City Building Permits
McKee, KY - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in McKee, Kentucky. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All properties within the incorporated City of McKee limits; the surrounding unincorporated county is handled by the Jackson County Fiscal Court.
- Department
- City of McKee City Hall / Permitting Desk
- Address
- 526 Main Street, P.O. Box 455, McKee, KY 40447
- Phone
- 606-287-8305
- Website
- https://mckee.ky.gov/
Online Permit Portal
Platform: City Hall Permitting Desk • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Prepare scaled site and structure drawings showing the lot, all proposed or altered buildings, and yard dimensions.
- Obtain a County Health Officer certificate before applying.
- Submit the application, plans, certificate, and fees to City Hall.
- City staff review for compliance with code criteria.
- Permit issuance occurs no sooner than 72 hours (three working days) and no later than 30 days once the submission meets all code requirements.
- Begin construction; an issued permit becomes void after six months without work unless the city grants an extension.
Typical processing time: 72 hours minimum to 30 days maximum.
General Requirements
Any excavation, construction, relocation, or exterior alteration of a building or accessory structure within city limits requires a permit before work begins.
Required Documents
- Scaled plan with lot and structure dimensions
- County Health Officer certificate approving the proposed work
- Permit validity
- Permits expire six months after issuance if work has not commenced unless the city approves an extension.
- Building code
- Kentucky Administrative Regulations Title 815, Chapters 7 (Building Code), 20 (Plumbing Code), and 10 (Standards of Safety)
- Owner-builder
- The ordinance simply prohibits commencing work without a permit; owner-builders must follow the same process as licensed contractors.
- Contractor requirements
- Trades must comply with the state licensing and inspection regimes administered by the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $5 for projects valued between $50 and $250
- Permit fee formula
- Tiered valuation table: new homes ($20/sq ft living area, $10/sq ft attached garage, $10/sq ft second floor, $10/sq ft improved basement); commercial or contract price $15/sq ft. Demolition, moving, and variance fees also listed.
- Payment note
- Payment is handled through City Hall at the time of application.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the City of McKee City Hall / Permitting Desk to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Jackson County Health Department (phone)
- State Inspectors (via DHBC contact sheet) (in-person)
- Inspection hours
- Jackson County Health Department: Tuesday 8:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. (EST)
Typical inspection sequence: Health Department sign-off for septic/plumbing must accompany city review. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical inspections are scheduled with the state inspectors or county electrical inspector listed on the DHBC contact sheet.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Kentucky Administrative Regulations Title 815, Chapters 7 (Building Code), 20 (Plumbing Code), and 10 (Standards of Safety)
- 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 City of McKee City Hall / Permitting Desk before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
McKee Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in McKee, KY?
- Any excavation, construction, relocation, or exterior alteration of a building or accessory structure within city limits requires a permit before work begins.
- How much does a building permit cost in McKee, KY?
- The minimum permit fee is $5 for projects valued between $50 and $250. Fees are calculated as: Tiered valuation table: new homes ($20/sq ft living area, $10/sq ft attached garage, $10/sq ft second floor, $10/sq ft improved basement); commercial or contract price $15/sq ft. Demolition, moving, and variance fees also listed..
- How do I apply for a building permit in McKee, KY?
- 1. Prepare scaled site and structure drawings showing the lot, all proposed or altered buildings, and yard dimensions. 2. Obtain a County Health Officer certificate before applying. 3. Submit the application, plans, certificate, and fees to City Hall. 4. City staff review for compliance with code criteria. 5. Permit issuance occurs no sooner than 72 hours (three working days) and no later than 30 days once the submission meets all code requirements. 6. Begin construction; an issued permit becomes void after six months without work unless the city grants an extension.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in McKee, KY?
- Typical processing time is 72 hours minimum to 30 days maximum..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in McKee, KY?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Jackson County Health Department, State Inspectors (via DHBC contact sheet).
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