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1. How do I obtain an occupational (business) license?

An occupational license can be obtained through the Kenton County Occupational and License Taxes division, they are located at:

• 303 Court Street
  Room 311
  Covington, KY 41011
• Phone: 859-392-1440

2. How do I obtain an alcoholic beverage control license?

The Public Protection Cabinet Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control handles the licensing of alcoholic beverages. Visit their website for applications and forms.

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1. What is CodeRED and why is it important to me?

CodeRED is an emergency notification service that allows emergency officials to notify residents and businesses by telephone, cell phone, text message, email and social media regarding time-sensitive general and emergency notifications. Only authorized officials have access to the CodeRED system.

2. When will CodeRED be used?

Any message regarding the safety, property or welfare of the community will be disseminated using the CodeRED system. These may include AMBER alerts, notifications of hazardous traffic or road conditions, boil water advisories or evacuation notices.

3. Does the CodeRED system replace other systems that have been used to provide time-sensitive information to residents?

This system is an enhancement to existing means of communication and is meant to supplement current or past systems used for mass notification.

4. Does the CodeRED system already have my telephone number, or do I need to sign up to receive CodeRED notifications?

The CodeRED database contains information received from public databases, including regional phone books. However, no resident should assume that their information is in the system. Visit the CodeRED Community Notification Enrollment page to register online. If you can not register online, you can call 859-392-1400 and speak with one of our staff members to complete your registration over the telephone.

5. I have a business located in Kenton County. Can I arrange to have CodeRED contact my business?

Yes. Fill out the CodeRED registration form but be sure to select the "This address is a business" option. Please note that emergency calls can only be delivered to a direct dial number. Automated attendants will disrupt the process and the calls will not be delivered. Businesses should register their main number and establish a procedure for distributing the CodeRED message to their workforce.

6. What if I want to register additional numbers for my address?

After you submit the initial registration form, you may start the registration process again and submit more numbers for the same address.

7. Is my personal information protected?

CodeRED is a service of Emergency Communications Network which takes security and privacy concerns very seriously. They will not sell, trade, lease or loan any data citizen supplied data to third parties.

8. How will I recognize a CodeRED message?

A CodeRED Emergency message will have a caller ID of 866-419-5000. A CodeRED General message will have a caller ID 855-969-4636. We suggest you program both numbers in your cell phone as a "new contact" and use "CodeRED Emergency" and "CodeRED General" as the contact name. If you need to replay the emergency notification message again, simply dial the number and you will be able to hear the message again.

9. What should I do if I receive a CodeRED message?

Listen carefully to the entire message. You will have the option to repeat the message by pressing any key. Do not call 911 for further information unless directed to do so or if you need immediate aid from the Police or Fire department.

10. I have a landline, and it does not work when the power goes out. How will the system be able to contact me?

Make sure you have at least one working corded telephone and be sure to turn the ringer on. The CodeRED sign-up form allows you to indicate both a primary and alternate phone number. Cell phone and/or work phone numbers can be entered as alternate phone numbers. Both primary and alternate phone numbers will be contacted when a notification is sent.

11. Will the CodeRED system leave a message on an answering machine?

Yes, the CodeRED system will leave a message on a machine or on voicemail. The CodeRED system will leave the entire message in one pass.

12. What happens if the line is busy?

If the line is busy, CodeRED will try two more times to connect.

13. What circumstances might prevent a message from being delivered to me?

• If your contact information has changed and you have not registered your new information.
• If you only a landline at your residence, the power is out and you did not register an alternate phone number.
• If your line is busy for an extended time and your calls do not forward to voicemail or an answering machine.
• If you have a privacy manager on your main phone and you did not register an alternate phone number.

Kenton County will receive a report of undelivered calls and can instruct the CodeRED system to begin another round of calls to busy numbers. It is best to have an alternate phone number in the calling database for these situations.

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1. Why is my fee (x) amount of dollars?

The new fee structure is based on the land use code the Property Valuation Administrator’s office (PVA) has on record for your property. The PVA has over 150 different Land Use codes that were grouped together into seven different land use density categories. Each category pays a different fee:

Fee Grouping	Description	911 Standardized Fee 2020
Commercial Super Retail	Retail over 25,000 square feet	$2,630
Commercial Large Retail	Retail between 7,500 & 25,000 square feet	$435
Commercial Medium Retail	Retail between 2,500 & 7,500 square feet	$435
Commercial Small Retail	Retail between 1,000 & 2,500 square feet	$300
Commercial Tiny Retail	Retail under 1,000 square feet	$265
Commercial Non-Retail	All other Non-Exempt	$245
Public Use	Emergency Service Government Offices and Churches	$75
Low Density Residential and Agricultural	1 to 3 Units	$75
Medium Density Residential	4 to 39 Units	$75 per unit (max $340)
High Density Residential	40 or More Units	$75 per unit (max $4,595)

No residential land use will owe more than $75 per unit.

2. Why has my fee changed from last year?

Your property may have been reassessed and its land use updated, resulting in a different land use fee for the year.

3. Other nearby counties are charging a per unit 911 fee. How is the Kenton County fee different?

Kenton County’s 911 fee is based on the land use of each property instead of a direct unit count. Property types that were exempt from the fee previously will remain exempt. For residential land uses, this fee is capped at $75 per unit. Retail properties are charged a different fee depending on the building size and other non-retail properties have a separate fee.

4. How did the county determine the fee amount?

The fees for each land use density grouping were determined by analyzing all 911 calls from previous years across different land uses in the county. The total % of calls that went to each land use grouping was used to determine what percentage of revenue each land use grouping was responsible for.

5. When do I have to pay this fee?

County Property Taxes are discounted if paid by the end of October/November but must be paid by December 31 in order to avoid penalty. Appeal process for 911 Fee will begin the month of October.

6. How do I appeal my 911 fee?

If you believe you have been charged a 911 fee by mistake, or that the information used to determine your property’s fee amount is incorrect, you can file a Kenton County 911 Fee Appeal Form. Your appeal will be reviewed by the 911 Fee Appeals board, and a determination letter will be mailed to you following the board’s judgment.

7. What if I win my appeal?

If you win your appeal, you will be refunded the appropriate amount.

8. When will I get my refund?

After the appeal has been upheld by the appeals board, the refund will be processed and mailed as soon as possible.

9. Why did my parcel not get charged a fee?

Certain types of land uses are considered exempt from the 911 fee, including abandoned or vacant land.

10. I believe the Kenton County Property Valuation Administrator’s office (PVA) has the wrong Land Use code or unit count on file for my property. How do I request this be changed and my 911 fee adjusted?

Please complete a 911 Appeal Form. After the 911 Appeals board reviews your form, appeals related to land use or unit count will be forwarded to the Kenton County PVA on the applicant’s behalf for their review prior to the next billing year.

11. I have a question that is not listed on this FAQ, or I would like to give feedback on the 911 fee.

Please contact the Kenton County Office of the Treasurer at (859) 392-1420 or in person at:

1840 Simon Kenton Way
Suite 5100
Covington, KY 41011

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1. Where can I find property assessments?

Visit the Property Valuation Administrator’s office learn about types of properties they are responsible for as they are responsible for most property assessments.

Contact Information

View the Covington and Independence office information. 

2. Where do I pay my property taxes?

The Kenton County Sheriff's Office collects property taxes.

Contact Information

View the Covington and Independence office information.

3. Where can I find building / electric / plumbings codes?

Planning and Development Services of Kenton County is responsible for the Building Codes Administration Department. View the Planning and Development Services website to see codes and find forms and applications.

4. Where can I find information about deeds, land documents, mortgages and plats?

If you visit the Kenton County Public Inquiry website, you can search Kenton County Official Records for deeds, land documents, mortgages, and plats.

5. Where can I find foreclosures (the Master Commissioner Sale of Properties)?

Kenton County Master Commissioner

• Kenton County Justice Center
  230 Madison Avenue
  8th Floor
  Covington, KY 41011
• Phone: 850-431-1027
• Fax: 859-431-2254

6. How do I apply for Homestead Exemption?

The Property Valuation Administrator's office handles the Homestead Exemption.

Under the provisions of the Homestead Amendment, a person or persons must be 65 years of age or older or totally disabled during the year for which application is made, and must own, occupy and maintain a residential unit for such exemption.

Contact Information

View the Covington and Independence office information.

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1. How do I register to vote?

The Kenton County Clerk's office is responsible for voter registration. 

Eligibility

You are eligible to vote if:

• You are a Citizen of the United States.
• You are 18 years of age (minors who become 18 on or before the day of the general election shall be entitled to vote in the primary if otherwise qualified).
• You are a Resident of the Country for at least 28 days prior to the Election Day and have properly registered.

2. Where can I find voting information?

Registered voters in Kentucky can obtain information about their precinct location and legislative districts by using the online Voter Information Center provided by the Kentucky State Board of Elections.