--- title: "Stump Grinding in Covington, KY | Cincinnati Stump Grinding" description: "Stump grinding in Covington, KY: free quotes, chips hauled away and fresh topsoil, plus Covington street tree and yard waste rules with sources." url: https://cincystump.multisites.ai/stump-grinding/covington-ky publisher: Cincinnati Stump Grinding phone: +1-513-587-6772 quote: https://cincystump.multisites.ai/contact --- # Stump grinding in Covington, KY Cincinnati Stump Grinding grinds tree stumps in Covington, KY, in Kenton County. Quotes are free, usually quick and without an in-person visit, and the chips can be hauled away and replaced with fresh topsoil. Before you grind, check the Covington street tree rules below and mark your private lines. [Call (513) 587-6772](tel:+1-513-587-6772)Get a free estimate ZIP codes in Covington - [41015](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/contact?zip=41015#estimate) - [41017](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/contact?zip=41017#estimate) - [41011](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/contact?zip=41011#estimate) - [41014](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/contact?zip=41014#estimate) - [41016](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/contact?zip=41016#estimate) Served counties in green, Covington in lime. Map data: US Census Bureau. ## What to know before you grind in Covington Rules from the city and county. Each one links to the page it comes from. - Street trees ### Street Tree Permit Covington asks owners to file a Street Tree Permit before planting, pruning or removing a tree between the sidewalk and street. Source: [City of Covington: Urban Forestry](https://www.covingtonky.gov/government/departments/public-works/urban-forestry), checked October 2026 - Street trees ### Ordinance covers public trees only Chapter 51 of the city code gives the city control of trees on streets, sidewalks and right-of-way, and says it does not regulate trees on private property. Source: [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), checked October 2026 - Permits ### Private trees and hillsides Private-property trees are mostly not regulated, except in a historic overlay zone or on a hillside where removal could affect slope stability or storm drainage. Source: [City of Covington: Urban Forestry](https://www.covingtonky.gov/government/departments/public-works/urban-forestry), checked October 2026 - Tree programs ### Tree City USA 22 years Covington was named a 2025 Tree City USA, its 22nd year in a row, and won the Growth Award for the tenth year in a row. Source: [City of Covington: City of Covington Earns 2025 Tree City USA Recognition](https://www.covingtonky.gov/news/2026/04/23/city-of-covington-earns-2025-tree-city-usa-recognition-and-growth-award-marking-continued-leadership-in-urban-forestry), checked October 2026 - Tree programs ### Tree inventory map Since 2021 Covington has an online tree inventory map searchable by neighborhood, tree size and tree type. Source: [City of Covington: Urban Forestry](https://www.covingtonky.gov/government/departments/public-works/urban-forestry), checked October 2026 - Yard waste and wood ### Yard waste bundles Yard waste goes in the Rumpke trash cart, or up to 3 bags or bundles a week as bulk items. Sticks and shrubs must be tied in bundles no longer than 4 feet and 50 pounds. Source: [City of Covington: Trash Guidelines](https://www.covingtonky.gov/government/departments/public-works/solid-waste-recycling/trash-guidelines), checked October 2026 - Yard waste and wood ### Free monthly drop-off voucher Residents get one free voucher a month to take yard waste and other loads to the Rumpke Covington transfer station at 4399 Boron Drive, in a car, SUV, van or small trailer up to 8 feet. Source: [City of Covington: Trash Guidelines](https://www.covingtonky.gov/government/departments/public-works/solid-waste-recycling/trash-guidelines), checked October 2026 - Tree canopy ### Canopy study A 2014 study by the Northern Kentucky Urban & Community Forestry Council counted 4,161 canopy acres in Covington, which is 49% of the city's land. Source: [Northern Kentucky Urban & Community Forestry Council: Urban Tree Canopy](https://nkyurbanforestry.wildapricot.org/utc), checked October 2026 ## Before you dig in Covington - Kenton County ### EAB in Kentucky EAB was first confirmed in Kentucky in 2009. A first quarantine covered 20 counties between Louisville, Lexington and northern Kentucky. In 2014 the county quarantines ended and the whole state was regulated. Source: [USDA Forest Service: Kentucky Forest Health Highlights 2015](https://www.fs.usda.gov/foresthealth/docs/fhh/KY_FHH_2015.pdf) - Kenton County ### Landslide-prone terrain The Kentucky Geological Survey says the geology and slopes of northern Kentucky make it prone to landslides. Slow movement often goes unnoticed for decades. Source: [Kentucky Geological Survey: Using LiDAR to Map Landslides in Kenton and Campbell Counties](https://uknowledge.uky.edu/kgs_ri/26/) - Kenton County ### Landslide damage cost The same report says decades of building and slope changes left the area with one of the highest per-person landslide damage costs in the United States. Source: [Kentucky Geological Survey: Using LiDAR to Map Landslides in Kenton and Campbell Counties](https://uknowledge.uky.edu/kgs_ri/26/) - Kenton County ### Slow slide movement A Kentucky Geological Survey source quoted by LINK nky says slides can move a few inches a year without being seen. Source: [LINK nky: Land slippages in Northern Kentucky highlight unique geological challenges](https://linknky.com/news/2024/04/30/northern-kentucky-landslides-slippages/) - Kenton County ### Kenton County open burn season Kentucky rule 401 KAR 51:010 lets Kenton County residents burn only from October 1 to April 30, and Erlanger Fire/EMS requires a permit 24 hours ahead. Source: [City of Erlanger: Open Burn Regulations](https://erlangerky.gov/city-operations/fire-ems/open-burn-regulations/) - Kenton County ### Regional yard waste guide The regional solid waste guide defines yard waste as dirt, branches and tree debris. It lists drop-off sites that take yard waste. Source: [Northern Kentucky Solid Waste Management Area: Solid Waste Resource Guide](https://florence-ky.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/NKSWMA-Resource-Guide_11.23.pdf) - Kenton County ### County clean-up day takes yard debris The Kenton County Spring Clean Up on April 24-25, 2026 took yard debris from county residents at Kenton County Public Works, 420 Independence Station Road, Independence. Proof of residency was required. Source: [City of Covington: Kenton County Spring Clean Up Returns April 24-25](https://www.covingtonky.gov/news/2026/04/06/kenton-county-spring-clean-up-returns-april-2425-offering-free-disposal-for-residents) - Kenton County ### Canopy by city The 2014 canopy study covers 18 Kenton County cities and finds 51% canopy countywide (51,715 of 102,163 acres). Source: [Northern Kentucky Urban & Community Forestry Council: Urban Tree Canopy](https://nkyurbanforestry.wildapricot.org/utc) ## Free estimate in Covington Pick the closest answers, add your ZIP and send it. Photos help most. 1. Measure across the cut, at ground level, at the widest point. 2. Snap a photo of each stump and the path to it. 3. We reply with your free estimate. Rather talk? [Call (513) 587-6772](tel:+1-513-587-6772) ![Close view of the growth rings across the top of a cut pine stump](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/_astro/pine-stump-growth-rings.Pg0LkLSG_ZnC6hL.avif) ## Questions about Covington, KY ### Do you grind stumps in Covington, KY? Yes. Cincinnati Stump Grinding works across Kenton County, including Covington. ZIP codes here include 41015, 41017, 41011, 41014, 41016. Call (513) 587-6772 or send photos for a free estimate. ### What are the street tree rules in Covington? Covington asks owners to file a Street Tree Permit before planting, pruning or removing a tree between the sidewalk and street. Source: City of Covington: Urban Forestry. ### Do I need a permit in Covington? Private-property trees are mostly not regulated, except in a historic overlay zone or on a hillside where removal could affect slope stability or storm drainage. Source: City of Covington: Urban Forestry. ### What does Covington do with yard waste and wood? Yard waste goes in the Rumpke trash cart, or up to 3 bags or bundles a week as bulk items. Sticks and shrubs must be tied in bundles no longer than 4 feet and 50 pounds. Source: City of Covington: Trash Guidelines. ### Do I need to call 811 first? Call 811 before digging, and mark private lines such as sprinklers and lighting yourself. ### What happens to the wood chips? Grinding turns the stump into wood chips. You can keep them as mulch, or ask for them to be hauled away and replaced with fresh topsoil. Ask when you request your free estimate. ## Nearby town pages - [Fort Wright](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/stump-grinding/fort-wright-ky) - [Fort Mitchell](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/stump-grinding/fort-mitchell-ky) - [Wilder](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/stump-grinding/wilder-ky) - [Taylor Mill](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/stump-grinding/taylor-mill-ky) - [Park Hills](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/stump-grinding/park-hills-ky) [All of Northern Kentucky](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/stump-grinding/northern-kentucky) ## Local reading - [Covington Street Tree Permit: What It Means for Your Stump](https://cincystump.multisites.ai/blog/covington-street-tree-permit-and-your-stump)