City Building Permits
Erlanger, KY - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Erlanger, Kentucky. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
PDS' Kenton County service matrix lists Erlanger in both one-stop building-code and one-stop zoning administration.
- Department
- Planning and Development Services of Kenton County (PDS), Building Codes Administration
- Address
- 1840 Simon Kenton Way, Suite 3400, Covington, KY 41011
- Phone
- 859-957-2408
- permits@pdskc.org
Online Permit Portal
Platform: GovBuilt • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Application Process
- Confirm permit type and submittal requirements with PDS.
- File through GovBuilt or use PDS forms.
- Submit the permit package with plans and site information.
- PDS reviews Erlanger zoning and building-code compliance.
- Pay permit fees.
- Address any review comments.
- Wait for issuance before construction.
- Schedule inspections with PDS through final approval.
Typical processing time: Electrical about 5 business days; zoning-only 1 to 3 business days; residential and commercial about 12 business days.
Source: Planning and Development Services of Kenton County (PDS), Building Codes Administration
General Requirements
Covered building, zoning, HVAC, electrical, and related work requires the applicable PDS permit.
Required Documents
- Permit validity/expiration: PDS expiration standard is 6 months to start, 6 months of stopped work, or no inspections.
- Permit validity
- PDS expiration standard is 6 months to start, 6 months of stopped work, or no inspections.
- Building code
- Kentucky Building Code and related Kentucky codes administered through PDS.
- Owner-builder
- Owner or authorized agent may apply under public PDS forms.
- Contractor requirements
- State licensure applies for regulated trades.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Residential small project $117; commercial small project $121.
- Plan check fee
- No separate initial plan-check fee listed.
- Permit fee formula
- Mixed flat-fee and square-foot schedules.
- Reinspection fee
- Residential $166; commercial $204; work without permit 2x fee.
- Payment note
- PDS schedules identify timing by permit type and treat fees as nonrefundable.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- One-story detached accessory structures up to 200 square feet
- Fences not over 7 feet high
- Sidewalks and driveways within exemption dimensions
- Painting and similar finish work
- Swings and playground equipment
- Replacement windows and supported awnings
- New siding or residing
- Ordinary reroofing without structural repair
- Ordinary nonstructural repairs
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Call 859-957-2408 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- No detailed windows posted
Typical inspection sequence: PDS staged inspections through final
Additional Resources
- Building code: Kentucky Building Code and related Kentucky codes administered through PDS.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- PDS online portal:
- LINK-GIS:
- License lookup guide: Kentucky Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Kentucky Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Kentucky hub: Kentucky Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Planning and Development Services of Kenton County (PDS), Building Codes Administration before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Erlanger Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Erlanger, KY?
- Covered building, zoning, HVAC, electrical, and related work requires the applicable PDS permit.
- How much does a building permit cost in Erlanger, KY?
- The minimum permit fee is Residential small project $117; commercial small project $121.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed flat-fee and square-foot schedules.. Plan check fee: No separate initial plan-check fee listed..
- How do I apply for a building permit in Erlanger, KY?
- 1. Confirm permit type and submittal requirements with PDS. 2. File through GovBuilt or use PDS forms. 3. Submit the permit package with plans and site information. 4. PDS reviews Erlanger zoning and building-code compliance. 5. Pay permit fees. 6. Address any review comments. 7. Wait for issuance before construction. 8. Schedule inspections with PDS through final approval.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Erlanger, KY?
- Typical processing time is Electrical about 5 business days; zoning-only 1 to 3 business days; residential and commercial about 12 business days..
- What work is exempt from building permits in Erlanger, KY?
- The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures up to 200 square feet; Fences not over 7 feet high; Sidewalks and driveways within exemption dimensions; Painting and similar finish work; Swings and playground equipment; Replacement windows and supported awnings; New siding or residing; Ordinary reroofing without structural repair; Ordinary nonstructural repairs.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Erlanger, KY?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Call 859-957-2408.
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