County Building Permits
Johnson County, KY - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Johnson County, Kentucky. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated portions of Johnson County outside Paintsville, covering rural towns and hollows in the county's purview.
- Department
- Johnson County Community Development/Building Inspection (Fiscal Court)
- Address
- 230 Court Street, Suite 201, Paintsville, KY 41240
- Phone
- (606) 789-2550
Online Permit Portal
Platform: • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Contact Bob Stewart, the local building inspector, at (606) 789-2600 to confirm whether your project needs a permit and request the correct application packet.
- Submit the completed application and any supporting documentation to the Johnson County Health Department at 630 James S. Trimble Boulevard, Paintsville, KY 41240.
- If the property lies within a Special Flood Hazard Area, coordinate with Floodplain Coordinator Jeff Cochran at (606) 789-2550 to obtain the required state and local floodplain permits before starting construction.
- After the application is accepted, work with the same office to schedule mandatory inspections and finalize issuance.
Source: Johnson County Community Development/Building Inspection (Fiscal Court)
General Requirements
New buildings, additions, structural alterations, occupancy changes, and any work in a Special Flood Hazard Area require a permit under the 2018 Kentucky Building Code (KBC) and 2018 Kentucky Residential Code (KRC).
- Building code
- 2018 Kentucky Building Code (KBC) and 2018 Kentucky Residential Code (KRC) with Kentucky-specific amendments mirroring the 2015 IBC/IRC editions
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builders should confirm whether they qualify through the building inspector.
- Contractor requirements
- Kentucky has no statewide general contractor license; counties set their own licensing requirements. Plumbers, electricians, HVAC, and similar trades must hold the appropriate DHBC license. Verify Johnson County-specific allowances before contracting work.
Fees
- Payment note
- Payments are handled directly with the local inspector; accepted payment methods are not documented online.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Johnson County Community Development/Building Inspection (Fiscal Court) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (606) 789-2600 (phone)
Typical inspection sequence: Not documented; the inspector will advise on the required inspection sequence during the permit review.
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2018 Kentucky Building Code (KBC) and 2018 Kentucky Residential Code (KRC) with Kentucky-specific amendments mirroring the 2015 IBC/IRC editions
- Verify contractor license: Kentucky DHBC License Lookup
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Floodplain Management
- DHBC Johnson County Building Inspector Contact Sheet
- DHBC Homepage
- 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 Johnson County Community Development/Building Inspection (Fiscal Court) before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Johnson County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Johnson County, KY?
- New buildings, additions, structural alterations, occupancy changes, and any work in a Special Flood Hazard Area require a permit under the 2018 Kentucky Building Code (KBC) and 2018 Kentucky Residential Code (KRC).
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Johnson County, KY?
- 1. Contact Bob Stewart, the local building inspector, at (606) 789-2600 to confirm whether your project needs a permit and request the correct application packet. 2. Submit the completed application and any supporting documentation to the Johnson County Health Department at 630 James S. Trimble Boulevard, Paintsville, KY 41240. 3. If the property lies within a Special Flood Hazard Area, coordinate with Floodplain Coordinator Jeff Cochran at (606) 789-2550 to obtain the required state and local floodplain permits before starting construction. 4. After the application is accepted, work with the same office to schedule mandatory inspections and finalize issuance.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Johnson County, KY?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (606) 789-2600.
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