City Building Permits
Ludlow, KY - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Ludlow, Kentucky. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
PDS' service matrix lists Ludlow in both the building-code and zoning one-stop groups.
- 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 with PDS.
- Submit through GovBuilt or use PDS forms.
- Provide plans, site plan, and permit-specific supporting documents.
- PDS reviews Ludlow zoning and building compliance.
- Pay assessed fees.
- Address comments if revisions are required.
- Receive the permit before starting work.
- 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 PDS permitting.
Required Documents
- Permit validity/expiration: 6 months to start, 6 months of stopped work, or no inspections.
- Permit validity
- 6 months to start, 6 months of stopped work, or no inspections.
- Building code
- Kentucky Building Code and related Kentucky codes through PDS.
- Owner-builder
- Owner or authorized agent may apply under public PDS forms.
- Contractor requirements
- State licensure applies to regulated trades.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Residential small project $117; commercial small project $121.
- Plan check fee
- No separate initial plan-check line item found.
- 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 staged payment timing and list 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 window posted
Typical inspection sequence: PDS staged inspections through completion
Additional Resources
- Building code: Kentucky Building Code and related Kentucky codes through PDS.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- PDS permit forms:
- Floodplain management:
- 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
Ludlow Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Ludlow, KY?
- Covered building, zoning, HVAC, electrical, and related work requires PDS permitting.
- How much does a building permit cost in Ludlow, 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 line item found..
- How do I apply for a building permit in Ludlow, KY?
- 1. Confirm permit type with PDS. 2. Submit through GovBuilt or use PDS forms. 3. Provide plans, site plan, and permit-specific supporting documents. 4. PDS reviews Ludlow zoning and building compliance. 5. Pay assessed fees. 6. Address comments if revisions are required. 7. Receive the permit before starting work. 8. Schedule inspections with PDS through final approval.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Ludlow, 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 Ludlow, 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 Ludlow, KY?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Call 859-957-2408.
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