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Covington Zoning & Land Use Guide

Last updated: Verified:

Key Zoning Facts

Planning Department
City of Covington Neighborhood Services(859) 292-2151
Building Code Edition
Kentucky Building Code (2018 IBC)
ADUs Allowed
Yes
Primary District
R-1D Single-Family Residential
Max Height
35 ft

Regulatory Layers That Apply in Covington

Your property is subject to ALL of these regulatory layers. Each one can impose additional requirements beyond the others.

Federal

State — Kentucky

  • Building Code: Kentucky Building Code (2018 IBC)
View Kentucky zoning overview

County — Kenton County

  • Role: Property records, tax assessment, unincorporated area planning

City / Municipal

The city's zoning ordinance, building codes, and local permits form the primary layer of land-use regulation for your property.

Overlay Districts

No overlay districts identified.

Private Restrictions

  • HOA / CC&Rs common: Yes
  • Check HOA CC&Rs for additional restrictions.

Primary Zoning Districts

District CodeNameMin LotMax HeightFront SetbackSide SetbackRear SetbackFAR
R-1DSingle-Family Residential5,000 sq ft35 ft20 ft5 ft20 ft
R-2Two-Family/Multi-Family Residential4,000 sq ft40 ft15 ft5 ft20 ft
C-1Neighborhood CommercialNone45 ft0 ft0 ft0 ft

ADU Rules in Covington

ADUs:Allowed
Max Size
750 sq ft
Max Height
25 ft
Rear Setback
3 ft
Side Setback
3 ft
Parking
1 off-street space required
Owner Occupancy
Owner must occupy primary dwelling
Permit Timeline
4-8 weeks
Full ADU rules for Covington

Official Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I build an ADU in Covington?
Covington allows accessory dwelling units in certain residential zones with size, setback, and owner-occupancy requirements. Contact Neighborhood Services for details.
How do I find the zoning for my property in Covington?
Contact Neighborhood Services at (859) 292-2151 or use the city's online zoning map.
What zones allow multi-family housing in Covington?
Multi-family housing is permitted in R-2 and higher-density districts, as well as in some commercial zones in the urban core.