Owensboro, KY - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within the incorporated City of Owensboro. OMPC is the joint local agency serving Owensboro, Whitesville, and Daviess County. For building construction inside Owensboro, OMPC handles building plan review, permits, and inspections. City-side approvals still matter for right-of-way, drainage, and some downtown work. Downtown Owensboro projects may also need Downtown Design Administrator review and a Certificate of Appropriateness.

Department

Owensboro Metropolitan Planning Commission (OMPC), Building and Electrical Division

Address

200 E. 3rd Street, Owensboro, KY 42303

Phone

270-687-8665

Email

permits@owensboro.org

Website

https://iompc.org/permitting/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm zoning, use, and location constraints with OMPC before drafting the permit package. Downtown projects should also be checked with the Downtown Design Administrator. If access, parking, drainage, floodplain, or right-of-way work is involved, coordinate those approvals up front.
2. Determine the right application path. OMPC's portal accepts online construction, electrical, and sign applications. HVAC, homeowner affidavits, floodplain forms, and some supplemental applications are still handled by PDF form plus email or office submittal.
3. Prepare the permit package. For building work this can include OMPC Form 301 construction permit application, site plan or development plan, building plans, energy calculations, and for larger projects the Form 320 packet with Forms 321, 322, and 323. Trade permits are separate for electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and signs.
4. Submit online through the iWorQ portal or file by email/in person with OMPC. For projects affecting city right-of-way, submit the City of Owensboro Engineering permit separately by email with a traffic control plan at least 48 hours before work.
5. OMPC and other agencies review the package. Depending on scope, this can include city engineering drainage review, OMPC zoning/site review, health department or plumbing review, floodplain review, RWRA utility review, and downtown design review.
6. Pay assessed fees and obtain the issued permit before starting work. OMPC warns that starting work before permit issuance triggers the normal fee plus an added minimum penalty of $500 under the Kentucky codes.
7. Schedule inspections as the work progresses. OMPC's published minimum sequence is footer/foundation, framing or rough-in, and final. Electrical and HVAC inspections run in parallel where applicable, and right-of-way work must be inspected by City Engineering before placement.

Typical processing time: No general OMPC turnaround is publicly posted. City right-of-way permits must be submitted at least 48 hours before work starts.

Source: Owensboro Metropolitan Planning Commission (OMPC), Building and Electrical Division

General Requirements

Within Owensboro, new construction, additions, and certain remodeling require construction permits and plan review. Electrical, HVAC, plumbing, signs, pools, floodplain development, and right-of-way work each have separate permit paths as applicable.

Required Documents

• OMPC Form 301 construction permit application
• Site plan or development plan
• Building construction drawings
• Energy calculations
• Drainage information where impervious area changes
• Floodplain information where applicable
• Separate trade permit applications for electrical, HVAC, plumbing, signs, and pools

Permit validity

No current OMPC webpage was found that publishes a general building permit expiration period.

Building code

Kentucky Building Code under 815 KAR 7:120, using the 2018 Kentucky Building Code amendments to the 2015 IBC; one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses are governed by the Kentucky Residential Code under 815 KAR 7:125; the Kentucky Building Code now references the 2023 National Electrical Code for electrical standards.

Owner-builder

OMPC publishes homeowner HVAC permits for one- and two-family dwellings. The owner must provide Manual J sizing, duct layout and sizing, and an affidavit that the owner will occupy the home; only one homeowner HVAC permit for new-home construction may be issued to an individual within five years. OMPC's electrical fee schedule also allows homeowner or farmer electrical permits on the owner's own real property, subject to inspector competency review.

Contractor requirements

Electrical contractors must hold a Kentucky electrician's license. Plumbing work must be done by a Commonwealth-licensed plumber under the Kentucky Plumbing Code. HVAC work follows Kentucky HVAC permitting rules. Owensboro right-of-way work must be performed by a bonded and insured contractor registered with the City for that work.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$20

Plan check fee

15 to 16 cents per square foot by occupancy type, with specialized additional charges for sprinkler and fire detection plans

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based: $20 up to $3,000; $20 plus $3 per $1,000 from $3,000 to $100,000; $311 plus $2 per $1,000 from $100,000 to $500,000; $1,111 plus $1 per $1,000 from $500,000 to $10,000,000; $10,611 plus $0.50 per $1,000 above $10,000,000

Trade permit fee

Electrical: $75 minimum; $0.05 per square foot residential or 1.5% of cost commercial/industrial

Reinspection fee

$15 per additional trip

Penalty (no permit)

$500 minimum added fee for commencing work before permit issuance

Payment note

OMPC's plan review worksheet instructs applicants to submit a check, rounded to the nearest dollar, payable to the Owensboro Metropolitan Planning Commission. OMPC also publishes a credit/debit card authorization form. The online portal is used for application intake and document upload.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Replacing roof covering when no structural work is involved
• Replacing siding when no structural work is involved
• Replacing windows when no structural work is involved
• Fences, although OMPC says to confirm height, setback, easement, and utility issues before installation
• Sidewalks and driveways on private property, although OMPC notes they may still require drainage review and local cut/fill or right-of-way approvals

Important: Confirm that your project qualifies as exempt work before proceeding. Some work may require other approvals even if not requiring a building permit.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 270-687-8665 (phone)
• Through OMPC permit search portal (online)

Time windows

No dedicated inspection window was published

Typical inspection sequence: OMPC's published minimum sequence is footer before concrete, framing or structural/electrical rough-in before covering walls or ceilings, and final inspection before occupancy. OMPC also states electrical work requires at least rough-in and final inspections. Right-of-way work must be inspected by City Engineering before placement.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Kentucky Building Code under 815 KAR 7:120, using the 2018 Kentucky Building Code amendments to the 2015 IBC; one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses are governed by the Kentucky Residential Code under 815 KAR 7:125; the Kentucky Building Code now references the 2023 National Electrical Code for electrical standards.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• OMPC Forms
• OMPC Zoning Maps
• Downtown Owensboro Permit Pamphlet
• City of Owensboro Right-of-Way Permit Form
• OMPC Code Questions & Permit Pamphlets
• License lookup guide: Kentucky Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Kentucky Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Kentucky hub: Kentucky Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Owensboro Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Owensboro, KY?

Within Owensboro, new construction, additions, and certain remodeling require construction permits and plan review. Electrical, HVAC, plumbing, signs, pools, floodplain development, and right-of-way work each have separate permit paths as applicable.

How much does a building permit cost in Owensboro, KY?

The minimum permit fee is $20. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based: $20 up to $3,000; $20 plus $3 per $1,000 from $3,000 to $100,000; $311 plus $2 per $1,000 from $100,000 to $500,000; $1,111 plus $1 per $1,000 from $500,000 to $10,000,000; $10,611 plus $0.50 per $1,000 above $10,000,000. Plan check fee: 15 to 16 cents per square foot by occupancy type, with specialized additional charges for sprinkler and fire detection plans.

How do I apply for a building permit in Owensboro, KY?

1. Confirm zoning, use, and location constraints with OMPC before drafting the permit package. Downtown projects should also be checked with the Downtown Design Administrator. If access, parking, drainage, floodplain, or right-of-way work is involved, coordinate those approvals up front. 2. Determine the right application path. OMPC's portal accepts online construction, electrical, and sign applications. HVAC, homeowner affidavits, floodplain forms, and some supplemental applications are still handled by PDF form plus email or office submittal. 3. Prepare the permit package. For building work this can include OMPC Form 301 construction permit application, site plan or development plan, building plans, energy calculations, and for larger projects the Form 320 packet with Forms 321, 322, and 323. Trade permits are separate for electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and signs. 4. Submit online through the iWorQ portal or file by email/in person with OMPC. For projects affecting city right-of-way, submit the City of Owensboro Engineering permit separately by email with a traffic control plan at least 48 hours before work. 5. OMPC and other agencies review the package. Depending on scope, this can include city engineering drainage review, OMPC zoning/site review, health department or plumbing review, floodplain review, RWRA utility review, and downtown design review. 6. Pay assessed fees and obtain the issued permit before starting work. OMPC warns that starting work before permit issuance triggers the normal fee plus an added minimum penalty of $500 under the Kentucky codes. 7. Schedule inspections as the work progresses. OMPC's published minimum sequence is footer/foundation, framing or rough-in, and final. Electrical and HVAC inspections run in parallel where applicable, and right-of-way work must be inspected by City Engineering before placement.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Owensboro, KY?

Typical processing time is No general OMPC turnaround is publicly posted. City right-of-way permits must be submitted at least 48 hours before work starts..

What work is exempt from building permits in Owensboro, KY?

The following work is generally exempt: Replacing roof covering when no structural work is involved; Replacing siding when no structural work is involved; Replacing windows when no structural work is involved; Fences, although OMPC says to confirm height, setback, easement, and utility issues before installation; Sidewalks and driveways on private property, although OMPC notes they may still require drainage review and local cut/fill or right-of-way approvals. Note: Confirm that your project qualifies as exempt work before proceeding. Some work may require other approvals even if not requiring a building permit.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Owensboro, KY?

Inspections can be scheduled via: 270-687-8665, Through OMPC permit search portal.

Other cities in Daviess County