On this page 6
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Laurel County
A building permit is required for new construction, additions, moving structures over 120 square feet, change of use, affecting load-bearing walls, and similar work. These requirements apply to unincorporated county properties.
- Exempt Vinyl siding
- Exempt Replacement windows
- Exempt Painting
- Exempt Shingles
- London building permit application
- Project cost breakdown
- Proof of insurance
- Contractor and owner information
- Complete set of construction plans
- Notarized Affidavit of Assurances
- Building code
- Laurel County follows the Kentucky Building Code and Appendix Q for tiny houses, administered through the London-Laurel County Joint Planning Commission.
- Permit validity
- The six-month start window, change controls, and final inspection/certificate of occupancy requirements mirror the city policy.
- Owner-builder
- The Affidavit of Assurances requires compliance with Kentucky workers' compensation and unemployment insurance for all contractors on county permits.
- Contractor requirements
- The same electrical permit requirements (city business license for electrical work) are enforced county-wide.
Application process
Typical processing: Not published; contact the building inspector for current lead times.
- 01 Complete the London building permit application with all project and insurance data, plus the Affidavit of Assurances and supporting plans.
- 02 Deliver the packet to the City of London building division (the same office handling county permits); the application records plan review dates and requires a full set of plans.
- 03 The local building inspector (Douglas Gilbert) reviews the submission, records the permit number and fee, and issues the permit for the unincorporated property.
- 04 Notify the inspector once the work is ready for inspections; final inspection requires trade approvals so the inspector can issue a certificate of occupancy.
Typical processing time: Not published; contact the building inspector for current lead times.
Fee schedule
Laurel County building permit fees
Fee schedule not posted; call the Laurel County zoning and building office at (606) 864-5158 to confirm current fees. Permit fees are entered on the application and collected upon issuance; applications and payments are handled in person.
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
- (606) 864-8401 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with specific DHBC office hours (Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:00 AM-9:30 AM) for some inspectors.
Typical sequence: Typical sequence: plan review, permit issuance, trade-specific inspections, final inspection, and a certificate of occupancy once electrical/plumbing/HVAC approvals have been submitted.
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Laurel County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Laurel County, KY? ▸
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Laurel County, KY? ▸
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Laurel County, KY? ▸
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Laurel County, KY? ▸
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Laurel County, KY? ▸
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Laurel County, KY? ▸
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with London-Laurel County Joint Planning & Zoning Commission in partnership with the City of London Department of Housing, Buildings & Construction, Division of Building Code Enforcement before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.