Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, KY - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

LFUCG is a merged urban-county government. Building Inspection reviews commercial buildings, additions, and improvements within Fayette County. The LFUCG Zoning Ordinance regulates how land in Fayette County is developed.

Department

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Division of Building Inspection

Address

101 E. Vine St., Lexington, KY 40507

Phone

(859) 258-3770

Email

buildinginspection@lexingtonky.gov

Website

https://www.lexingtonky.gov/government/departments-programs/environmental-quality-public-works/building-inspection

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm zoning and overlay constraints before filing using One Stop Lexington and the zoning ordinance. Check for historic overlay, ND-1, courthouse overlay, floodplain, and easement issues.
2. Create an Accela Citizen Portal account at lexingtonky.gov/permits. Register first before starting a permit application.
3. Start the correct permit type in Accela. Residential permit types include Residential New Construction, Residential Remodel, Residential Addition, and Fences/Walls. Commercial permits are also filed through the same portal.
4. Upload required plans and supporting documents. Residential submittals typically include site plan and structural/framing information. Commercial submittals may also require civil plans, MEP sheets, ADA details, energy calculations, special inspections letters, and state approval letters.
5. Complete owner-builder items if the property owner is doing the work. Submit owner-builder acknowledgement checkbox, contractor registration affidavit, and homeowner responsibility acknowledgement.
6. Pay invoiced review fees before commercial review proceeds. Once agency approvals are complete, the permit fee is invoiced and must be paid before issuance.
7. Obtain any linked approvals routed outside core building review: plumbing, electrical inspections, fire detection/suppression, right-of-way work, land disturbance permits, sewer tap approvals, and historic permits.
8. Receive permit, post it on property, complete required inspections, and obtain final approval or certificate of occupancy/completion before use or occupancy.

Typical processing time: No current citywide turnaround estimate published

Source: Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Division of Building Inspection

General Requirements

Permits are required for new commercial buildings, additions, paving, commercial remodels, commercial fences, retaining walls 2 feet or more in height, towers, tanks, canopies, and changes of use. Residential permits required for new houses, duplexes, townhouses, decks, additions, most remodeling projects, pools, fences and walls 24 inches or higher. Electrical permits required for all electrical work in Fayette County.

Required Documents

• Completed application
• Site plan
• Floor plan
• Framing plan/cross sections
• Elevations
• Foundation details (where applicable)
• PDF uploads through Accela

Permit validity

No general LFUCG building permit expiration rule clearly published. Plumbing permit expiration governed by state plumbing rules.

Building code

2018 Kentucky Building Code (commercial and multifamily), 2018 Kentucky Residential Code (1-2 family), 2015 IEBC, 2015 IMC, Kentucky State Plumbing Law and Code, 2017 NEC, applicable NFPA fuel gas references, and LFUCG Stormwater Manual

Owner-builder

Homeowners doing work on property they own must complete owner-builder acknowledgement in online application, contractor registration affidavit, and homeowner responsibility acknowledgement form. Homeowner electrical permits limited to owner-occupied property only; cannot be issued for vacant, rental, duplex, or mobile home properties.

Contractor requirements

All contractors must register with Building Inspection; unregistered contractors cannot obtain permits. Electrical contractors must hold or employ a Master Electrician and have an LFUCG business license. State licensing controls Kentucky electrical licenses. Plumbing handled by state plumbing inspector/local health plumbing program. LFUCG business licensing may apply for contractors operating in Fayette County.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Residential plan review fee $25; residential permits have minimums of $50 (fences), $100 (pools), $150 (most building permits); commercial plan review minimum $50; many commercial categories have $100-$250 minimums

Plan check fee

Commercial plan review fee 0.06 x sq. ft. (Min. $50); residential plan review fee $25

Permit fee formula

Mostly square-foot based for building permits. Examples: single-family residence 0.10 x sq. ft. + $180 (Min. $150); residential remodel 0.10 x sq. ft. (Min. $150); residential addition 0.10 x sq. ft. (Min. $150); commercial remodel 0.10 x sq. ft. (Min. $250); electrical permits $10 each

Reinspection fee

First reinspection $50; second $100; third $200; HVAC reinspection after 3 inspections $50. Double permit fees imposed for work started without permit.

Payment note

Review fees invoiced before commercial review proceeds. Permit fees invoiced before issuance. Permits and related certificates can be applied for and paid online through lexingtonky.gov/permits. All fees subject to change without notice.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures (tool/storage sheds, playhouses, similar) not greater than 200 sq ft
• Fences not over 7 feet high (LFUCG separately requires local permits for fences/walls 24 inches or higher for zoning review)
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet high when they do not support a surcharge
• Water tanks supported directly on grade within code size limits
• Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over a basement/story below and not part of accessible route
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
• Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
• Playground equipment accessory to detached 1-2 family dwellings
• Minor electrical repair work such as replacing lamps or connecting approved portable equipment to approved receptacles
• Portable heating, ventilation, and cooling equipment and similar minor mechanical items
• Limited plumbing repairs such as clearing stoppages and repairing leaks without replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes, or fixtures

Important: Exemptions apply under Kentucky Building and Residential Codes. Zoning review may still apply even where a building-code exemption exists.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• LFUCG Building Inspection (building/HVAC) (phone)
• Commonwealth Inspection Bureau (electrical) (phone)
• State plumbing inspector/local plumbing program (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Call 1-2 days in advance for inspection timing

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: footing, framing, insulation, rough-in plumbing, rough-in HVAC, rough-in or bonding electrical, final inspection, and certificate of occupancy/completion. Deck projects may require footing first, then framing/final, with optional framing before decking and rails.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2018 Kentucky Building Code (commercial and multifamily), 2018 Kentucky Residential Code (1-2 family), 2015 IEBC, 2015 IMC, Kentucky State Plumbing Law and Code, 2017 NEC, applicable NFPA fuel gas references, and LFUCG Stormwater Manual
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• One Stop Lexington (Zoning Portal)
• Planning Application Instructions and Checklists
• Floodplains and Flood Management
• Local Historic District Permits
• Electrical Permits, Licensing, and Inspections
• Plumbing Permits
• Right-of-Way Management
• New Development, Redevelopment, Construction and Demolition Projects
• License lookup guide: Kentucky Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Kentucky Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Kentucky hub: Kentucky Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, KY?

Permits are required for new commercial buildings, additions, paving, commercial remodels, commercial fences, retaining walls 2 feet or more in height, towers, tanks, canopies, and changes of use. Residential permits required for new houses, duplexes, townhouses, decks, additions, most remodeling projects, pools, fences and walls 24 inches or higher. Electrical permits required for all electrical work in Fayette County.

How much does a building permit cost in Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, KY?

The minimum permit fee is Residential plan review fee $25; residential permits have minimums of $50 (fences), $100 (pools), $150 (most building permits); commercial plan review minimum $50; many commercial categories have $100-$250 minimums. Fees are calculated as: Mostly square-foot based for building permits. Examples: single-family residence 0.10 x sq. ft. + $180 (Min. $150); residential remodel 0.10 x sq. ft. (Min. $150); residential addition 0.10 x sq. ft. (Min. $150); commercial remodel 0.10 x sq. ft. (Min. $250); electrical permits $10 each. Plan check fee: Commercial plan review fee 0.06 x sq. ft. (Min. $50); residential plan review fee $25.

How do I apply for a building permit in Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, KY?

1. Confirm zoning and overlay constraints before filing using One Stop Lexington and the zoning ordinance. Check for historic overlay, ND-1, courthouse overlay, floodplain, and easement issues. 2. Create an Accela Citizen Portal account at lexingtonky.gov/permits. Register first before starting a permit application. 3. Start the correct permit type in Accela. Residential permit types include Residential New Construction, Residential Remodel, Residential Addition, and Fences/Walls. Commercial permits are also filed through the same portal. 4. Upload required plans and supporting documents. Residential submittals typically include site plan and structural/framing information. Commercial submittals may also require civil plans, MEP sheets, ADA details, energy calculations, special inspections letters, and state approval letters. 5. Complete owner-builder items if the property owner is doing the work. Submit owner-builder acknowledgement checkbox, contractor registration affidavit, and homeowner responsibility acknowledgement. 6. Pay invoiced review fees before commercial review proceeds. Once agency approvals are complete, the permit fee is invoiced and must be paid before issuance. 7. Obtain any linked approvals routed outside core building review: plumbing, electrical inspections, fire detection/suppression, right-of-way work, land disturbance permits, sewer tap approvals, and historic permits. 8. Receive permit, post it on property, complete required inspections, and obtain final approval or certificate of occupancy/completion before use or occupancy.

How long does it take to get a building permit in Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, KY?

Typical processing time is No current citywide turnaround estimate published.

What work is exempt from building permits in Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, KY?

The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures (tool/storage sheds, playhouses, similar) not greater than 200 sq ft; Fences not over 7 feet high (LFUCG separately requires local permits for fences/walls 24 inches or higher for zoning review); Retaining walls not over 4 feet high when they do not support a surcharge; Water tanks supported directly on grade within code size limits; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over a basement/story below and not part of accessible route; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery; Playground equipment accessory to detached 1-2 family dwellings; Minor electrical repair work such as replacing lamps or connecting approved portable equipment to approved receptacles; Portable heating, ventilation, and cooling equipment and similar minor mechanical items; Limited plumbing repairs such as clearing stoppages and repairing leaks without replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes, or fixtures. Note: Exemptions apply under Kentucky Building and Residential Codes. Zoning review may still apply even where a building-code exemption exists.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, KY?

Inspections can be scheduled via: LFUCG Building Inspection (building/HVAC), Commonwealth Inspection Bureau (electrical), State plumbing inspector/local plumbing program. Call 1-2 days in advance for inspection timing.

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