Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

• 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.

The 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:

No residential land use will owe more than $70 per unit.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

The individual or business entity must register with the Kenton County Fiscal Court. Registration should take place before any business activity has been conducted within Kenton County & Cities. The registration process consists of filing the Kenton County and Cities Occupational License Application KCForm1. You can apply for a business license online via the Business Services Portal available here.

Please note licensees are required to notify Kenton County of any changes in address, the cessation of business activity or any other change which render inaccurate the information supplied on the application.

Yes.  Pursuant to Kenton County Ordinance 226.07, your employer must withhold payroll taxes from your compensation.  Your employer must file an application for a business license with Kenton County Business Services and submit Employees Quarterly Withholdings Return and annual returns.  

Click here to file for a Business License Application online.

Click here to file your quarterly withholding or annual returns online.

Click here to visit the LINK GIS website to determine the city where an employee is working remote.

Every person or business engaged in franchises, trades, occupations, professions and other businesses within Kenton County and its various cities.

Occupational business licenses are valid for one year. Individuals and business entities that continue to conduct business in Kenton County and its cities must renew their occupational business license each year. 

A countywide business license, priced at $225.00, is available for companies that operate in more than four cities or are uncertain about their locations of operation during the year (e.g., delivery companies and service-oriented companies). This license covers business activities within Kenton County, including Covington. It must be purchased at the time of registration before conducting business in Kenton County and its cities. The countywide business license may be purchased on renewal if the renewal return is filed timely, but it cannot be purchased in arrears.

A fixed fee is imposed for the privilege of engaging in any business, profession, occupation, or trade within Kenton County and cities in Kentucky regardless of the legal residence of the party so engaged. (KRS 160.482 - 160.488).

The business license fee is nonrefundable and nontransferable. Refer to the Rates page for current fees. 

Once your application has been approved and processed, you will receive an email from a member of the Business Services department that includes an occupational license account number.

Your physical license will be mailed to you within 7-10 business days. 

Every person or business engaged in franchises, trades, occupations, professions and other businesses within Kenton County and its various cities must file an annual return and renew their occupational business license. 

The 15th day of the fourth month after the close of the business’s fiscal year. 

• Form ACC1: Annual Occupational Fee and Business License Renewal Return.
• Kenton County and Cities Schedule N & Y: Net Profits Method and Business Allocation. This form must be completed for Kenton County and each city utilizing the net profits method. 
• Kenton County and Cities Schedules G & Y: Gross Receipts Method and Business Allocation. This form must be completed for each city utilizing the gross receipts method.
• Schedule X for Alcoholic Beverage Sales: This form must be completed for any individuals or business entities engaged in alcoholic beverage sales.

Penalty is 5% per month or portion thereof up to 25% of the amount due with a minimum of $25 per county/city assessed. Interest is 1% per month or portion thereof not to exceed 12% per annum.

An employer with employees located within Kenton County and its various cities is responsible for remitting the withheld occupational license taxes from their employees.  The employer must file an application for a business license with Kenton County Business Services and submit quarterly withholding and annual returns.

When an employee is working within Kenton County and its various cities, the employer must file for an occupational license and submit Employees Quarterly Withholdings Return.   This includes employees who are working remote (i.e. from home) within Kenton County.  

Click here to file for a Business License Application online.

Click here to file your quarterly withholding or annual returns online.

Click here to visit the LINK GIS website to determine the city where an employee is working remote.

Employers are only required to withhold if the employee’s physical work location is within Kenton County & Cities. Employees who reside but do not work within Kenton County & Cities are not subject to local withholding.

Need assistance in determining employee residency, please visit the NKY Geographic Information System website.

Include any amounts contributed by an employee to any retirement, profit sharing or deferred compensation plan, which are deferred for federal income tax purposes under a salary reduction agreement or similar arrangement including but not limited to salary reduction arrangements under Section 401(a), 401(k), 402(e), 403(a), 403(b), 408, 414(h), or 457 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Include any amounts contributed by an employee to any welfare benefit, fringe benefit or other benefit plan made by salary reduction or other payment method which permits employees to elect to reduce federal taxable compensation under the Internal Revenue Code, including but not limited to Sections 125 and 132 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Yes.  If business activity occurs within the City of Covington, those activities are also subject to Kenton County Occupational License requirements.

Option 1: You may submit your request to close your Business Services Account via this form or letter.  The letter must include the company name, account number and the date the business activity ceased. If the business was sold, the name and address of the new business owner must be included.  You will need to file the Annual Occupational Fee and Business License Renewal Form ACC1 for the last tax period that business was conducted in Kenton County & Cities.  This return will need to be marked “Final Return” and a date of when the business ceased operations will need to be provided.  A copy of your federal tax return for your final year that business was conducted will need to be included to close your account.

Option 2: You can also close the account by using the Filing Wizard and selecting “No License – Close My Account” after inputting all the data necessary for your final return.  A copy of your federal tax return for your final year that business was conducted will need to be included to close your account.

If any returns or payments are delinquent, the account cannot be closed until these issues are addressed.

For any questions regarding terminating an Occupational License account please contact our office at 859-392-1440 or via email.

If an amended return needs to be submitted, please fill in the corrected amounts on Form ACC1 or Form QCC1 for the corresponding tax year and write “Amended Return” at the top of the form.  Forms are available via Get an Account & Other Forms. Amended returns cannot be submitted via the Filing Wizard or Standard Online Filing.

• A Kenton County Business Services account number must be included on the amended return.
• Submit applicable forms, schedules, and/or employee detail with the amended return.
• Sign and remit any payment due with the return.

Refunds must be requested through the Kenton County and Cities’ Occupational Fee Refund Application Form, available online  or at the Kenton County Fiscal Court Business Services Suite 5100. Refunds cannot be requested via the Filing Wizard or Standard Online Filing.

• Amounts paid for business licenses are nonrefundable. 
• Writing a negative amount on an Annual Occupational Fees and Business License Renewal Return (Form ACC1) or Employees’ Quarterly Payroll Withholding (Form QCC1) does not constitute a request for a refund.
• Refunds have a two year limitation starting with the date the payment is received. 
• Payroll withholding refunds are refundable to the employee only. The employee must request the refund if the fees were withheld from the employee. The employer cannot request the refund on the employee’s behalf.
• Form W-2 is required for any refund requests pertaining to employee payroll withholding.

No, a business license will be sent via postal mail after the return is approved.

The Filing Wizard is a step by step tool to guide businesses to file their Form ACC1 with Kenton County. Businesses can file their Form ACC1 (gross receipts and net profits) for all cities that charge an occupational license fee in Kenton County (except for Covington). Businesses can pay via credit card, EFT or paper check. 

Both the account number and Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or Social Security Number (SSN) will be required to log into the Filing Wizard.

With the Filing Wizard, a taxpayer can file Kenton County Form ACC1 (i.e. gross receipts, net profits) for both the County and the 15 participating cities. Extensions can also be filed via the Filing Wizard however amended returns must be filed via the paper return. Supporting documents (Federal Tax return, 1099s, etc.) can be uploaded via the Filing Wizard.

Filing Wizard uses a secure login method using modern security practices. Once in the application, all data is transmitted securely to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks. Nothing in between the users’ browser and our server can see what data is being transmitted.

Yes, a receipt will be sent form the third party payment processor.

Yes, a voucher can be printed and sent in with a paper check.

All browsers are supported but the preferred browser is Chrome.

Yes, with the Filing Wizard your data will be saved allowing you to come back later and finish filing the return.

Credit card processing fees will vary depending on the card (average is 2.75%). Paying via electronic fund transfer (i.e. electronic check) will cost $1.

The federal extension when submitted without the Annual Occupational Fee and Business License Renewal Form ACC1 is not accepted. Kenton County & Cities Business Services Department requires the Form ACC1 return be submitted with all license renewals and 90% of any estimated fees due. Please see the Overdue license fees, extension requests, amended returns and refunds page.

The online return will be reviewed and posted to the account within five business days.

When logging into the Filing Wizard, a business owner will be able to update basic contact information (name, address, phone number, email). Current extension payments can also be viewed but no other historical data will be available.  

Yes, by choosing the voucher payment process.

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

Currently there is not a paperless option but many services are available online.

Yes. You can pay a notice via the Business Services Online Portal. 

Please contact the Kenton County Occupational License Department at 859-392-1440 or via email. Our hours are Monday through Friday 8 AM - 5 PM.

Yes after you submit your return a summary will be available to print. 

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.

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.

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. 

The Kenton County Sheriff's Office collects property taxes.

Contact Information

View the Covington and Independence office information.

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.

The Kenton County Clerk's Office maintains all official records for deeds, land documents, mortgages, and plats. Click here for the clerk's website.

Kenton County Master Commissioner

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

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.

On Kenton County’s website, you will see the “Volunteer & Foster” page under Departments- Animal Services. Once on that page, you will see a link to complete an application. This will prompt you to sign up for a Better Impact account, which is our new volunteering platform, and complete the application.

Better Impact is our new volunteer management system. It simplifies the way you can apply to volunteer, complete the online training module, sign up for volunteering shifts and log hours all in an app on your phone. Super easy & convenient!

Better Impact allows everything you need for volunteering to be in the same place- an app on your phone! This is where you can see available volunteer shifts, learn about new opportunities and track all volunteer hours.

Once your application is accepted, you will get an email prompting you to log in to Better Impact to complete the quick online training module.

After completing the online training, you will see in your Better Impact account the different orientation times offered and will select the one that works best for your schedule.

You will learn about the shelter’s mission, go over safety procedures and get a tour of the shelter.

Volunteers can see open volunteer opportunities they are qualified to do in their Better Impact app and can sign up for their shifts directly on their phone.

After completing your volunteer shift, you will log your hours directly in the Better Impact app and watch them add up.

Yes. All volunteers must sign up for Better Impact so shift sign ups and hours can be logged in one convenient app.

Our volunteers help with walking dogs, cuddling cats, cleaning, adoptions and so much more. All available opportunities are listed in Better Impact where you can pick the shift that works for you.

Volunteers must be at least 16 years old to volunteer. Volunteers under the age of 18 will be limited to non-dog handling opportunities.