County Building Permits
Lewis County, KY - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lewis County, Kentucky. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated areas of Lewis County where no local building inspector is appointed.
- Department
- Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC)
- Address
- 112 Second St., Rm. 201, Vanceburg, KY 41179
- Phone
- 606-359-6397
- wade.trimble@ky.gov
- Website
- https://dhbc.ky.gov
Application Process
- Call or email Wade Trimble (state building inspector) to confirm the scope of required permits.
- Coordinate with the Lewis County Judge Executive's office to route documentation to DHBC.
- Provide the requested documentation (plans, insurance certifications, subcontractor list, trade scope) and permit fee to the inspector.
- Receive the permit once DHBC approves the submission and schedule the listed inspections with the trade inspectors before beginning work.
Typical processing time: Not published; applicants must work directly with the state inspector for timing.
Source: Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC)
General Requirements
A building permit is required for any construction, reconstruction, remodel, or alteration under KRS 67.410.
Required Documents
- Site, floor, cross section, and floor framing plans
- Owner/contractor information and owner authorization (if applicant is not owner)
- Estimated construction cost
- Subcontractor rosters
- Insurance certifications (workers' compensation and unemployment insurance)
- Permit validity
- Not published; confirm with the state inspector.
- Building code
- International Residential Code and Kentucky Residential Code for one- and two-family dwellings.
- Owner-builder
- Owner authorization must be signed whenever the applicant is not the owner.
- Contractor requirements
- All contractors must meet state requirements from KRS 198B.060 and KRS 342 for worker's compensation and unemployment insurance. Subcontractor roster changes must be reported to DHBC before construction begins.
Fees
- Payment note
- Permit fee must accompany the application. Contact the state inspector or Judge Executive's office for payment methods.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Wade Trimble (State Building Inspector) (phone)
- wade.trimble@ky.gov (email)
- Inspection hours
- Tuesday 8:00–9:30 a.m. EST at Lewis County Health Department
Typical inspection sequence: Inspection duties are divided across HVAC, plumbing, elevator, and boiler inspectors listed on the DHBC contact sheet. Coordinate with each as directed.
Additional Resources
- Building code: International Residential Code and Kentucky Residential Code for one- and two-family dwellings.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- DHBC Lewis County Contact Sheet
- Lewis County Government
- 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 Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC) before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lewis County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Lewis County, KY?
- A building permit is required for any construction, reconstruction, remodel, or alteration under KRS 67.410.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Lewis County, KY?
- 1. Call or email Wade Trimble (state building inspector) to confirm the scope of required permits. 2. Coordinate with the Lewis County Judge Executive's office to route documentation to DHBC. 3. Provide the requested documentation (plans, insurance certifications, subcontractor list, trade scope) and permit fee to the inspector. 4. Receive the permit once DHBC approves the submission and schedule the listed inspections with the trade inspectors before beginning work.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Lewis County, KY?
- Typical processing time is Not published; applicants must work directly with the state inspector for timing..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Lewis County, KY?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Wade Trimble (State Building Inspector), wade.trimble@ky.gov.
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