County Building Permits
Bourbon County, KY - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Bourbon County, Kentucky. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
The Bourbon County Joint Planning Commission provides building-permit services for all unincorporated territory in Bourbon County, along with the three incorporated cities under the interlocal agreement.
- Department
- Paris-Bourbon County Joint Planning Commission / Joint Planning Office
- Address
- Paris Municipal Center, 525 High Street, Room 112, Paris, KY
- Phone
- 859-987-2150
Online Permit Portal
Platform: iWorQ ePermitting • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only
Application Process
- Provide the same documentation as required for incorporated municipalities (site plan, structural plans, subcontractor list, cost estimate, contractor/business licenses, and insurance).
- Submit via the iWorQ portal or drop off at the Paris Municipal Center, Room 112.
- Allow 7 to 10 business days for review and fee quote from the Joint Planning Office.
- Trade permits follow the same routing: electrical through the joint office, plumbing/health department, HVAC through state inspector.
- After approvals and fee payment (cash, check, or credit card accepted), the permit is issued.
- Post the permit at the site before work begins; owner-builder paperwork must be on file.
Typical processing time: 7 to 10 business days for initial review
Source: Paris-Bourbon County Joint Planning Commission / Joint Planning Office
General Requirements
Any new construction, alteration, repair, movement, demolition, or change of occupancy for a building or structure.
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
- Permit validity
- Not specified in public materials; confirm with Joint Planning Office.
- Building code
- International Residential Code for one- and two-family dwellings
- Owner-builder
- Owner authorization required. All contractors and subcontractors must comply with Kentucky worker's compensation and unemployment insurance requirements.
- Contractor requirements
- Bourbon County business license required. Work inside city limits also requires the respective city's business license. Rural projects use the county occupational license process.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Fees based on total estimated construction cost provided by applicant; calculated by the office during review.
- Penalty (no permit)
- Fines apply for unpermitted work
- Payment note
- Cash, check, or credit card accepted. Fee amount determined after document submission and review.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Paris-Bourbon County Joint Planning Commission / Joint Planning Office to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
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 inspection sequence: Building inspection plus state inspectors for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC.
Additional Resources
- Building code: International Residential Code for one- and two-family dwellings
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Building Permit Forms
- 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 Paris-Bourbon County Joint Planning Commission / Joint Planning Office before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bourbon County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Bourbon County, KY?
- Any new construction, alteration, repair, movement, demolition, or change of occupancy for a building or structure.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Bourbon County, KY?
- Fees are calculated as: Fees based on total estimated construction cost provided by applicant; calculated by the office during review..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Bourbon County, KY?
- 1. Provide the same documentation as required for incorporated municipalities (site plan, structural plans, subcontractor list, cost estimate, contractor/business licenses, and insurance). 2. Submit via the iWorQ portal or drop off at the Paris Municipal Center, Room 112. 3. Allow 7 to 10 business days for review and fee quote from the Joint Planning Office. 4. Trade permits follow the same routing: electrical through the joint office, plumbing/health department, HVAC through state inspector. 5. After approvals and fee payment (cash, check, or credit card accepted), the permit is issued. 6. Post the permit at the site before work begins; owner-builder paperwork must be on file.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Bourbon County, KY?
- Typical processing time is 7 to 10 business days for initial review.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Bourbon County, KY?
- The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural/farmstead exemptions available for new construction on qualifying farms. Note: Contact the Joint Planning Office for specific exemption eligibility.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Bourbon County, KY?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: 859-987-2150.
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