Hickory Hill, KY - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Kentucky DHBC lists Louisville Metro as the local building jurisdiction for Jefferson County and expressly excludes only Jeffersontown. City of Hickory Hill therefore routes building permits through Louisville Metro Construction Review.

Department

Construction Review Division, Department of Codes and Regulations, Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government

Address

444 S. 5th St., Louisville, KY 40202

Phone

(502) 574-3321

Email

constructionrevcs@louisvilleky.gov

Website

https://louisvilleky.gov/government/construction-review

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

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.

Source: Construction Review Division, Department of Codes and Regulations, Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government

General Requirements

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.

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

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.

Building code

2018 Kentucky Building Code and Kentucky Residential Code as locally enforced in Jefferson County

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.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$75

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.

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.

Reinspection fee

$50 per additional inspection not covered by the initial permit fee

Penalty (no permit)

Penalty equal to the standard fee for starting work without a permit; minimum $1,000 penalty for unpermitted electrical work

Payment note

Online fee payment through the Accela Business Portal. Some specialized records may involve separate outside-agency charges.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective February 6, 2024).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• 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

Important: 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.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Accela Business Portal (online)
• (502) 574-3321 (phone)

Inspection hours

Normal business hours; contact Construction Review for coordination.

Typical inspection 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.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2018 Kentucky Building Code and Kentucky Residential Code as locally enforced in Jefferson County
• Verify contractor license: Louisville Metro Contractor License Application
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Kentucky DHBC Jefferson County Jurisdiction Sheet
• LOJIC Property Lookup
• License lookup guide: Kentucky Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Kentucky Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Kentucky hub: Kentucky Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Hickory Hill Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Hickory Hill, 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.

How much does a building permit cost in Hickory Hill, KY?

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..

How do I apply for a building permit in Hickory Hill, KY?

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.

What work is exempt from building permits in Hickory Hill, 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.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Hickory Hill, KY?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Accela Business Portal, (502) 574-3321.

Other cities in Jefferson County