On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Briarwood
Louisville Metro requires permits for new construction, additions, complete alterations, renovations, change of occupancy or use, temporary structures and tents, decks and accessory structures that cross exemption thresholds, electrical work, HVAC or mechanical work, signs, moving, and wrecking.
Ordinary cosmetic work such as painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work when no structural or systems work is involved
Small detached accessory structures that do not exceed the code threshold (commonly 200 sq ft)
Small decks below code trigger thresholds
Small tents or membrane structures at or below the code threshold
Minor electrical repairs such as replacing existing receptacles, switches, lights, or breakers in place, when no relocation or new wiring is involved
Portable heating, cooling, ventilation, or small self-contained mechanical equipment within code exemptions
- Exempt Ordinary cosmetic work such as painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work when no structural or systems work is involved
- Exempt Small detached accessory structures that do not exceed the code threshold (commonly 200 sq ft)
- Exempt Small decks below code trigger thresholds
- Exempt Small tents or membrane structures at or below the code threshold
- Exempt Minor electrical repairs such as replacing existing receptacles, switches, lights, or breakers in place, when no relocation or new wiring is involved
- Exempt Portable heating, cooling, ventilation, or small self-contained mechanical equipment within code exemptions
Note: Applicants should verify edge cases with Construction Review because exemptions depend on scope, occupancy, height, area, and whether the work affects egress, structure, utilities, or accessibility.
Required documents
- Louisville building permit application
- Project address, owner and applicant information
- Description of work and estimated cost
- Square footage and construction documents
- Required approvals from MSD, Planning and Design Services, APCD, fire agencies, health department, or similar outside reviewers
- Building code
- 2018 Kentucky Building Code and Kentucky Residential Code as locally enforced in Jefferson County
- Permit validity
- Permits expire if no inspection has been made within 180 days. A $35 extension or reactivation fee applies for approved requests made within 180 days after expiration; later requests are subject to the full permit fee.
- Owner-builder
- Property owners may apply for building permits as owner or authorized agent. Electrical and HVAC permits require a Metro-licensed contractor unless the applicant is the sole owner and lives at the address. Plumbing permits are handled by the state plumbing office.
- Contractor requirements
- Metro contractor identification licenses are required for local license categories. The application requires an occupational license number, unemployment insurance compliance, workers compensation or affidavit, liability insurance, and trade-specific prerequisites.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm the site is in Louisville Metro jurisdiction and check whether separate Planning and Design Services, floodplain, MSD sewer, erosion control, health department, fire district, landmark, overlay, waiver, conditional use, or transportation review is required before permit issuance.
- 02 Create or log into the Louisville Metro Accela Business Portal, then start the correct application type for building, electrical, HVAC, sign, wrecking, moving, fire systems, or related scope.
- 03 Upload the application, owner and agent information, plans, site information, valuation or square footage data, and any outside agency approvals that apply to the project.
- 04 Respond to reviewer comments and resubmit revised documents as needed until all review agencies clear the record.
- 05 Pay assessed permit fees and any plan review or related charges. Construction Review then issues the permit record.
- 06 Keep approved plans on site, request inspections through the portal or by contacting Construction Review, and obtain final approval before concealment or occupancy where required.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective February 6, 2024
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$75
02
Plan check fee
Minimum $30 or one-third of the normal permit fee, whichever is higher. Foundation-only permits: $75 for single-family dwellings and accessory structures; $125 for other uses.
03
Permit fee formula
Residential 1 and 2 family: $0.105 per sq ft. Most nonresidential categories: $0.13 to $0.16 per sq ft. Partial alterations and work without calculable square footage: $50 plus $2.50 per $1,000 of estimated cost.
04
Reinspection fee
$50 per additional inspection not covered by the initial permit fee
05
Penalty (no permit)
Penalty equal to the standard fee for starting work without a permit; minimum $1,000 penalty for unpermitted electrical work
Online fee payment through the Accela Business Portal. Some specialized records may involve separate outside-agency charges.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective February 6, 2024) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Accela Business Portal (online)
- (502) 574-3321 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Normal business hours; contact Construction Review for coordination.
Typical sequence: Permit issuance, then trade or foundation inspections as work progresses, followed by framing and rough inspections where applicable, and final inspection before occupancy or project closeout.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Briarwood permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Briarwood, KY? ▸
Louisville Metro requires permits for new construction, additions, complete alterations, renovations, change of occupancy or use, temporary structures and tents, decks and accessory structures that cross exemption thresholds, electrical work, HVAC or mechanical work, signs, moving, and wrecking.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Briarwood, KY? ▸
Building permit fees in Briarwood, KY are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $75. Fees are calculated as: Residential 1 and 2 family: $0.105 per sq ft. Most nonresidential categories: $0.13 to $0.16 per sq ft. Partial alterations and work without calculable square footage: $50 plus $2.50 per $1,000 of estimated cost.. Plan check fee: Minimum $30 or one-third of the normal permit fee, whichever is higher. Foundation-only permits: $75 for single-family dwellings and accessory structures; $125 for other uses..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Briarwood, KY? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Briarwood, KY, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the site is in Louisville Metro jurisdiction and check whether separate Planning and Design Services, floodplain, MSD sewer, erosion control, health department, fire district, landmark, overlay, waiver, conditional use, or transportation review is required before permit issuance. 2. Create or log into the Louisville Metro Accela Business Portal, then start the correct application type for building, electrical, HVAC, sign, wrecking, moving, fire systems, or related scope. 3. Upload the application, owner and agent information, plans, site information, valuation or square footage data, and any outside agency approvals that apply to the project. 4. Respond to reviewer comments and resubmit revised documents as needed until all review agencies clear the record. 5. Pay assessed permit fees and any plan review or related charges. Construction Review then issues the permit record. 6. Keep approved plans on site, request inspections through the portal or by contacting Construction Review, and obtain final approval before concealment or occupancy where required.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Briarwood, KY? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Briarwood, KY. The following work is generally exempt: Ordinary cosmetic work such as painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work when no structural or systems work is involved; Small detached accessory structures that do not exceed the code threshold (commonly 200 sq ft); Small decks below code trigger thresholds; Small tents or membrane structures at or below the code threshold; Minor electrical repairs such as replacing existing receptacles, switches, lights, or breakers in place, when no relocation or new wiring is involved; Portable heating, cooling, ventilation, or small self-contained mechanical equipment within code exemptions. Note: Applicants should verify edge cases with Construction Review because exemptions depend on scope, occupancy, height, area, and whether the work affects egress, structure, utilities, or accessibility. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Briarwood, KY? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Briarwood, KY via: Accela Business Portal, (502) 574-3321.
last verified April 2026
source Construction Review Division, Department of Codes and Regulations, Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government ↗
entry id permits/kentucky/jefferson/briarwood
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Construction Review Division, Department of Codes and Regulations, Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.