County Building Permits
Boyd County, KY - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Boyd County, Kentucky. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Code enforcement, floodplain permitting, and FEMA project coordination across Boyd County's unincorporated areas (outside Ashland and Catlettsburg).
- Department
- Boyd County FEMA Projects & Permitting/Code Enforcement
- Address
- 2800 Louisa Street, Catlettsburg, KY 41129 (Mailing: P.O. Box 423, Catlettsburg, KY 41129)
- Phone
- 606-739-4143 ext. 237; Emergency: 606-694-0715
Online Permit Portal
Platform: • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Contact Boyd County FEMA Projects & Permitting (Jason Queen) at 606-739-4143 ext. 237 or visit the office at 2800 Louisa Street for guidance on floodplain, commercial, or other site-development permits.
- Complete the relevant permit packet (e.g., State Floodplain Permit Application) and supply any requested documentation about existing site conditions or proposed work.
- Submit the paperwork to the office for review, along with any required fees.
- Coordinate inspections or approvals through the same office once the application is accepted; staff also confirms FEMA-related actions and floodplain zoning updates.
Typical processing time: Not posted; call the office for current lead times.
Source: Boyd County FEMA Projects & Permitting/Code Enforcement
General Requirements
Residential building permits are not required, but commercial or other site-development work in unincorporated areas still triggers code enforcement; floodplain activities require a permit under Ordinance 400-2013.
Required Documents
- Floodplain permit applications (supplied as PDFs on the code enforcement page)
- Development forms (supplied as PDFs on the code enforcement page)
- Documentation of existing site conditions or proposed work as requested
- Permit validity
- Not published; contact the office for current requirements.
- Building code
- 2018 Kentucky Building Code (2015 IBC) and 2018 Kentucky Residential Code (2015 IRC)
- Owner-builder
- The department enforces the same codes irrespective of who performs the work.
- Contractor requirements
- Work on regulated trades must meet the statewide 2018 Kentucky Building/Residential Codes; refer to the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction for licensing/inspectorial oversight.
Fees
- Payment note
- Payments are made through the FEMA Projects & Permitting office at the county building during posted hours; call 606-739-4143 ext. 237 for the current fee table.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Boyd County FEMA Projects & Permitting/Code Enforcement to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 606-739-4143 ext. 237 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Typical inspection sequence: The department reviews submitted materials, conducts any required floodplain or safety inspections, and issues approvals that may include FEMA oversight.
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2018 Kentucky Building Code (2015 IBC) and 2018 Kentucky Residential Code (2015 IRC)
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Boyd County Code Enforcement & FEMA Projects & Permitting
- Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction
- Construction, Permits & Inspection Contacts
- 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 Boyd County FEMA Projects & Permitting/Code Enforcement before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Boyd County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Boyd County, KY?
- Residential building permits are not required, but commercial or other site-development work in unincorporated areas still triggers code enforcement; floodplain activities require a permit under Ordinance 400-2013.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Boyd County, KY?
- 1. Contact Boyd County FEMA Projects & Permitting (Jason Queen) at 606-739-4143 ext. 237 or visit the office at 2800 Louisa Street for guidance on floodplain, commercial, or other site-development permits. 2. Complete the relevant permit packet (e.g., State Floodplain Permit Application) and supply any requested documentation about existing site conditions or proposed work. 3. Submit the paperwork to the office for review, along with any required fees. 4. Coordinate inspections or approvals through the same office once the application is accepted; staff also confirms FEMA-related actions and floodplain zoning updates.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Boyd County, KY?
- Typical processing time is Not posted; call the office for current lead times..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Boyd County, KY?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: 606-739-4143 ext. 237.
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