County Building Permits
Grayson County, KY - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Grayson County, Kentucky. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
The county building inspector administers USBC permits for the unincorporated county and most small towns. Incorporated cities (Leitchfield, Clarkson, Caneyville) coordinate zoning and historic overlays before handing over the building permit to the county inspector.
- Department
- Grayson County Planning & Zoning / Building Inspector
- Address
- 101 West Main Street, Leitchfield, KY 42754
- Phone
- (270) 259-2104
Online Permit Portal
Platform: • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Download and fill the county building permit application, zoning compliance form, and the Kentucky Department of Housing & Construction (DHBC) affidavit from the county website or request via email.
- Submit detailed site plans, floor plans, project scope, utility letters (water/sewer), and floodplain or septic reports if the parcel falls within designated overlays.
- Deliver the completed packets to the Planning & Zoning office at the courthouse or email attachments to planning@graysoncountyky.gov.
- Pay valuation-based fees at the county office; the Building Inspector reviews the application for code compliance once the fee is paid.
- The Building Inspector issues the permit once all documentation and payments are received.
- Schedule required inspections with the inspector by phone at (270) 259-2104; all inspection requests are logged with the permit number and inspection type.
Typical processing time: Plan review begins when the application, plans, and fees are complete. County reviews permits during business hours.
Source: Grayson County Planning & Zoning / Building Inspector
General Requirements
All construction, additions, structural remodels, roofing, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work regulated by the USBC.
Required Documents
- Building permit application
- Supporting plans sealed per the 2021 Kentucky Building Code
- Energy compliance documentation
- Zoning approval
- Septic and/or flood documentation (if applicable)
- Contractor license proof
- Permit validity
- Permits expire if inspections are not requested within the timeframe defined by the inspector; contact the office for extensions.
- Building code
- Kentucky Residential/Building Code (2021)
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builder affidavits are accepted under Kentucky statutes; the affidavit must be submitted with the application.
- Contractor requirements
- Kentucky DPOR license verification is required when contractors submit the application; insurance certificates must be on file.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Valuation-based tiers for residential, commercial, and trade work; separate rules for plumbing/electrical/mechanical
- Reinspection fee
- $50 per revisit when corrections are outstanding
- Payment note
- Fees are collected when the packet is submitted; the county accepts checks or money orders payable to Grayson County Planning & Zoning
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Minor repairs
- Fences under 6 feet
- Limited non-structural work (per USBC Section 105)
Important: Any site disturbance or overlay (historic/floodplain) needs coordination. Confirm any exemption with the inspector before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (270) 259-2104 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Weekdays during county hours
Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: Foundation, framing, electrical/mechanical/plumbing rough, insulation, final. The county maintains a checklist per the permit package.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Kentucky Residential/Building Code (2021)
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction
- License lookup guide: Kentucky Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Kentucky Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Kentucky hub: Kentucky Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Grayson County Planning & Zoning / Building Inspector before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Grayson County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Grayson County, KY?
- All construction, additions, structural remodels, roofing, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work regulated by the USBC.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Grayson County, KY?
- Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based tiers for residential, commercial, and trade work; separate rules for plumbing/electrical/mechanical.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Grayson County, KY?
- 1. Download and fill the county building permit application, zoning compliance form, and the Kentucky Department of Housing & Construction (DHBC) affidavit from the county website or request via email. 2. Submit detailed site plans, floor plans, project scope, utility letters (water/sewer), and floodplain or septic reports if the parcel falls within designated overlays. 3. Deliver the completed packets to the Planning & Zoning office at the courthouse or email attachments to planning@graysoncountyky.gov. 4. Pay valuation-based fees at the county office; the Building Inspector reviews the application for code compliance once the fee is paid. 5. The Building Inspector issues the permit once all documentation and payments are received. 6. Schedule required inspections with the inspector by phone at (270) 259-2104; all inspection requests are logged with the permit number and inspection type.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Grayson County, KY?
- Typical processing time is Plan review begins when the application, plans, and fees are complete. County reviews permits during business hours..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Grayson County, KY?
- The following work is generally exempt: Minor repairs; Fences under 6 feet; Limited non-structural work (per USBC Section 105). Note: Any site disturbance or overlay (historic/floodplain) needs coordination. Confirm any exemption with the inspector before starting work.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Grayson County, KY?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (270) 259-2104.
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