City of Frankfort

Any individual or entity performing construction inside the city limits must obtain a building permit. Small projects such as detached buildings 200 sq ft or smaller, fences 7 ft or shorter, retaining walls under 4 ft, detached decks less than 30 inches above grade, play structures, and above-ground pools instead require only a zoning permit.

• Exempt Detached buildings 200 sq ft or smaller
• Exempt Fences 7 ft or less
• Exempt Retaining walls under 4 ft
• Exempt Detached decks less than 30 inches above grade
• Exempt Play structures
• Exempt Above-ground pools

Note: These items do not require a building permit but still need a zoning permit.

Building code

The city references the 2014 Kentucky Building Code and Kentucky Residential Code, the 2013 Kentucky Plumbing Code, the 2011 National Electrical Code, the 2012 International Mechanical Code, the 2009 National Fuel Gas Code, and the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code.

Permit validity

The posted materials do not state an expiration or automatic renewal period; confirm with the department if the permit must be reissued after a certain time.

Owner-builder

The department does not list a separate owner-builder exemption, but builders of detached one- and two-family dwellings may elect either the Kentucky Building Code or the CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code when submitting plans.

Contractor requirements

Electricians signing the application must be licensed. Every new business must obtain a City of Frankfort business license through the Finance Department. Electrical inspections for the city and Franklin County are arranged through the same Planning and Building Codes office, ensuring licensed trade contractors oversee the work.

Source: City of Frankfort Planning & Community Development / Planning and Building Codes Department ↗

1. 01
   Confirm whether the project is subject to the Commonwealth's Department of Housing, Buildings & Construction (state review is triggered for structures 20,000 sq ft or larger, three stories or more, or 100 or higher occupancy). Such projects still need state approval before the city issues a local permit.
2. 02
   Download the building permit application, the BUD "Before You Dig" form, the subcontractor list, and any other applicable forms.
3. 03
   Gather the required plan sets: two sets for single- and two-family dwellings, two sets plus seven site plans for multi-family, and site-specific requirements for other work.
4. 04
   Submit the completed forms, site plans, building plans, contractor signatures, and plan review fee at the Planning & Building Codes Department in City Hall.
5. 05
   Obtain any additional electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or zoning approvals the project requires.
6. 06
   Coordinate inspections (footer, framing, final) with the department; the city inspector confirms all structural, electrical, plumbing, and site improvements are ready before signature and the final Certificate of Occupancy is issued.
7. 07
   After all inspections and approvals (including state-managed plumbing/HVAC and Franklin County electrical inspections) are finished, obtain the Certificate of Occupancy, which also covers required site improvements.

Typical processing time: Not published to the public; call the Planning & Building Codes office for current turnaround expectations.

Source: City of Frankfort Planning & Community Development / Planning and Building Codes Department ↗

Online payments through the department's "pay online" service carry a 2.95% processing fee. Contact the department for alternate payment options.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2025) before budgeting.

• (502) 352-2094 or (502) 875-8567 (phone)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Typical sequence: Fix the footer before pouring concrete, request the framing inspection before drywall, and schedule the final inspection after all work (including utilities and site improvements) is complete. Electrical inspections require separate applications and are handled by Franklin County. Each inspection needs its own application.

Source: City of Frankfort Planning & Community Development / Planning and Building Codes Department ↗