County Building Permits
Cumberland County, KY - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Cumberland County, Kentucky. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated areas of Cumberland County, surrounding Burkesville (the county seat and only incorporated city).
- Department
- Lake Cumberland Housing Agency, Inc. (under contract with Lake Area Inspection Service, Inc.)
- Address
- 69 Herriford Curve Road, Jamestown, KY 42629
- Phone
- 270-343-4740
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Paper applications via mail or in-person • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Call or visit the Lake Cumberland Housing Agency contact page to request guidance for projects outside Burkesville city limits.
- Complete application with lot- and structure-specific data including lot dimensions, builder and trade contractor contacts, and site plan.
- Submit the packet and payment to the housing agency/county office.
- Lake Area Inspection Service handles plan review and inspection scheduling under contract with the county.
- Coordinate inspections with Lake Area Inspection Service through the housing agency.
- Await county sign-off.
Source: Lake Cumberland Housing Agency, Inc. (under contract with Lake Area Inspection Service, Inc.)
General Requirements
All construction, additions, renovations, and accessory structures outside Burkesville city limits require a permit and must comply with county planning and zoning guidance and the Kentucky Building Code.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- Lot dimensions
- Building square footage
- Setback depths
- Site plan/lot plan
- Builder and trade contractor contacts
- Building code
- 2015 International Building Code with Kentucky amendments (815 KAR 7:120) and Kentucky Residential Code (2012 IRC / 2013 Kentucky amendments, 815 KAR 7:125)
- Contractor requirements
- Kentucky plumbing and electrical contractors must hold the state licenses described in 815 KAR 20:030 and 815 KAR 35:060.
Fees
- Payment note
- Paper applications with fees must be submitted via the Lake Cumberland Housing Agency by mail or in person; no digital payment option is available.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Lake Cumberland Housing Agency, Inc. (under contract with Lake Area Inspection Service, Inc.) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Lake Area Inspection Service (via Lake Cumberland Housing Agency): (270) 343-4740 (phone)
Typical inspection sequence: Lake Area Inspection Service performs plan review, issues permits, and conducts phase inspections on behalf of the county.
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2015 International Building Code with Kentucky amendments (815 KAR 7:120) and Kentucky Residential Code (2012 IRC / 2013 Kentucky amendments, 815 KAR 7:125)
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Cumberland County Departments & Agencies
- Lake Cumberland Housing Agency Contact
- 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 Lake Cumberland Housing Agency, Inc. (under contract with Lake Area Inspection Service, Inc.) before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cumberland County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Cumberland County, KY?
- All construction, additions, renovations, and accessory structures outside Burkesville city limits require a permit and must comply with county planning and zoning guidance and the Kentucky Building Code.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Cumberland County, KY?
- 1. Call or visit the Lake Cumberland Housing Agency contact page to request guidance for projects outside Burkesville city limits. 2. Complete application with lot- and structure-specific data including lot dimensions, builder and trade contractor contacts, and site plan. 3. Submit the packet and payment to the housing agency/county office. 4. Lake Area Inspection Service handles plan review and inspection scheduling under contract with the county. 5. Coordinate inspections with Lake Area Inspection Service through the housing agency. 6. Await county sign-off.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Cumberland County, KY?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Lake Area Inspection Service (via Lake Cumberland Housing Agency): (270) 343-4740.
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