Lee County, KY - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Lee County has no local building inspector or enforcement office. The DHBC assumes code enforcement for countywide construction (commercial structures, multiunit, and any work beyond what minimal local programs are assigned) and coordinates inspections and plan review on behalf of the county.

Department

Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Division of Building Codes Enforcement (DHBC-BCE)

Address

500 Mero Street (First Floor), Frankfort, KY 40601; field office at Lee County Health Department, 48 Center Street, Beattyville, KY 41311

Phone

(502) 573-0373 (DHBC main desk); (859) 358-4467 (State Building Inspector Alison Joyce for Lee County)

Email

HBC.BCE@ky.gov (general questions) , alison.joyce@ky.gov (State Building Inspector)

Website

https://dhbc.ky.gov

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm zoning: contact the local planning/zoning authority for the site to ensure the parcel is appropriately zoned before preparing a permit application.
2. Determine jurisdiction: consult DHBC or local code officials (call 502-573-0373) to see whether the state (DHBC) or a local program reviews the work; Lee County projects default to DHBC because no local inspector is assigned.
3. Submit plans: upload one complete application form, fee sheet, plan sets, fire suppression data, and related documents via SmartGov; resubmittals may require emailing revised sheets to HBC.plans@ky.gov.
4. Pay fees: include the applicable plan review fee when submitting; the check is made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer and must identify the project name, location, and contact information.
5. Coordinate inspections and approvals: after plan approval and fee payment, schedule the required inspections (building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical) with the assigned DHBC inspector for Lee County and comply with any health-department sign-offs if the project touches local public-health facilities.

Typical processing time: DHBC does not publish a fixed timeline. The plan guide encourages applicants to call the Division of Building Codes Enforcement (502-573-0373) to get project-specific review windows and expedited fast-track options.

Source: Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Division of Building Codes Enforcement (DHBC-BCE)

General Requirements

The Kentucky Building Code (Section 105.1) requires a building permit for new construction, additions, alterations, repairs, demolitions, and infrastructure work (plumbing, electrical, mechanical) that falls under DHBC review.

Required Documents

• Completed application form
• Fee sheet
• Fire suppression form
• Complete plan sets
• Sequence of operations
• Structural/geotechnical reports
• Accessibility details
• Energy compliance documentation
• Plumbing riser diagrams
• License documentation

Permit validity

Kentucky Building Code Section 105.5 typically invalidates a permit if work does not begin within 180 days; extensions must be requested and approved before the expiration date.

Building code

2018 Kentucky Building Code (2015 International Building Code plus Kentucky amendments)

Owner-builder

Section 106 of the KBC requires that whenever a registered design professional is needed, the owner must supply sealed construction documents and coordinate the professional's responsibilities. An owner-builder may assume the general contractor role when the work does not trigger licensing requirements.

Contractor requirements

General construction does not require a state license, but plumbing, electrical, fire suppression, HVAC, elevator, boiler, and other specialty contractors must be state-licensed even if DHBC (state) or a local program issues the permit.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$285

Plan check fee

Equals the valuation-based plan review fee outlined in DHBC Plan Submission Application Guide, Table 121.3.1; plumbing-only projects are exempt from the building plan review fee but must still pay the plumbing review fee.

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based: gross floor area multiplied by a cost-per-square-foot factor based on occupancy type (residential 15 cents, assembly 16 cents, etc.) with a fast-track surcharge (50% additional) when requested.

Payment note

Fees must be paid to the Kentucky State Treasurer, rounded to the nearest dollar. Project name and location should be on the check. The plan review fee covers plan review and field inspection services.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Small detached accessory buildings (one story, typically 120 square feet or less) used for storage or play
• Nonstructural finish work such as painting, tiling, carpeting, or cabinets
• Mechanical/electrical/plumbing replacements that do not alter system capacity, location, or rating (e.g., replacing light fixtures, valves, or devices) provided the work does not expand or relocate the affected system

Important: Refer to Kentucky Building Code Section 105.2 for complete exemption details and verify edge cases with DHBC-BCE before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Division of Building Codes Enforcement (phone)
• State Building Inspector for Lee County (859-358-4467) (phone)

Inspection hours

8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Eastern

Typical inspection sequence: Per KBC Section 107, inspections cover footing/foundation, concrete slab, framing/service rough-ins, fire/life safety systems, and final occupancy inspections. The DHBC plan review fee covers these field visits.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2018 Kentucky Building Code (2015 International Building Code plus Kentucky amendments)
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Lee County Government Portal
• DHBC Plan Submission Application Guide
• License lookup guide: Kentucky Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Kentucky Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Kentucky hub: Kentucky Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Lee County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Lee County, KY?

The Kentucky Building Code (Section 105.1) requires a building permit for new construction, additions, alterations, repairs, demolitions, and infrastructure work (plumbing, electrical, mechanical) that falls under DHBC review.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Lee County, KY?

The minimum permit fee is $285. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based: gross floor area multiplied by a cost-per-square-foot factor based on occupancy type (residential 15 cents, assembly 16 cents, etc.) with a fast-track surcharge (50% additional) when requested.. Plan check fee: Equals the valuation-based plan review fee outlined in DHBC Plan Submission Application Guide, Table 121.3.1; plumbing-only projects are exempt from the building plan review fee but must still pay the plumbing review fee..

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lee County, KY?

1. Confirm zoning: contact the local planning/zoning authority for the site to ensure the parcel is appropriately zoned before preparing a permit application. 2. Determine jurisdiction: consult DHBC or local code officials (call 502-573-0373) to see whether the state (DHBC) or a local program reviews the work; Lee County projects default to DHBC because no local inspector is assigned. 3. Submit plans: upload one complete application form, fee sheet, plan sets, fire suppression data, and related documents via SmartGov; resubmittals may require emailing revised sheets to HBC.plans@ky.gov. 4. Pay fees: include the applicable plan review fee when submitting; the check is made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer and must identify the project name, location, and contact information. 5. Coordinate inspections and approvals: after plan approval and fee payment, schedule the required inspections (building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical) with the assigned DHBC inspector for Lee County and comply with any health-department sign-offs if the project touches local public-health facilities.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Lee County, KY?

Typical processing time is DHBC does not publish a fixed timeline. The plan guide encourages applicants to call the Division of Building Codes Enforcement (502-573-0373) to get project-specific review windows and expedited fast-track options..

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Lee County, KY?

The following work is generally exempt: Small detached accessory buildings (one story, typically 120 square feet or less) used for storage or play; Nonstructural finish work such as painting, tiling, carpeting, or cabinets; Mechanical/electrical/plumbing replacements that do not alter system capacity, location, or rating (e.g., replacing light fixtures, valves, or devices) provided the work does not expand or relocate the affected system. Note: Refer to Kentucky Building Code Section 105.2 for complete exemption details and verify edge cases with DHBC-BCE before proceeding.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Lee County, KY?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Division of Building Codes Enforcement, State Building Inspector for Lee County (859-358-4467).