COVINGTON, Ky. – In an effort to simplify the permitting process and eliminate unnecessary steps for both applicants and staff, the City of Covington has updated its requirements for roof replacement projects. 

Effective immediately, a zoning permit is no longer required for the ordinary repair or replacement of existing roof coverings, provided that no structural changes are being made. 

This change stems from discussions between the City’s Regulatory Staff and Legal Department, which concluded that standard roof replacement is considered an exempt activity under Exemption 12 of Section 07.21.09. Because these repairs do not alter the height, size, or lateral bulk of a structure, they no longer trigger the need for zoning review. 

However, some important exceptions still apply: 

• Roof replacement in a Historic Preservation Overlay, including HP (Historic Preservation) and TS (Traditional Streetscape) districts, will continue to require a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA). 

• Projects that include structural changes, such as adding a dormer, altering the roof pitch, extending a roofline, or building a cricket, will still require both building and zoning permits. 

• Solar panel installation requires both a COA (in historic districts) and a building permit regardless of structural changes. 

For questions or help determining whether your project qualifies under the new exemption, please contact Kaitlin Bryan, Regulatory Services Manager & Historic Preservation Specialist, at Kaitlin.Bryan@covingtonky.gov.