Our guide [who owns the stump on the tree lawn](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/who-owns-the-stump-on-the-tree-lawn) lays them side by side. For Covington, ask Urban Forestry whether the stump is yours, and whether the permit covers the grinding. ## Can I look up the city’s trees? Yes. The Urban Forestry page says: “In 2021 the City unveiled a tree inventory map that, among other things, allows forestry fans to search by neighborhood, tree size, and tree type.” The page also warns about the data: “The information is based on a survey conducted by a private contractor a few years ago, so it might not reflect newly planted or removed trees.” Use the map as a hint about whether a tree is public, then confirm with the city. ## What should I do before a stump grinder digs? Follow these steps. 1. Find where the stump sits. Is it in the strip between sidewalk and street, or on your lot? 2. For a strip tree, fill out the Street Tree Permit before any work. Ask about the fee. 3. Ask the city who handles the stump. 4. Place a Kentucky 811 request ahead of any digging. 5. Mark your own private lines, such as sprinkler wire and lamp post wiring. On the 811 step, KRS 367.4911(1)(a) reads: “Each excavator, or person responsible for an excavation, planning excavation, or demolition work shall, not less than two (2) full working days nor more than ten (10) full working days prior to commencing work, unless a future start date is agreed upon as provided in KRS 367.4917(7), notify each affected operator’s designated protection notification center of the excavator’s intended work and work schedule.” The statute does not name stumps. Ask [Kentucky 811](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/kentucky-811) whether your job counts. The pillar [before you grind: 811, tree lawn and permits](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/before-you-grind-811-tree-lawn-permits) has the full text and the other quotes. ## Next step Start with the permit form on the city page, then plan the stump. Read [do you need to call 811 for stump grinding](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/do-you-need-to-call-811-for-stump-grinding) for the timing. Call (513) 587-6772 or [send photos for a free estimate](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/contact). ## Frequently asked questions ### Do I need a permit to remove a street tree in Covington, KY? Yes, per the city. Covington's Urban Forestry page asks you to fill out a Street Tree Permit before you plant, prune or remove a tree in the space between the sidewalk and the street in front of your house. Fill it out before you start work. ### Does the Covington permit cost anything? The city page says that in some cases there is a nominal fee, paid with a Permit Fee Form. The page does not list the amount. Call Public Works at (859) 292-2292 or Urban Forestry at (859) 380-5944 to ask what applies to your tree. ### Are trees on my own lot regulated? Generally not. Covington's page says trees on private property do not fall under city regulation unless they are in a historic overlay zone or on a hillside where removal could affect slope stability or storm drainage. The city code chapter on urban forestry says it does not regulate private trees. ### Does the page say who grinds the stump? No. The Urban Forestry page covers the permit for planting, pruning and removing. It does not address stump grinding. Ask the city whether the permit covers the stump and who does that work before you hire a grinder. ## Terms on this page - [Excavation (Ohio law)](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/excavation-ohio-law) - [Historic overlay zone](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/historic-overlay-zone) - [Hillside tree rules](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/hillside-tree-rules) - [Stump grinding](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/stump-grinding) - [Urban forestry](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/urban-forestry) - [Stump grinder](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/stump-grinder) - [Kentucky 811](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/kentucky-811) - [Right-of-way](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/right-of-way) - [Street tree](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/street-tree) - [Tree lawn](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/glossary/tree-lawn) ## Sources 1. [City of Covington: Urban Forestry](https://www.covingtonky.gov/government/departments/public-works/urban-forestry) 2. [City of Covington: Code of Ordinances Chapter 51 Urban Forestry (American Legal Publishing)](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/covington/latest/covington_ky/0-0-0-18762) 3. [Kentucky Revised Statutes 367.4911 (Kentucky Legislature)](https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=51780) 4. [Cincinnati 311: Tree Stump Removal on Public Property](https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/311/requests/tstumpuf/) 5. [City of Wyoming: Your Trees Our Trees FAQs](https://wyomingohio.gov/218/Your-Trees-Our-Trees-FAQs) 6. [City of Milford: Street Trees](https://www.milfordohio.org/departments/public_works_department/street_trees.php) 7. [City of Hamilton: Urban Forestry, Frequent Q and A](https://www.hamilton-oh.gov/urban-forestry-frequent-questions) Written by Cincinnati Stump Grinding and checked against the sources above on October 26, 2026. City rules and product guidance change, so check the linked page before you act. ## Keep reading - [Before you grind: 811, the tree lawn and street tree permitsThe Ohio and Kentucky statutes tell an excavator to notify 811 before excavation. The Ohio definition of excavation does not name stump grinding, so ask OHIO811 or Kentucky 811 if you are unsure. The call is free. A stump on the tree lawn follows city rules, and those rules differ by town.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/before-you-grind-811-tree-lawn-permits) - [Who owns the stump on the tree lawn, and who grinds it?It depends on the town. Cincinnati takes a 311 request for stumps of city-maintained trees. Wyoming says the city grinds them. Milford and Hamilton name the property owner. Covington and Fort Thomas require city permission to remove a street tree. Read your city page before you hire anyone.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/who-owns-the-stump-on-the-tree-lawn) - [Do you need to call 811 for stump grinding?The Ohio and Kentucky statutes do not name stump grinding. OHIO811 asks you to contact it any time soil is disturbed, and Kentucky 811 says to contact 811 before you dig. The request is free and takes two working days. If you are unsure whether your job counts, ask the 811 center.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/guides/do-you-need-to-call-811-for-stump-grinding) - [Hamilton, Ohio Street Tree Removal: Approval and the StumpHamilton's Tree Ordinance requires written city approval before you prune or remove a tree in the public right-of-way, usually the strip between the curb and sidewalk. The application is free. The city's FAQ names the property owner as responsible for removal and stump grinding of trees in that strip.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/blog/hamilton-ohio-street-tree-removal-approval) - [Who Grinds the Stump in Front of My Cincinnati House?In Cincinnati, a stump on a city-maintained tree lawn or right of way goes through the 311Cincy tree stump request, which routes to Cincinnati Parks Urban Forestry. Staff check whether the stump is already on the grinding list. If it is not, a forester investigates and reports back. A stump on private ground is the owner's to handle.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/blog/who-grinds-the-stump-in-front-of-my-cincinnati-house) - [Cincinnati Street Tree Removal Permit Cost: Who Pays WhatCincinnati Parks Urban Forestry says that if a public tree is removed because a resident asked, the requesting party pays the appraised value of the tree, plus the cost for removal and stump grinding, before permit approval. The page lists no dollar amounts. A forester inspects the tree first.](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/blog/cincinnati-street-tree-removal-permit-cost)