Letcher County, KY - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

State building inspector program covers the county because there is no local inspector. DHBC handles all work that lacks a certified local inspection program and coordinates with the city or county planning authority before issuing permits.

Department

Kentucky Department for Housing, Buildings and Construction, Division of Building Code Enforcement

Address

Letcher County Health Department, 115 East Main Street, Whitesburg, KY 41858

Phone

(606) 633-2945

Email

matthewl.wells@ky.gov

Website

https://dhbc.ky.gov/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Contact the local planning or zoning authority to confirm the proposed site is properly zoned before design work begins.
2. Determine whether the project falls under state jurisdiction; Letcher County is under state jurisdiction when no local program is certified.
3. Submit one completed application, fee sheet, and full plan set through SmartGov, including site plans, detailed drawings, fire protection forms, and owner/contractor information.
4. After approvals, schedule the required inspections from the 'Before You Build' checklist, including building, plumbing, electrical, fire suppression, and other trades.
5. Obtain the certificate of occupancy once a final inspection passes.

Typical processing time: DHBC does not publish a standard timeline; call (502) 573-0373 for project-specific estimates.

Source: Kentucky Department for Housing, Buildings and Construction, Division of Building Code Enforcement

General Requirements

New construction, additions, major renovations, occupancy changes, fire protection systems, and any mechanical, electrical, or plumbing work governed by the 2018 Kentucky Building Code or associated trade divisions.

Required Documents

• Plan application
• Fee worksheet
• Site survey
• Architectural/structural drawings
• Door/window schedules
• Fire suppression form
• Affidavits for workers compensation/unemployment

Permit validity

Section 121.4 states construction approval is issued only after all required fees are paid and any amendments carry additional fees.

Building code

2018 Kentucky Building Code (based on the 2018 International Building Code and referenced standards)

Owner-builder

Applicants must submit the affidavit of assurances, attesting to workers compensation and unemployment insurance compliance.

Contractor requirements

DHBC issues licenses for plumbing, electrical, fire suppression, and mechanical work, and those licensed trade contractors must be used for the respective systems.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$285

Plan check fee

Included within the plan review fee worksheet

Permit fee formula

Square footage multiplied by occupancy-specific cents-per-square-foot rates (13-16 cents depending on occupancy)

Payment note

Fees are due with the plan submission, must be rounded to the nearest dollar, made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer, and include project details for proper credit.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Kentucky Department for Housing, Buildings and Construction, Division of Building Code Enforcement to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Division of Building Code Enforcement (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Call (502) 573-0373 before visiting to schedule inspections; inspectors prefer pre-booked appointments.

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM EST

Typical inspection sequence: The 'Before You Build' checklist enumerates the inspections that follow plan approval: building, plumbing, electrical, fire suppression, hazardous materials, elevators, boilers, etc.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2018 Kentucky Building Code (based on the 2018 International Building Code and referenced standards)
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• DHBC Contact Page
• License lookup guide: Kentucky Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Kentucky Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Kentucky hub: Kentucky Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Letcher County Building Permit FAQ

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

New construction, additions, major renovations, occupancy changes, fire protection systems, and any mechanical, electrical, or plumbing work governed by the 2018 Kentucky Building Code or associated trade divisions.

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

The minimum permit fee is $285. Fees are calculated as: Square footage multiplied by occupancy-specific cents-per-square-foot rates (13-16 cents depending on occupancy). Plan check fee: Included within the plan review fee worksheet.

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

1. Contact the local planning or zoning authority to confirm the proposed site is properly zoned before design work begins. 2. Determine whether the project falls under state jurisdiction; Letcher County is under state jurisdiction when no local program is certified. 3. Submit one completed application, fee sheet, and full plan set through SmartGov, including site plans, detailed drawings, fire protection forms, and owner/contractor information. 4. After approvals, schedule the required inspections from the 'Before You Build' checklist, including building, plumbing, electrical, fire suppression, and other trades. 5. Obtain the certificate of occupancy once a final inspection passes.

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

Typical processing time is DHBC does not publish a standard timeline; call (502) 573-0373 for project-specific estimates..

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Division of Building Code Enforcement. Call (502) 573-0373 before visiting to schedule inspections; inspectors prefer pre-booked appointments..