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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Jeffersontown
A building permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter (including interior demolition only), move, change occupancy or use of a building or structure, install an in-ground swimming pool, or assemble any tent greater than 400 sq ft. Trade permits are required for electrical, mechanical or HVAC, plumbing, fire suppression, and fire detection work. Demolition permits are required to wreck, raze, or demolish an entire building or part of one.
Residential decks that do not serve the required egress door, are not attached to the dwelling, are no more than 30 inches above grade at any point, and do not exceed 200 sq ft
Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
Tents and membrane structures with area of 400 sq ft or less
Certain small detached accessory structures, tool sheds, and playhouses within the city posted code thresholds
Retaining walls not over 4 ft high when not supporting surcharge or impounding regulated liquids
Sidewalks and driveways within the posted exemption limits
Fences not over 7 ft in height
Cosmetic work such as painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, or similar finish work
Minor electrical repairs such as replacement of existing receptacles, switches, lights, and breakers in place, where no relocation or new wiring is involved
Portable or small mechanical equipment within the city posted code exemptions
- Exempt Residential decks that do not serve the required egress door, are not attached to the dwelling, are no more than 30 inches above grade at any point, and do not exceed 200 sq ft
- Exempt Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery
- Exempt Tents and membrane structures with area of 400 sq ft or less
- Exempt Certain small detached accessory structures, tool sheds, and playhouses within the city posted code thresholds
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 ft high when not supporting surcharge or impounding regulated liquids
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways within the posted exemption limits
- Exempt Fences not over 7 ft in height
- Exempt Cosmetic work such as painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, or similar finish work
- Exempt Minor electrical repairs such as replacement of existing receptacles, switches, lights, and breakers in place, where no relocation or new wiring is involved
- Exempt Portable or small mechanical equipment within the city posted code exemptions
Required documents
- Permit application
- City business license or homeowner waiver
- Affidavit of assurances
- Workers compensation or unemployment affidavits
- Site plan
- Building plans (commercial: two complete plan sets plus one electronic copy; residential: floor plans, sections, elevations, and related details)
- Drainage bond proof where applicable
- MSD disturbance approval where applicable
- Outside-agency approvals as required
- Building code
- 2018 Kentucky Building Code and 2018 Kentucky Residential Code with referenced adopted codes and standards. The state retains jurisdiction over plumbing, elevator, institutional, and certain specialized occupancies.
- Permit validity
- No general building permit expiration rule was clearly posted on Jeffersontown public pages. Confirm active-permit duration and extension policy directly with the department at intake.
- Owner-builder
- Jeffersontown publishes homeowner building, electrical, and HVAC waiver forms. Residential packets require either a city business license from Jeffersontown or the homeowner waiver, indicating a documented owner-builder path for qualifying owner occupants.
- Contractor requirements
- All contractors and subcontractors must have an active business license in the City of Jeffersontown before starting work on commercial permits. Residential packets also require city business license information unless the homeowner waiver applies.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No general building permit turnaround time is publicly posted. Fire detection permits are approximately 10 to 15 business days.
- 01 Verify that the property is inside Jeffersontown city limits using LOJIC before preparing the application.
- 02 Determine the correct permit packet: residential building, commercial building, trade permit, sign, demolition, fire system, or development and zoning application.
- 03 Assemble the required application, plans, site plan, affidavits, homeowner waiver if applicable, business license or homeowner waiver documentation, and any required outside approvals such as planning, landscape, public works, MSD, health department, or Jeffersontown Fire Department approvals.
- 04 Submit the completed packet in person, by mail, or by email to permits@jeffersontownky.gov. Jeffersontown instructs applicants not to send web links or Dropbox links for plans.
- 05 Pay required fees. At least one-half of the commercial building permit fee is due at submittal for plan review; 50 percent of the residential building permit fee is due upon submittal of building plans.
- 06 After plan approval, provide any required final hard-copy set for stamping, keep approved plans on site, request inspections directly from the assigned inspector, and obtain final approval before project completion.
Typical processing time: No general building permit turnaround time is publicly posted. Fire detection permits are approximately 10 to 15 business days.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Jeffersontown building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$100
02
Plan check fee
50 percent of the building permit fee due at plan submittal for residential; minimum one-half of the commercial building permit fee due at submittal for commercial.
03
Permit fee formula
New building permit fees are generally $0.15 per sq ft across listed occupancy groups. Alterations and repairs are $10 base fee plus $2.50 per $1,000 of estimated cost.
04
Reinspection fee
$50 per failed reinspection
Jeffersontown accepts payment in person by cash, check, or credit card; by mail with checks; and by phone with credit card. Credit card fees apply.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- (502) 267-8333 (phone)
- Email assigned inspector directly (email)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Typical sequence: Inspection requests must be made by the professional who performed the work. Trade or site inspections as applicable, rough inspections, above-ceiling or specialty inspections where needed, and final inspection before closeout. All permitted work must remain accessible and fully exposed until approved.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Jeffersontown permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Jeffersontown, KY? ▸
A building permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter (including interior demolition only), move, change occupancy or use of a building or structure, install an in-ground swimming pool, or assemble any tent greater than 400 sq ft. Trade permits are required for electrical, mechanical or HVAC, plumbing, fire suppression, and fire detection work. Demolition permits are required to wreck, raze, or demolish an entire building or part of one.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Jeffersontown, KY? ▸
Building permit fees in Jeffersontown, KY are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $100. Fees are calculated as: New building permit fees are generally $0.15 per sq ft across listed occupancy groups. Alterations and repairs are $10 base fee plus $2.50 per $1,000 of estimated cost.. Plan check fee: 50 percent of the building permit fee due at plan submittal for residential; minimum one-half of the commercial building permit fee due at submittal for commercial..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Jeffersontown, KY? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Jeffersontown, KY, follow these steps: 1. Verify that the property is inside Jeffersontown city limits using LOJIC before preparing the application. 2. Determine the correct permit packet: residential building, commercial building, trade permit, sign, demolition, fire system, or development and zoning application. 3. Assemble the required application, plans, site plan, affidavits, homeowner waiver if applicable, business license or homeowner waiver documentation, and any required outside approvals such as planning, landscape, public works, MSD, health department, or Jeffersontown Fire Department approvals. 4. Submit the completed packet in person, by mail, or by email to permits@jeffersontownky.gov. Jeffersontown instructs applicants not to send web links or Dropbox links for plans. 5. Pay required fees. At least one-half of the commercial building permit fee is due at submittal for plan review; 50 percent of the residential building permit fee is due upon submittal of building plans. 6. After plan approval, provide any required final hard-copy set for stamping, keep approved plans on site, request inspections directly from the assigned inspector, and obtain final approval before project completion.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Jeffersontown, KY? ▸
Building permit processing times in Jeffersontown, KY typically run No general building permit turnaround time is publicly posted. Fire detection permits are approximately 10 to 15 business days.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Jeffersontown, KY? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Jeffersontown, KY. The following work is generally exempt: Residential decks that do not serve the required egress door, are not attached to the dwelling, are no more than 30 inches above grade at any point, and do not exceed 200 sq ft; Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery; Tents and membrane structures with area of 400 sq ft or less; Certain small detached accessory structures, tool sheds, and playhouses within the city posted code thresholds; Retaining walls not over 4 ft high when not supporting surcharge or impounding regulated liquids; Sidewalks and driveways within the posted exemption limits; Fences not over 7 ft in height; Cosmetic work such as painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, or similar finish work; Minor electrical repairs such as replacement of existing receptacles, switches, lights, and breakers in place, where no relocation or new wiring is involved; Portable or small mechanical equipment within the city posted code exemptions. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Jeffersontown, KY? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Jeffersontown, KY via: (502) 267-8333, Email assigned inspector directly.
last verified April 2026
source Building Department, City of Jeffersontown ↗
entry id permits/kentucky/jefferson/jeffersontown
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building Department, City of Jeffersontown before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.