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City building permits

City of Elizabethtown

How to apply for a building permit in City of Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

City of Elizabethtown, Department of Planning and Development

Street address
200 West Dixie Ave., Elizabethtown, KY 42701
Coverage
City permitting authority for work inside Elizabethtown city limits
Online portal
Permit Applications
Downloadable PDF Forms
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Elizabethtown

The city publishes construction permit applications for residential, commercial, multifamily, demolition, relocation, temporary structures, pools, signs, and electrical work.

Note: No public exempt-work list was clearly published in the city permit packet reviewed. The fee schedule shows no construction permit fee for projects up to $9,999, but that is a fee rule and not an explicit permit exemption.

Required documents
  • Correct application form
  • Building plans
  • Site plan for new buildings and additions
  • Erosion and encroachment permits where applicable
  • Evidence of business license and workers compensation or exemption affidavit for contractors
  • Plan review and permit fees
Building code
Kentucky Residential Building Code and applicable Kentucky Building Code
Permit validity
No general citywide permit expiration rule was clearly published in the public permit packet reviewed.
Owner-builder
Homeowners are exempt from the contractor business license and workers compensation evidence requirement.
Contractor requirements
Contractors must provide evidence of business license and workers compensation or an affidavit of exemption.
§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Written notification of plan review status within 30 days of plan submission

  1. 01
    Download the correct permit application from the city permit applications page.
  2. 02
    Prepare the plan review package and supporting items. The residential application requires building plans, and for new buildings and additions a current site plan plus erosion and encroachment permits.
  3. 03
    Submit the application to Planning and Development. Multiple city offices must review and approve before permit issue.
  4. 04
    Wait for plan review where required. The city will provide written notification of plan review status within 30 days of plan submission.
  5. 05
    Pay plan review and permit fees. Work cannot commence until all fees are paid and the permit is issued.
  6. 06
    Schedule inspections and obtain final approvals before occupancy.

Typical processing time: Written notification of plan review status within 30 days of plan submission

Source: City of Elizabethtown, Department of Planning and Development ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Elizabethtown building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
No fee up to $9,999 construction cost; $25 minimum once the project enters the fee schedule
02
Plan check fee
Single family homes up to 1,999 square feet $100; 2,000 square feet and over $150; commercial projects per 2018 KBC Section 121
03
Permit fee formula
Construction permit fees are valuation based

Work cannot commence until all fees have been paid and the permit is issued

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • Through the city after permit issuance (in-person)
Inspection hours
Department hours not clearly published; city offices generally open during normal business hours

Typical sequence: Varies by permit type; city requires final approval before occupancy

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Elizabethtown permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Elizabethtown, KY?
The city publishes construction permit applications for residential, commercial, multifamily, demolition, relocation, temporary structures, pools, signs, and electrical work.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Elizabethtown, KY?
Building permit fees in Elizabethtown, KY are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is No fee up to $9,999 construction cost; $25 minimum once the project enters the fee schedule. Fees are calculated as: Construction permit fees are valuation based. Plan check fee: Single family homes up to 1,999 square feet $100; 2,000 square feet and over $150; commercial projects per 2018 KBC Section 121.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Elizabethtown, KY?
To apply for a building permit in Elizabethtown, KY, follow these steps: 1. Download the correct permit application from the city permit applications page. 2. Prepare the plan review package and supporting items. The residential application requires building plans, and for new buildings and additions a current site plan plus erosion and encroachment permits. 3. Submit the application to Planning and Development. Multiple city offices must review and approve before permit issue. 4. Wait for plan review where required. The city will provide written notification of plan review status within 30 days of plan submission. 5. Pay plan review and permit fees. Work cannot commence until all fees are paid and the permit is issued. 6. Schedule inspections and obtain final approvals before occupancy.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Elizabethtown, KY?
Building permit processing times in Elizabethtown, KY typically run Written notification of plan review status within 30 days of plan submission. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Elizabethtown, KY?
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Elizabethtown, KY via: Through the city after permit issuance.
last verified April 2026 source City of Elizabethtown, Department of Planning and Development ↗ entry id permits/kentucky/hardin/elizabethtown-city

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Elizabethtown, Department of Planning and Development before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

§   Adjacent

Other jurisdictions in Hardin County.

Same county, different permit office. Click for that jurisdiction's full guide.

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