Edmonson County, KY - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

The planning commission's land development regulations cover all of Edmonson County (whose only incorporated municipality is Brownsville) and forbid issuing a building permit for multi-family construction until the subdivision plat is approved and recorded.

Department

Edmonson County Planning Commission

Address

Edmonson County Health Department, 221 Mammoth Cave Road, Brownsville, KY 42210

Phone

270-535-6374

Email

https://www.ecplanningcommission.com/contact.html

Website

https://www.ecplanningcommission.com/

Application Process

1. Obtain the Application for Subdivision Development (Form A) from the County Judge/Executive's office and fill it out with the required plat data.
2. Collect the utility and health certifications (Forms B–E) proving water, sewer, electric, and health approvals before submitting the preliminary plat.
3. Submit the application, three copies of the plat, supplementary material, and the plat review fee (checks payable to the Edmonson County Planning Commission) to the chairperson at least two days before the meeting; incomplete submittals are rejected.
4. The Planning Commission must approve, deny, or approve with modifications within 90 days of the hearing, provide written findings, and annotate two copies of the plat; Preliminary Plat approval expires after one year unless a Final Plat is submitted or an extension granted.
5. No building permit for multi-family construction is issued until the subdivision plat has final approval and is recorded with the County Clerk.
6. After land-development approvals, apply to the administrative officer/local building inspector for the building permit and coordinate inspections with the listed local and state inspectors to secure the certificate of occupancy.

Typical processing time: The Planning Commission must act within 90 days after the hearing; lapsing is deemed approval.

Source: Edmonson County Planning Commission

General Requirements

A building permit is required for any construction, alteration, or removal that changes a lot's character, and no multi-family permit is issued until the subdivision plat is finalized.

Required Documents

• Application (Form A)
• Three plat copies
• Utility and health certifications (Forms B–E)
• Supplementary review materials as described in Article VI of the Land Development Regulations

Permit validity

The published regulations do not specify a fixed expiration for building permits beyond the Preliminary Plat one-year window.

Building code

2015 International Building Code via 815 KAR 7:120 and Kentucky Residential Code via 815 KAR 7:125

Owner-builder

Under KRS 198B.060 every applicant (including owner-builders) consents to inspections and must affirm that all contractors/subcontractors carry workers' compensation and unemployment insurance.

Contractor requirements

Applicants must comply with the Kentucky Building Code (815 KAR 7:120) and its supporting statutes while ensuring hired contractors meet the insurance and licensing mandates of KRS 198B.060.

Fees

Payment note

Plat review fees must be paid to the Edmonson County Planning Commission when filing at the County Judge/Executive's office. Contact the planning commission for current fee amounts.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Edmonson County Planning Commission to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 270-535-6374 (Richard Scott Hunt, local building inspector) (phone)

Inspection hours

Monday, 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM CST at the Edmonson County Health Department

Typical inspection sequence: Inspections are handled by the local building inspector and the state inspectors for each trade.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2015 International Building Code via 815 KAR 7:120 and Kentucky Residential Code via 815 KAR 7:125
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Planning Commission homepage
• License lookup guide: Kentucky Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Kentucky Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Kentucky hub: Kentucky Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Edmonson County Building Permit FAQ

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

A building permit is required for any construction, alteration, or removal that changes a lot's character, and no multi-family permit is issued until the subdivision plat is finalized.

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

1. Obtain the Application for Subdivision Development (Form A) from the County Judge/Executive's office and fill it out with the required plat data. 2. Collect the utility and health certifications (Forms B–E) proving water, sewer, electric, and health approvals before submitting the preliminary plat. 3. Submit the application, three copies of the plat, supplementary material, and the plat review fee (checks payable to the Edmonson County Planning Commission) to the chairperson at least two days before the meeting; incomplete submittals are rejected. 4. The Planning Commission must approve, deny, or approve with modifications within 90 days of the hearing, provide written findings, and annotate two copies of the plat; Preliminary Plat approval expires after one year unless a Final Plat is submitted or an extension granted. 5. No building permit for multi-family construction is issued until the subdivision plat has final approval and is recorded with the County Clerk. 6. After land-development approvals, apply to the administrative officer/local building inspector for the building permit and coordinate inspections with the listed local and state inspectors to secure the certificate of occupancy.

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

Typical processing time is The Planning Commission must act within 90 days after the hearing; lapsing is deemed approval..

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: 270-535-6374 (Richard Scott Hunt, local building inspector).