How much does a building permit cost in Florence, KY?

The minimum permit fee is $50 (residential alteration); $150 (commercial). Fees are calculated as: County valuation-based and flat-fee hybrid schedule, depending on permit type.. Plan check fee: Commercial fees include plan review and inspections; residential page lists $50 plan revision fee..

How do I apply for a building permit in Florence, KY?

1. For business, occupancy, or development-related work in Florence, start with the City's opening-a-business guidance and coordinate with the City of Florence as needed. 2. Obtain planning and zoning approval through Boone County Planning Commission. Florence states BCPC handles planning and zoning matters for Florence and may require tenant finish, home occupation, sign, TAD, site plan, board of adjustment, or design review filings depending on the project. 3. Create an Oracle Public Sector account with Boone County Building Department and submit the permit application with plans and supporting documents. 4. County staff checks intake completeness, routes the file for review, and assesses fees. 5. Pay fees in Oracle and answer any plan review comments or revision requests. 6. Wait for formal issuance before beginning work. Florence's page states permits and inspections are required by state law, and the county notes payment alone does not authorize work. 7. Print the issued permit and keep approved stamped plans on site for inspection.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Florence, KY?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Boone County Building Department. Building inspections are scheduled through Boone County Building Department by phone at least 24 hours in advance; Florence also requires a local fire inspection before business opening in applicable cases..

City Building Permits

Florence, KY - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in Florence, Kentucky. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Kentucky Boone County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Florence's official business-opening guidance directs applicants to Boone County Building Department for building permits and Boone County Planning Commission for planning and zoning review. Florence separately handles local fire, occupational license, and some city service coordination.

Department: Boone County Building Department
Address: 2950 Washington Street, 3rd Floor, Burlington, KY 41005
Phone: 859-334-2218
Email: bcbd@boonecountyky.org
Website: https://www.boonecountyky.org/departments/building_inspection/index.php

Online Permit Portal

Open Oracle Public Sector

Platform: Oracle Public Sector • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

For business, occupancy, or development-related work in Florence, start with the City's opening-a-business guidance and coordinate with the City of Florence as needed.
Obtain planning and zoning approval through Boone County Planning Commission. Florence states BCPC handles planning and zoning matters for Florence and may require tenant finish, home occupation, sign, TAD, site plan, board of adjustment, or design review filings depending on the project.
Create an Oracle Public Sector account with Boone County Building Department and submit the permit application with plans and supporting documents.
County staff checks intake completeness, routes the file for review, and assesses fees.
Pay fees in Oracle and answer any plan review comments or revision requests.
Wait for formal issuance before beginning work. Florence's page states permits and inspections are required by state law, and the county notes payment alone does not authorize work.
Print the issued permit and keep approved stamped plans on site for inspection.

Typical processing time: No public Florence-specific turnaround found. County notes that after approval it may still take 1 to 2 days to issue.

Source: Boone County Building Department

General Requirements

Florence's official guidance says Boone County building permits are required for occupant change, change of use, enlargement or remodeling, regulated electrical, mechanical, gas, or plumbing work, and pallet racking installation, alteration, or relocation.

Required Documents

County permit application and plans through Oracle
BCPC planning or zoning approvals as applicable
Tenant finish, home occupation, sign permit, TAD, and other review applications depending on project scope

Permit validity: County states permit expires if work does not start within 6 months; extensions are available.
Building code: Florence routes building permit enforcement to Boone County Building Department, whose codes page references the 2018 Kentucky Building Code and 2018 Kentucky Residential Code.
Owner-builder: No Florence-specific owner-builder handout found. County permit pages allow application by an owner or authorized agent.
Contractor requirements: Florence's business guidance states the city also requires state licenses and certifications for certain businesses and trades, while county permit pages require project affidavits and trade-specific state credentials where applicable.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $50 (residential alteration); $150 (commercial)
Plan check fee: Commercial fees include plan review and inspections; residential page lists $50 plan revision fee.
Permit fee formula: County valuation-based and flat-fee hybrid schedule, depending on permit type.
Reinspection fee: $50 (residential)
Penalty (no permit): Unpermitted work can trigger doubled fees under county ordinance.
Payment note: County Oracle portal accepts Visa or Mastercard after fees are assessed. Florence may separately require city occupational license and fire inspection fees outside the building permit fee.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Boone County Building Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Boone County Building Department (phone)

Scheduling deadline: Building inspections are scheduled through Boone County Building Department by phone at least 24 hours in advance; Florence also requires a local fire inspection before business opening in applicable cases.
Inspection hours: County office hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM; no Florence-specific inspection windows published.

Typical inspection sequence: Depends on permit type under the county inspection schedules; for example single-family dwellings follow footer, foundation or slab, frame and fire block, insulation, and final-related stages.

Additional Resources

Building code: Florence routes building permit enforcement to Boone County Building Department, whose codes page references the 2018 Kentucky Building Code and 2018 Kentucky Residential Code.
Zoning information: View zoning info
Florence project and business guidance
Florence ordinances
Florence main site
Boone County permit portal instructions
License lookup guide: Kentucky Contractor License Requirements
Contract template: Kentucky Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
Kentucky hub: Kentucky Contractor License & Permit Hub

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Boone County Building Department before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Florence Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Florence, KY?: Florence's official guidance says Boone County building permits are required for occupant change, change of use, enlargement or remodeling, regulated electrical, mechanical, gas, or plumbing work, and pallet racking installation, alteration, or relocation.
How much does a building permit cost in Florence, KY?: The minimum permit fee is $50 (residential alteration); $150 (commercial). Fees are calculated as: County valuation-based and flat-fee hybrid schedule, depending on permit type.. Plan check fee: Commercial fees include plan review and inspections; residential page lists $50 plan revision fee..
How do I apply for a building permit in Florence, KY?: 1. For business, occupancy, or development-related work in Florence, start with the City's opening-a-business guidance and coordinate with the City of Florence as needed. 2. Obtain planning and zoning approval through Boone County Planning Commission. Florence states BCPC handles planning and zoning matters for Florence and may require tenant finish, home occupation, sign, TAD, site plan, board of adjustment, or design review filings depending on the project. 3. Create an Oracle Public Sector account with Boone County Building Department and submit the permit application with plans and supporting documents. 4. County staff checks intake completeness, routes the file for review, and assesses fees. 5. Pay fees in Oracle and answer any plan review comments or revision requests. 6. Wait for formal issuance before beginning work. Florence's page states permits and inspections are required by state law, and the county notes payment alone does not authorize work. 7. Print the issued permit and keep approved stamped plans on site for inspection.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Florence, KY?: Typical processing time is No public Florence-specific turnaround found. County notes that after approval it may still take 1 to 2 days to issue..
How do I schedule a building inspection in Florence, KY?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Boone County Building Department. Building inspections are scheduled through Boone County Building Department by phone at least 24 hours in advance; Florence also requires a local fire inspection before business opening in applicable cases..

Need help with your project?

Navigating permits in Florence can be complicated.

Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.

Learn how Jaspector works

Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

Other cities in Boone County

Unincorporated Area Union Walton

View all Boone County jurisdictions →