Fees, valuation & enforcement
Permit fees are a project input. Enforcement exposure is a project risk. Use the official schedule where available, then confirm valuation, trade permits, plan review, and inspection charges with the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
Official fee pathway
The final charge may depend on declared construction value, occupancy classification, square footage, plan review, state surcharges, trade permits, technology fees, and inspection activity. Do not use a neighboring city’s fee table as a substitute for this jurisdiction.
Fee desk contact
859-957-2408 (Building Permits); 859-331-8980 (PDS main).
Ask the counter to confirm current charges before submitting a project with multiple trades or a change of use.
Financial exposure
Plan for building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire, energy, zoning, septic, right-of-way, or other reviews that the project scope triggers. The lowest initial permit fee is not always the lowest project cost.
Enforcement exposure
When work begins without authorization, the agency may halt the site, require corrective plans, impose additional fees, withhold inspection release, or require concealed work to be exposed for review.
Closeout exposure
A missing final inspection or certificate can complicate occupancy, refinancing, sale, insurance, and utility connection. Preserve the approved plans and signed inspection record through closeout.
Professional field note
Even when a cosmetic or minor project does not require a building permit, zoning, floodplain, shoreline, historic, utility, fire, or right-of-way controls may still apply. Confirm the full jurisdictional picture before work starts.
Source trail
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
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.
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)..
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.
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.
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.
Why permit costs vary
Building departments commonly calculate charges from valuation, occupancy, floor area, project type, plan review effort, trade scope, state surcharges, and inspection activity. A remodel that appears small on paper may still trigger structural, energy, fire, or utility review. Ask the permit counter which disciplines apply before you finalize the construction budget.
The same discipline applies to enforcement. Correcting unpermitted work after finishes are installed can require demolition, revised plans, additional inspections, and schedule disruption. Authorization is usually the less expensive project-management decision.