Business Licensing & Operations in Kenton County, KY (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Kenton County, Kentucky.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Kenton County requires a business privilege license before anyone may operate a sexually oriented business or service oriented escort bureau in the county. The License Inspector issues the license under Chapter 113, and operating one without a current, unsuspended license is unlawful under County Code § 113.15.
Kenton County Sexually Oriented Business License
Significant RestrictionsKenton County Code of Ordinances § 113.15(A)(1)
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or maintain any sexually oriented business or a service oriented escort bureau in the county unless the owner(s) thereof has obtained from the License Inspector the appropriate license to operate such business and the license is current and not under suspension.
Massage Establishments
Kenton County does not license massage parlors: § 113.15(E)(4) of the county code flatly prohibits any massage parlor, or any massage business run by someone who is not a state-licensed massage therapist under KRS 309.350, from operating anywhere in the county.
Kenton County Bans Unlicensed Massage Parlors
Heavy RestrictionsKenton County Code of Ordinances § 113.15(E)(4)
Sexually oriented massage parlor or any business offering massages that is operated by a person who is not licensed as a massage therapist in accordance with the provisions of KRS 309.350 et seq.
Secondhand Dealers
Kenton County requires anyone buying used or pawned goods to hold a business regulatory license under the county's occupational license ordinance. Dealers must record every seller's ID and photograph each item, report acquisitions to the Kenton County Police Department by 11:00 a.m. the next day, and hold merchandise before resale. Buying from a minor, or from an adult overnight, is barred outright.
Kenton County Secondhand Dealer Licensing Rules
Some RestrictionsKenton County Code of Ordinances § 115.02
(A) Nobody shall conspire, cause, permit, promote, allow, aid, assist, encourage or engage in any ownership or operation of any used property business in Kenton County for which there is no valid business regulatory license that has been issued by or on behalf of Kenton County pursuant to Kenton County occupational license ordinances. (B) Nobody who is engaged in any ownership or operation ...
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