Paris, KY — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Paris-Bourbon County Joint Planning Commission (Joint Planning Office)

Street address

Paris Municipal Center, 525 High Street, Room 112, Paris, KY

Phone

859-987-2150

contact via planning office form on website

Coverage

City of Paris and surrounding areas under the Joint Planning Commission interlocal agreement. Historic district projects require approval from Paris Board of Architectural Review before permit issuance.

Online portal

iWorQ ePermitting Portal

iWorQ ePermitting

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Paris

Any construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, movement, demolition, or change of occupancy for a building or structure, including decks, garages, sheds over 200 square feet, carports, and wall moves.

Scope of work

Permit?

Agricultural/farmstead exemption available for new construction on qualifying farms (per agricultural exemption and farmstead application forms)

Exempt

Exempt Agricultural/farmstead exemption available for new construction on qualifying farms (per agricultural exemption and farmstead application forms)

Note: Contact the Joint Planning Office for confirmation about specialty structures and specific exemption eligibility.

Required documents

Completed permit application
Site plan (showing setbacks, easements, utilities, driveway)
Floor plans with room uses and mechanical locations
Footer plans and bearing-wall cross sections
Roof and floor framing plans
Subcontractor roster with contact information
Total construction cost estimate
Contractor contact information and business licenses
Insurance certificates

Building code: International Residential Code for one- and two-family dwellings
Permit validity: Not specified in public materials; confirm with the Joint Planning Office.
Owner-builder: If applicant is not the owner, the owner must sign authorization. All contractors and subcontractors must comply with Kentucky worker's compensation and unemployment insurance statutes.
Contractor requirements: Bourbon County business license required. Work inside Paris city limits requires the city's annual business license. Projects outside city limits require occupational license (contact Cindy Sommer, 859-987-2135 x238).

Source: Paris-Bourbon County Joint Planning Commission (Joint Planning Office) ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: 7 to 10 business days for initial review

01

Select the appropriate building permit packet (residential or commercial).
02

Prepare complete site plan, floor plans, structural sections, roof/floor framing plans, subcontractor list with contact information, total estimated construction cost, contractor/business license numbers, and proof of insurance.
03

Submit all materials via the iWorQ portal or drop off at the Paris Municipal Center, Room 112.
04

The Joint Planning Office reviews the package for completeness and contacts applicant with the calculated fee.
05

For trade work: electrical permits pulled through the joint office, plumbing through Bourbon County Health Department (farm exemption available for large tracts), HVAC through state inspector.
06

Pay the calculated fee (cash, check, or credit card accepted). Trade permits must be on file.
07

Upon approval and fee payment, building permit is issued; post permit at site before work begins.
08

Owner authorization paperwork must be on file if applicant is not the owner.

Typical processing time: 7 to 10 business days for initial review

Source: Paris-Bourbon County Joint Planning Commission (Joint Planning Office) ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Paris building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Permit fee formula

Fees based on total estimated construction cost provided by applicant; calculated by the office during review.

Penalty (no permit)

Fines apply if work begins without required permits or inspections

Cash, check, or credit card accepted. Fee amount determined after document submission and review.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

859-987-2150 (phone)

Inspection hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (closed noon to 1:00 PM)
Time windows: Inspections offered Tuesdays and Thursdays

Typical sequence: The Joint Planning Office coordinates building inspection with state inspectors for electrical (Larry Rice, state electrical inspector), plumbing (state health/plumbing inspector), and HVAC (state HVAC inspector), covering each trade in turn.

Source: Paris-Bourbon County Joint Planning Commission (Joint Planning Office) ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Paris permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Paris, KY? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in Paris, KY? ▸

Building permit fees in Paris, KY are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Fees based on total estimated construction cost provided by applicant; calculated by the office during review..

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Paris, KY? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Paris, KY, follow these steps: 1. Select the appropriate building permit packet (residential or commercial). 2. Prepare complete site plan, floor plans, structural sections, roof/floor framing plans, subcontractor list with contact information, total estimated construction cost, contractor/business license numbers, and proof of insurance. 3. Submit all materials via the iWorQ portal or drop off at the Paris Municipal Center, Room 112. 4. The Joint Planning Office reviews the package for completeness and contacts applicant with the calculated fee. 5. For trade work: electrical permits pulled through the joint office, plumbing through Bourbon County Health Department (farm exemption available for large tracts), HVAC through state inspector. 6. Pay the calculated fee (cash, check, or credit card accepted). Trade permits must be on file. 7. Upon approval and fee payment, building permit is issued; post permit at site before work begins. 8. Owner authorization paperwork must be on file if applicant is not the owner.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Paris, KY? ▸

Building permit processing times in Paris, KY typically run 7 to 10 business days for initial review. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in Paris, KY? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in Paris, KY. The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural/farmstead exemption available for new construction on qualifying farms (per agricultural exemption and farmstead application forms). Note: Contact the Joint Planning Office for confirmation about specialty structures and specific exemption eligibility. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Paris, KY? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Paris, KY via: 859-987-2150.

last verified April 2026 source Paris-Bourbon County Joint Planning Commission (Joint Planning Office) ↗ entry id permits/kentucky/bourbon/paris

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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Paris-Bourbon County Joint Planning Commission (Joint Planning Office) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Paris

Other jurisdictions in Bourbon County.