Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government

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.

• Exempt One-story detached accessory structures (tool/storage sheds, playhouses, similar) not greater than 200 sq ft
• Exempt Fences not over 7 feet high (LFUCG separately requires local permits for fences/walls 24 inches or higher for zoning review)
• Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet high when they do not support a surcharge
• Exempt Water tanks supported directly on grade within code size limits
• Exempt Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and not over a basement/story below and not part of accessible route
• Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
• Exempt Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
• Exempt Playground equipment accessory to detached 1-2 family dwellings
• Exempt Minor electrical repair work such as replacing lamps or connecting approved portable equipment to approved receptacles
• Exempt Portable heating, ventilation, and cooling equipment and similar minor mechanical items
• Exempt 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.

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

Permit validity

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

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.

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

1. 01
   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. 02
   Create an Accela Citizen Portal account at lexingtonky.gov/permits. Register first before starting a permit application.
3. 03
   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. 04
   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. 05
   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. 06
   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. 07
   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. 08
   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 ↗

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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

• 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 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.

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