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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Lee County
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.
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
- Exempt Small detached accessory buildings (one story, typically 120 square feet or less) used for storage or play
- Exempt Nonstructural finish work such as painting, tiling, carpeting, or cabinets
- Exempt 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.
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
- Building code
- 2018 Kentucky Building Code (2015 International Building Code plus Kentucky amendments)
- 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.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: 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.
- 01 Confirm zoning: contact the local planning/zoning authority for the site to ensure the parcel is appropriately zoned before preparing a permit application.
- 02 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.
- 03 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.
- 04 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.
- 05 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.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Lee County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$285
02
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.
03
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.
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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 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.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Lee County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Lee County, KY? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Lee County, KY are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lee County, KY? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lee County, KY, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Lee County, KY? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Lee County, KY typically run 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.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Lee County, KY? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Lee County, KY? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Lee County, KY via: Division of Building Codes Enforcement, State Building Inspector for Lee County (859-358-4467).
last verified April 2026
source Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Division of Building Codes Enforcement (DHBC-BCE) ↗
entry id permits/kentucky/lee/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Division of Building Codes Enforcement (DHBC-BCE) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.