Property Taxes, Car Registration & Driver’s Licenses in Kenton County
If you own a home on Carpenter's Trace, three separate offices touch your property taxes: the PVA sets the value, the Kenton County Sheriff collects the county and school bill, and the City of Villa Hills bills its own city tax. Your cars are titled and registered through the County Clerk. Driver's licenses come from the state's regional offices.
Checked against official sources October 7, 2026.
Step 1: the PVA assesses your home
The Kenton County Property Valuation Administrator (PVA) sets the fair cash value of every property as of January 1 each year. The PVA does not set tax rates and does not collect taxes. By law, every parcel must be physically inspected at least once every four years, and a quarter of the county is reviewed each year.
If your assessed value goes up, the PVA mails a Notice of Real Estate Assessment, usually in April. You can ask for a review any time after January 1. The formal inspection and appeal period starts the first Monday in May and lasts 13 days.
- Appeals start with a conference with the PVA. Submit a Review Request with your supporting evidence; the burden of proof is on the owner.
- If that doesn't resolve it, you can appeal to the Board of Assessment Appeals, which the County Clerk's office runs. You'll need the conference record (Form 62A307) from the PVA.
- For 2026, the conference period ended May 18 at 4:15 p.m. and appeals to the Clerk were due May 20 by 4:00 p.m. Expect similar timing in 2027.
- Use the PVA property search and sales maps to look up your parcel and compare nearby sales.
Homestead and disability exemptions
If you are 65 or older (or turn 65 during the year), or are totally disabled, and you own and live in your home as of January 1, you may qualify for an exemption. For assessment years 2025 and 2026, it takes $49,100 off the taxable value of your home for both county and city taxes. The Legislature resets the amount every two years.
Apply with the PVA during the year you want the exemption. You don't need to wait for your birthday. For the disability exemption, you must apply before December 31, and you must have been classified as totally disabled and received disability payments for the entire year.
Step 2: the Sheriff collects the county and school bill
The Kenton County Sheriff mails and collects the property tax bill for the county, the school district and other taxing districts. For tax-bill questions, contact the Sheriff, not the PVA. If you or your mortgage company haven't received a bill by October 15, call the Sheriff's Office at 859-392-1800.
Kentucky's standard collection schedule, published by the Department of Revenue: a 2% discount if you pay by November 1, the face amount from November 2 through December 31, a 5% penalty in January, and a 10% penalty plus a 10% sheriff's add-on fee after January 31. Unpaid bills go to the County Clerk after April 15. If bills go out late, an alternative schedule applies, so check the dates printed on your bill.
For 2026, the Fiscal Court lowered the county's own real property rate to 11.3 cents per $100 of assessed value. That covers only the county's share of your bill.
- Pay online by card or e-check (convenience fee applies).
- Pay in person at 1840 Simon Kenton Way, Suite 1200, Covington, or 5272 Madison Pike, Independence (Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.).
- Mail a check payable to Kenton County Sheriff, P.O. Box 188070, Erlanger, KY 41018. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want a receipt.
- Pay at participating Heritage Bank locations. Bring the whole bill.
- Card payments can’t be made over the phone. Returned checks carry a $50 charge.
Step 3: the City of Villa Hills bills separately
Villa Hills sends its own city property tax bill, separate from the Sheriff’s bill. You can look up your city bill by owner name, parcel number or street in the city’s online tax search, which the city website links to as “Pay Taxes.” For due dates and city rates, check with the city.
Car titles, registration and plates (County Clerk)
Titles, registrations and plates go through the Kenton County Clerk. Both offices are open Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.: Covington at 1840 Simon Kenton Way and Independence at 5272 Madison Pike. The motor vehicle line is 859-392-1652.
Tags must be renewed every year, and you can usually renew online at drive.ky.gov. A vehicle you buy must be registered within 15 days. Title transfers must be done in person; they cannot be done by mail.
Vehicles are also taxed. The PVA assesses cars, trucks, boats and RVs as of January 1 using NADA values, and you owe tax on anything registered to you on that date. Registering a vehicle with the Clerk also lists it with the PVA.
- You need proof of current Kentucky liability insurance showing the VIN and the new owner’s name.
- Vehicles coming from out of state, new or used, need a VIN inspection by the Sheriff ($15.00).
- Name change after marriage: bring your title, registration, photo ID and marriage certificate. The fee is $9.00.
- Moved within Kentucky? Bring your registration and photo ID to update the address. You don’t need to change the title.
- Sold or junked a car? Cancel the record (surrender the title and plate for junked vehicles) so you don’t get taxed on it next year.
- Titles arrive by mail in about 4 to 6 weeks.
Driver’s licenses and REAL ID
County clerks no longer issue Kentucky driver's licenses. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet handles them at Driver Licensing Regional Offices. The closest one to Villa Hills is the Covington Regional Office in the Kenton County Government Center. Burlington, Bellevue and Independence also have offices nearby.
Regional offices are open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. All first-time REAL ID requests must be made in person. Many renewals can be done online or by mail.
New to Kentucky? You have 30 days after becoming a resident to get a Kentucky license. You must title and register your vehicles, and get Kentucky insurance, within 10 days.
Burlington Driver Licensing Regional Office
[email protected]6159 1st Financial Dr, Ste 200, Burlington, KY 41005Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM (ET)
Frequently asked questions
›Who sends my property tax bill in Villa Hills?
You get two bills. The Kenton County Sheriff collects the county, school and other district taxes. The City of Villa Hills bills its city property tax separately.
Source ↗›When are Kenton County property taxes due?
Under Kentucky's standard schedule, you get a 2% discount through November 1, the face amount is due by December 31, and penalties start in January. Check the dates printed on your bill, because a different schedule applies if bills are mailed late.
Source ↗›I haven't received my property tax bill. What should I do?
If neither you nor your escrow company has a bill by October 15, call the Sheriff's Office at 859-392-1800. They can also fax or email a duplicate bill.
Source ↗›How can I pay my Kenton County property taxes?
Online by card or e-check (a convenience fee applies), in person at either Sheriff office, by mail to Kenton County Sheriff, P.O. Box 188070, Erlanger, KY 41018, at Heritage Bank locations with your full bill, or through your mortgage escrow.
Source ↗›How much is the homestead exemption in Kenton County?
For assessment years 2025 and 2026, it is $49,100 off your home’s taxable value, for both county and city taxes. You must be 65 or older or totally disabled, and you must own and live in the home as of January 1.
Source ↗›How do I appeal my property assessment?
Start by requesting a conference with the PVA and submitting evidence. You can do this any time after January 1, up to the end of the May inspection period. If you still disagree, appeal to the Board of Assessment Appeals through the County Clerk using the PVA's conference record.
Source ↗›Why did my assessment go up if I made no changes?
Assessments follow the market. Every property is revalued each year to reflect fair cash value, and each parcel is physically inspected at least once every four years, so values can rise even without improvements.
Source ↗›Where do I register my car in Kenton County?
At the Kenton County Clerk, either 1840 Simon Kenton Way in Covington or 5272 Madison Pike in Independence, Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. You can usually renew online at drive.ky.gov.
Source ↗›I just moved here from Ohio. What do I need to register my car?
Out-of-state vehicles need a VIN inspection by the Sheriff ($15.00), proof of Kentucky insurance, and an in-person visit to the County Clerk. New residents have 10 days to title and register vehicles and 30 days to get a Kentucky driver's license.
Source ↗›Why did I get a tax bill for a car I sold?
Vehicle property tax is based on what is registered to you on January 1. To fix a bill for a car you sold, file an Affidavit for Correction/Exoneration and an Affidavit of Incomplete Transfer. For a junked car, surrender the title and plate to the Clerk.
Source ↗›Where is the nearest driver's license office to Villa Hills?
The Covington Driver Licensing Regional Office at 1840 Simon Kenton Way, open Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Burlington, Bellevue and Independence also have regional offices.
Source ↗›Can I renew my license at the County Clerk?
No. Driver licensing is handled by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet at regional offices or online through drive.ky.gov. All first-time REAL ID requests must be made in person.
Source ↗›Where do I look up my Villa Hills city tax bill?
Use the city’s online property tax search, which you can search by owner name, parcel number or street.
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