jaspector
County building permits

Unincorporated Garrard County

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Garrard County, Kentucky. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Garrard County Code Enforcement - Building Code Enforcement Division

Street address
15 Public Square, Lancaster, KY 40444
Coverage
All residential and business structures on parcels under 10 acres across unincorporated Garrard County, administered through the Judge/Executive's office.
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Garrard County

A building permit is required for all residential and business structures on parcels smaller than 10 acres in unincorporated Garrard County. Manufactured and mobile homes must also comply with the Kentucky Residential Code and floodplain requirements.

Note: No public exempt-work list is published. Contact Building Inspector Tim Scott (859-339-0739) to confirm whether maintenance-only activities qualify for exemption.

Required documents
  • Completed Building Permit Application
  • Septic soil evaluation report
  • Floor plans
  • Typical wall section
  • Lot diagram
  • Deed or covenant copies
  • Truss diagrams
  • Worker Affidavit of Assurances
  • Engineered details as needed
Building code
Kentucky Residential Code, statewide plumbing code, and National Electrical Code as administered through a Level 1 inspection program.
Permit validity
Not defined in publicly published materials; confirm permit expiration term with the Judge/Executive's office.
Owner-builder
Applicants must attest that the listed builder/owner is registered with the County Tax Administrator and carries workers' compensation and liability coverage.
Contractor requirements
All builders and contractors must register with the county administrator, maintain insurance coverage, and provide installer/license numbers for manufactured and mobile homes.
§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Processing time varies; contact the Judge/Executive's office at (859) 792-3531 to confirm.

  1. 01
    Download or pick up the Garrard County Building Permit Application from the county website or Judge/Executive's office.
  2. 02
    Complete applicant and property details, noting required trade contacts.
  3. 03
    Assemble supporting documentation: septic soil evaluation, floor plans, wall section, lot diagram, deed/restriction copies, truss diagrams, and Worker Affidavit of Assurances.
  4. 04
    Submit the completed packet with fee payment to the Judge/Executive's office at 15 Public Square, Lancaster, KY 40444.
  5. 05
    After permit issuance, contact Building Inspector Tim Scott (859-339-0739) and trade inspectors to schedule the four standard inspections.
  6. 06
    Pass all required inspections: Footer/Foundation, Framing, Insulation, and Final.

Typical processing time: Processing time varies; contact the Judge/Executive's office at (859) 792-3531 to confirm.

Source: Garrard County Code Enforcement - Building Code Enforcement Division ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Garrard County building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$25 (accessory buildings under 144 sq ft); $200 (residential new construction up to 1,999 sq ft)
02
Permit fee formula
Residential: tiered by square footage ($200-$350); Commercial: per square foot (10-16 cents); Flat fees for decks, carports, pools, mobile homes, signs, and zone hearings.
03
Penalty (no permit)
Civil sanctions or Class A misdemeanor penalties (fines, jail, daily violations) for unpermitted construction

Payment collected at the Judge/Executive's office when the application is submitted. Call (859) 792-3531 for acceptable payment methods.

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • Building Inspector Tim Scott (phone)
  • (859) 339-0739 (phone)
Inspection hours
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Typical sequence: Standard sequence: Footer/Foundation, Framing, Insulation, Final inspections.

Source: Garrard County Code Enforcement - Building Code Enforcement Division ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Garrard County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Garrard County, KY?
A building permit is required for all residential and business structures on parcels smaller than 10 acres in unincorporated Garrard County. Manufactured and mobile homes must also comply with the Kentucky Residential Code and floodplain requirements.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Garrard County, KY?
Building permit fees in unincorporated Garrard County, KY are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $25 (accessory buildings under 144 sq ft); $200 (residential new construction up to 1,999 sq ft). Fees are calculated as: Residential: tiered by square footage ($200-$350); Commercial: per square foot (10-16 cents); Flat fees for decks, carports, pools, mobile homes, signs, and zone hearings..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Garrard County, KY?
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Garrard County, KY, follow these steps: 1. Download or pick up the Garrard County Building Permit Application from the county website or Judge/Executive's office. 2. Complete applicant and property details, noting required trade contacts. 3. Assemble supporting documentation: septic soil evaluation, floor plans, wall section, lot diagram, deed/restriction copies, truss diagrams, and Worker Affidavit of Assurances. 4. Submit the completed packet with fee payment to the Judge/Executive's office at 15 Public Square, Lancaster, KY 40444. 5. After permit issuance, contact Building Inspector Tim Scott (859-339-0739) and trade inspectors to schedule the four standard inspections. 6. Pass all required inspections: Footer/Foundation, Framing, Insulation, and Final.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Garrard County, KY?
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Garrard County, KY typically run Processing time varies; contact the Judge/Executive's office at (859) 792-3531 to confirm.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Garrard County, KY?
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Garrard County, KY via: Building Inspector Tim Scott, (859) 339-0739.
last verified April 2026 source Garrard County Code Enforcement - Building Code Enforcement Division ↗ entry id permits/kentucky/garrard/unincorporated

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Garrard County Code Enforcement - Building Code Enforcement Division before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.