Planning and Development Services of Kenton County (PDS) handles zoning for Kenton County’s cities and unincorporated areas. On this page, you’ll find zoning regulations, applications, contact information, and answers to common questions.

Zoning Regulations

Zoning regulations for every Kenton County community are available on the enCode website.

Applications and Forms

Submit any application through our online portal. It’s the fastest way to apply and track your request.

Contact Us

For zoning questions, call 859-331-8980. Our staff can help with questions for any Kenton County community.

To look up the zoning for a specific property, use LINK-GIS.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Zoning is the practice of dividing a city or county into separate districts, each with its own rules for how land can be used. These rules typically cover things like what types of uses and buildings are allowed, how large they can be, where they can sit on a lot, yard setbacks, and parking requirements.

A zoning ordinance usually has two parts: a map showing the boundaries of each district, and written text explaining the specific rules that apply within each one.

The main goals of zoning are to:

  • Protect public health, safety, and general welfare
  • Encourage orderly, well-planned growth
  • Preserve a community’s visual character and historical identity
  • Manage how densely land is developed and how intensively it’s used

Planning and Development Services of Kenton County maintains the zoning ordinances for each jurisdiction in the county. You can find them on the local zoning ordinances page of PDS’s website.

Zoning regulations are ultimately decided by each city’s or county’s legislative body. The Kenton County Planning Commission reviews proposed zoning amendments and issues a recommendation, but adoption is up to the city or county itself.

So if you’d like to propose a zoning regulation change, start that conversation with your city council or commission, or with the Kenton County Fiscal Court if you’re in unincorporated Kenton County.

A reasonable accommodation is an exception to a zoning regulation that gives individuals with disabilities an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a residential property. Under federal and state law, this may include waiving or modifying a regulation that would otherwise limit a person’s ability to live in or access their home.

How to request one:

Requests for reasonable accommodations are reviewed administratively by Planning and Development Services (PDS) of Kenton County, in coordination with the applicable jurisdiction.

The PDS team will work with residents to discuss the request and explore possible solutions. To begin the process, please contact the PDS Zoning & Codes Administration Department.

For additional information, please see Zoning Accommodations Overview (PDF).

Once you receive a citation, you’ll have seven (7) days to respond to PDS. You can either pay the fine listed on the citation, or, if you’d like to contest it, submit a written request for a hearing before the code enforcement board.

Either way, once you’ve fixed the issue, be sure to reach out to the Zoning and Codes Administration Department and ask for a re-inspection. This is what stops fines from continuing to add up. Fines will keep accruing until the violation is fully corrected and that correction has been confirmed by a code enforcement officer.

One important thing to keep in mind: if you don’t pay the fine or request a hearing within those seven (7) days, you’ll lose the chance to contest the citation, and the violation will be considered final. So even if you’re unsure what you want to do, it’s worth reaching out to PDS early to make sure you don’t miss that window.

A comprehensive plan is a long-term vision and guide for development required by state law for any jurisdiction adopting zoning regulations. The plan covers land use, community facilities, mobility, economy, housing, and other essential aspects. Together, these elements create a roadmap outlining current and potential future development. PDS provides professional assistance in developing the Kenton County Comprehensive Plan, and the Kenton County Planning Commission is ultimately responsible for its adoption.