Letter from City Manager Sharmili Reddy

As winter weather continues, the City of Covington encourages residents and property owners to clear snow and ice from sidewalks when they are able to do so. Keeping sidewalks passable helps ensure safety for pedestrians, delivery workers, and those with mobility challenges. When clearing sidewalks or driveways, we also kindly ask residents not to push snow back into the street, as this can create hazardous driving conditions and slow the City’s snow removal efforts. 

City ordinance places responsibility for sidewalk snow and ice removal on adjacent property owners. This approach is common in cities of our size and reflects a practical reality: Covington has thousands of linear miles of sidewalks, and it would take an extraordinary amount of time and resources for City crews to clear sidewalks citywide. During winter events, our Public Works staff must prioritize streets, emergency routes, and critical infrastructure. 

At the same time, we recognize how challenging this responsibility can be. Many residents—particularly seniors or individuals with disabilities—may be physically unable to clear sidewalks on their own. In addition, changing conditions such as melting and refreezing can make sidewalks hazardous even after reasonable efforts have been made. 

These challenges have very real community impacts. Covington Independent Public Schools has indicated that one factor in deciding whether students can safely return to in-person learning during winter weather is the condition of sidewalks throughout the city. When sidewalks remain unsafe or impassable, it affects the ability of children, families, and staff to travel safely. This is one of the difficult realities that both the school district and the City must weigh during winter events. 

This places the City in a challenging position: while the ordinance assigns responsibility to property owners, we also understand that not everyone is able to comply, and conditions are not always controllable. For these reasons, the City’s approach emphasizes encouragement, flexibility, and common sense rather than strict enforcement. 

We ask residents who are able to clear their sidewalks to do so when conditions allow, and we encourage neighbors to look out for one another and assist those who may need help. Small efforts at the neighborhood level can have a meaningful impact across the community. 

Thank you for your cooperation, your understanding, and for helping keep Covington safe and accessible during winter weather. 

Sincerely, 

Sharmili Reddy 
City Manager 
City of Covington