Administrative overview · FIPS 21117
Kenton County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
Planning and Development Services of Kenton County, Building Codes Administration / One Stop Shop
For a project in or near Kenton County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
859-957-2408 (Building Permits); 859-331-8980 (PDS main).
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Planning and Development Services of Kenton County, 1840 Simon Kenton Way, Suite 3400, Covington, KY 41011-3693.
Operating hours
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. for permit-office service; online submissions are available 24/7.
Review expectation
Electrical permits: 5 business days; zoning-only permits such as fences, small sheds, and driveways: 1-3 business days; residential permits: 12 business days; commercial permits: 12 business days. Actual approval times vary with workload and application completeness.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →Source trail
Official sources for this profile
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Frequently asked questions for Kenton County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Planning and Development Services of Kenton County, Building Codes Administration / One Stop Shop is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
How should I begin an application?
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 859-957-2408 (Building Permits); 859-331-8980 (PDS main)..
How long might review take?
Electrical permits: 5 business days; zoning-only permits such as fences, small sheds, and driveways: 1-3 business days; residential permits: 12 business days; commercial permits: 12 business days. Actual approval times vary with workload and application completeness.
How are inspections scheduled?
Submit building, zoning, planning, subdivision, HVAC, and electrical applications through the PDS online portal or use the downloadable forms and email them to permits@pdskc.org. PDS reviews plans, issues permits, and conducts field inspections through completion. Permit-process questions go to 859-957-2408; commercial plan review/inspection questions to Tim Tholemeier; residential plan review/inspection questions to Danny Arlinghaus; zoning/code enforcement to Rob Himes at 859-331-8980. Electrical inspections may be performed by Cathryn Robinson/IBI at 513-381-6080 or Steve Helmer/NKYEI at 859-746-9111. Keep work accessible and follow the assigned inspection sequence; a permit expires if work does not begin within six months, stops for more than six months, or has no inspections, although extensions may be requested.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
Kenton County Code §150.01 adopts the Kentucky Building Code and Kentucky Residential Code with future amendments, designates the Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission/PDS as local enforcement agency for unincorporated Kenton County, and establishes a building inspection program for all buildings including single-family dwellings. The current statewide framework is the 2018 KBC and 2018 KRC, based on the 2015 IBC/IRC with Kentucky amendments; building and electrical inspections must be performed by Kentucky-certified inspectors. No newer 2026 KBC or KRC adoption was verified. PDS lists as exempt from a building permit: one-story detached tool/storage sheds, playhouses, or similar accessory structures up to 200 square feet; fences up to 7 feet; sidewalks and driveways no more than 30 inches above grade, not over a basement/story, and not on an accessible route; painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; swings and playground equipment accessories to one- and two-family dwellings; replacement windows and wall-supported window awnings; new siding/residing; ordinary re-roofing without sheathing or structural-member repairs; and ordinary drywall or door repairs. Items identified by PDS as requiring a zoning permit still need that zoning approval, and structural repairs are not ordinary repairs.