Kentucky building permits

Where to get a building permit in Kentucky

Apply to the building department of the city, town or county where the property is (the steps).

Our Kentucky city guides, with each department's contacts, fees, inspections and project rules:

• Louisville

Kentucky state agencies

These offices set statewide codes or license the trades. They do not issue permits for most home projects.

Building code in Kentucky

For homes, the residential code is the 2018 Kentucky Residential Code (Based on the 2015 International Residential Code)⁷, in effect since December 3, 2024⁸ (statewide; local amendments not allowed¹⁰).

Every code family, edition and effective date is on Kentucky building codes.

State rules on which work needs a permit

KRS 198B.010(4), 198B.060(1), (8), (13); 815 KAR 7:125 Section 2(2)(a); KRC R105.2; 815 KAR 20:050 Section 1

• Permits for single-family residences are local option. Each local government shall employ a building official or inspector and other code enforcement personnel as necessary, or shall contract for inspection and code enforcement services in accordance with subsections (8) and (11) of this section to enforce the Uniform State Building Code within the boundaries of its jurisdiction, except that permits, inspections, and certificates of occupancy shall not be mandatory for single-family residences unless a local government passes an ordinance requiring inspections of single-family residences.¹
• Single-family dwelling needs a permit only under a local inspection program. Nothing in this subsection shall require a single-family dwelling to be permitted or inspected unless a local government has established a building inspection program as set out in this section.¹
• Regulation repeats the single-family local option. Permits, inspections, and certificates of occupancy shall not be required for a single-family dwelling unless required by local ordinance.⁸
• KRC still applies where no local program exists. For those counties or cities that do not have a single-family inspection program, the builder is still required to meet the KRC, but there will not be any building inspections except for the mechanical systems, which will be inspected by the Kentucky Division of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and by the local county electrical inspector.⁵
• Farm dwellings and farm buildings outside municipal boundaries, not used for retail trade or as a regular workplace for 10 or more people, are outside the definition of building. "Building" shall not mean a manufactured home governed by the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974, 42 U.S.C. secs. 5401 et seq., or a farm dwelling or other farm buildings and structures incident to the operation and maintenance of the farm if the farm structures are located outside the boundary of a municipality and are not used in the business of retail trade or used as a place of regular employment for ten (10) or more people or structures used in the storage or processing of timber products.¹
• Below-grade pools are buildings; above-grade assembled pools are not. "Building" shall also mean swimming pools constructed below grade on site, but not swimming pools assembled above grade on site.¹
• 200 square feet. One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet (18.58 m2).¹⁰
• 4 feet. Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from grade at the bottom of the wall to the top of the wall.¹⁰
• Sidewalks and driveways exempt. Sidewalks and driveways.¹⁰
• Finish work exempt. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.¹⁰
• 30 inches. Decks not exceeding 200 square feet (18.58 m2) in area, that are not more than 30 inches (762mm) above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling and do not serve the exit door required by Section R311.4.¹⁰
• Water heater install or replacement needs a plumbing permit. A new water heater installation or a water heater that is to be replaced.¹¹
• Cleaning out waste or sewer pipes exempt from plumbing permit. Cleaning out waste or sewer pipes.¹¹
• Plumbing chapter does not apply to farmsteads. This chapter shall not apply to farmsteads.¹
• Electrical permit required before electrical work. …require any person to obtain a permit before commencing construction, alteration, or repairs of any electrical system.¹
• Initial HVAC system needs a permit. …any person who installs an initial heating, ventilation, or air conditioning system shall apply for a permit prior to beginning the installation.¹
• Window units and space heaters exempt. No permit or inspection shall be required for the installation of window unit air conditioners or space heaters.¹
• HVAC replacement permit issued on request. A permit shall be issued and inspections performed upon request for the replacement of: (a)…¹³

Applies to

Single-family dwellings⁸

Can local rules be stricter?

Yes¹

Homeowners doing their own work

KRS 227A.030(3); KRS 227.480(2)(a); KRS 198B.674(3); 815 KAR 20:050 Section 2; 815 KAR 8:070 Section 2

• Plumbing permit available to homeowner. A homeowner who wishes to construct, install, or alter plumbing, sewerage, or drainage in a home occupied by the homeowner or constructed by the homeowner for the homeowner's own personal residential use, if: 1.¹¹
• Homeowner plumbing affidavit required. The homeowner files with the application an affidavit stating that the homeowner shall abide by the terms of this section…¹¹
• Homeowner must do the plumbing work personally. All work shall be personally performed by the homeowner…¹¹
• One homeowner new-home plumbing permit in five years. The homeowner shall not have obtained another homeowner permit for construction of a new home issued within the last five (5) years.¹¹
• Homeowner may do own electrical wiring. Nothing in KRS 227A.010 to 227A.140 shall prohibit or interfere with the ability of a homeowner or farmer to install or repair electrical wiring on his or her real property.¹
• Electrical permit available without contractor license to homeowner. A homeowner or farmer who does construction, alteration, or repairs of any electrical system on his or her own premises or any other person exempt from licensing under KRS 227A.030 or 227A.150…¹
• Owner-occupant exempt from HVAC licensing. An individual owner of real property while practicing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning work on or within property owned and occupied by the individual…¹
• Homeowner HVAC permit: work personally performed. All the work shall be personally performed by the owner.¹³
• One homeowner HVAC permit in five years. Only one (1) homeowner HVAC construction permit shall be issued to an individual within a five (5) year period.¹³
• No state license for general construction. GENERAL ERECTION AND CONSTRUCTION 502-573-0373 NO STATE LICENSE REQUIRED…¹⁴

Contractor licensing

KRS 318.030; KRS 227A.020; KRS 198B.656; DHBC Plan Submission Application Guide

• General construction: no state license. GENERAL ERECTION AND CONSTRUCTION 502-573-0373 NO STATE LICENSE REQUIRED…¹⁴
• Swimming pool contractor: no license. SWIMMING POOL CONTRACTOR 502-573-0373 NO LICENSE REQUIRED…¹⁴
• Plumbing: state license. No person shall engage in plumbing or engage in or work at the trade of plumbing: (a) Unless he or she is the holder of a valid and effective active master plumber's license duly issued by the department in accordance with the provisions of this chapter…¹
• $250,000. No person, firm, or corporation shall engage in plumbing or engage in or work at the trade of plumbing unless the person, firm, or corporation maintains general liability insurance in an amount not less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) and submits proof of compliance with workers' compensation and unemployment insurance laws of the Commonwealth.¹
• Electrical: state license or direct on-site supervision. A person who is not licensed as an electrical contractor, electrician, or master electrician shall not engage in any activities or perform any of the duties usually performed by an electrical contractor, electrician, or master electrician unless the unlicensed person is under the direct supervision of a licensed electrician or master electrician who is present on the site where the work is being performed.¹
• HVAC: state license. A person shall not practice heating, ventilation, and air conditioning contracting, unless that person has met the requirements of KRS 198B.650 to 198B.689.¹
• Permit applicant must attest workers' comp and unemployment coverage. …unless the person shall assure, by affidavit, that all contractors and subcontractors employed, or that will be employed, on activity covered by the permit shall be in compliance with Kentucky requirements for workers' compensation insurance according to KRS Chapter 342 and unemployment insurance according to KRS Chapter 341.¹
• DHBC licensing phone. Licensing phone # - 502-573-2002…⁵

Deadlines for permit decisions and inspections

KRS 198B.6672(3); 815 KAR 35:020 Section 3(4)(b)

• 3 business days. Any inspection required by KRS 198B.6671 shall be scheduled with the property owner or owners or their agent or agents at least one (1) business day in advance and shall be completed within three (3) business days of the scheduled inspection.¹
• 5 business days. Each electrical inspection shall be completed within five (5) working days of the request for inspection, except for an inspection performed pursuant to subsection (3) of this section.¹⁵

Private plan review and inspections

KRS 198B.060(15)

• Local governments may contract out plan review and inspection. Local governments or associations of local governments may contract with a person, firm, or company to perform the plans and specifications inspection or building inspection functions required of the local government by the provisions of this section if…¹
• Contract inspector must be state certified. The person performing the building inspection is certified by the department as having successfully completed the test requirements provided in KRS 198B.090 to practice as a certified building inspector…¹
• No conflict of interest allowed. The person, firm, or company does not have a conflict of interest between its plan review or inspection functions and any other employment or business activities…¹

Limits on permit fees

KRS 198B.060(18)

• Local and state fees capped at the cost of the service. The fees shall be designed to fully cover, but shall not exceed, the cost of the service performed.¹

Selling a home with unpermitted work

KRS 324.360; 201 KAR 11:121; KREC Form 402

• Applies when a licensee is paid on a single-family sale. This section shall apply to sales and purchases involving single-family residential real estate dwellings if any person licensed under this chapter receives compensation.¹
• Seller signs the form when listing. The seller of the property shall complete and sign the form at the time he or she executes any listing agreement or similar agreement by which a licensee intends to market the property.¹
• A copy of the form shall be delivered by the listing agent to any prospective purchaser or his representative within seventy-two (72) hours of the listing agent's receipt of a written and signed offer to purchase.¹
• Exclusions: new homes with warranty, auctions, foreclosures. The form shall not be required for residential purchases of new homes if a warranty is offered, for a sale of real estate at an auction, or for a court supervised foreclosure.¹
• Form asks about alterations. Have there been any additions, structural modifications, or other alterations made?¹⁶
• Form asks whether permits were obtained. If so, were all necessary permits and government approvals obtained?¹⁶
• Form 402 version incorporated by regulation: 12/2022. "Seller's Disclosure of Property Condition", KREC Form 402, 12/2022; (c)…¹⁷
• Licensee must direct seller to complete the form. A licensee shall direct the seller-client of a single family residential real estate dwelling, duplex, triplex, fourplex, condominium, or townhouse to accurately complete and sign the Seller's Disclosure of Property Condition form required by KRS 324.360…¹⁷

What local governments may change

2018 Kentucky Building Code 101.3; KRS 198B.060(1), (4)(b); KRS 227A.020(6)

• Local governments may not adopt or enforce another building code. Local governments shall not adopt or enforce any other building code; except that the Kentucky Residential Code shall govern detached single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings and townhouses.²
• Code sets minimum and maximum requirements. The purpose of this code is to establish the minimum/maximum requirements to provide a reasonable level…²
• Permits for single-family residences are local option. Each local government shall employ a building official or inspector and other code enforcement personnel as necessary, or shall contract for inspection and code enforcement services in accordance with subsections (8) and (11) of this section to enforce the Uniform State Building Code within the boundaries of its jurisdiction, except that permits, inspections, and certificates of occupancy shall not be mandatory for single-family residences unless a local government passes an ordinance requiring inspections of single-family residences.¹
• State cannot preempt local enforcement on single-family dwellings. If the commissioner determines that the local jurisdiction is not adequately performing any portion of its program, the department may preempt that portion of a local program, except that the department shall not preempt or assert jurisdiction for the enforcement of the code on single-family dwellings.¹
• State electrical licensing supersedes local rules. KRS 227A.010 to 227A.140 shall supersede all ordinances or regulations regulating electricians, master electricians, and electrical contractors of any city, county…¹