Clinton County, KY - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All unincorporated land in Clinton County; the fiscal court ordinance extends the state building/residential codes countywide, with plan-review and permitting handled through the Judge/Executive's office.

Department

Clinton County Fiscal Court / Judge/Executive Office

Address

100 South Cross Street, Albany, KY 42602 (Clinton County Courthouse, Judge/Executive suite)

Phone

(606) 387-5234

Email

rickycraig@clintonky.org

Website

https://clintoncounty.ky.gov

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Obtain the county's building code ordinance/materials from the Judge/Executive's office (courthouse, 2nd floor) to understand the 815 KAR 7:120/7:125 requirements and obtain any required forms.
2. Prepare plans and documentation that align with the Kentucky Building Code/Kentucky Residential Code and coordinate with the local building inspector (City of Albany inspector Wes Finley) plus any state inspectors for plumbing/electrical/HVAC as listed by DHBC.
3. Submit the application package to the Judge/Executive's office; once the county and contracted inspectors sign off, the permit is issued and inspections are scheduled via the inspector contacts.

Typical processing time: Not stated in the public notice or ordinance; contact the Judge/Executive's office for current review timing.

Source: Clinton County Fiscal Court / Judge/Executive Office

General Requirements

All construction, alterations, additions, and change-of-use projects that must comply with 815 KAR 7:120 (Kentucky Building Code) or 815 KAR 7:125 (Kentucky Residential Code) as adopted by the county ordinance (2024-04-11-I effective May 9, 2024).

Required Documents

• Plans that demonstrate compliance with the Kentucky codes
• Approvals from the local building inspector and state trade inspectors
• Any additional forms required by the Judge/Executive's office (must request specific forms)

Permit validity

Not publicly documented; contact the issuing office for the standard term when a permit is issued.

Building code

Ordinance 2024-04-11-I adopts the Kentucky Building Code (815 KAR 7:120) and Kentucky Residential Code (815 KAR 7:125) effective May 9, 2024.

Owner-builder

Owner-builders should verify any special requirements directly with the Judge/Executive's office or the building inspector.

Contractor requirements

Trades follow Kentucky DHBC licensing (plumbers, electricians, HVAC, etc.); the state's Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction administers those credentials even as the local permit team enforces them.

Fees

Payment note

Not posted online; applicants must request the current fee schedule from the Judge/Executive's office or the building inspector. Payments appear to be handled at the courthouse office (no online merchant portal disclosed).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Clinton County Fiscal Court / Judge/Executive Office to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Local Building Inspector - Wes Finley (phone)
• Clinton County Health Department (plumbing/health inspections) (phone)

Inspection hours

County offices (including the Judge/Executive's office) are open 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. CT; the state plumbing inspector has Friday office hours (8:00 - 9:30 a.m. CST) and the health department can be reached during normal courthouse hours.

Typical inspection sequence: The local building inspector coordinates with the state trade inspectors once plans are approved; the exact inspection sequence is handled case-by-case through those contacts.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Ordinance 2024-04-11-I adopts the Kentucky Building Code (815 KAR 7:120) and Kentucky Residential Code (815 KAR 7:125) effective May 9, 2024.
• Verify contractor license: Kentucky DHBC License Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• City of Albany Official Site
• License lookup guide: Kentucky Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Kentucky Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Kentucky hub: Kentucky Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Clinton County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Clinton County, KY?

All construction, alterations, additions, and change-of-use projects that must comply with 815 KAR 7:120 (Kentucky Building Code) or 815 KAR 7:125 (Kentucky Residential Code) as adopted by the county ordinance (2024-04-11-I effective May 9, 2024).

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Clinton County, KY?

1. Obtain the county's building code ordinance/materials from the Judge/Executive's office (courthouse, 2nd floor) to understand the 815 KAR 7:120/7:125 requirements and obtain any required forms. 2. Prepare plans and documentation that align with the Kentucky Building Code/Kentucky Residential Code and coordinate with the local building inspector (City of Albany inspector Wes Finley) plus any state inspectors for plumbing/electrical/HVAC as listed by DHBC. 3. Submit the application package to the Judge/Executive's office; once the county and contracted inspectors sign off, the permit is issued and inspections are scheduled via the inspector contacts.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Clinton County, KY?

Typical processing time is Not stated in the public notice or ordinance; contact the Judge/Executive's office for current review timing..

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Clinton County, KY?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Local Building Inspector - Wes Finley, Clinton County Health Department (plumbing/health inspections).