County Building Permits
Madison County, KY - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, Kentucky. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
The Planning and Development page states the department enforces the Kentucky Building and Residential Codes and National Electric Code for buildings and structures in Madison County, excluding Richmond and Berea.
- Department
- Madison County Planning and Development
- Address
- 135 W Irvine Street, 3rd Floor, Richmond, KY 40475
- Phone
- 859-624-4780
Online Permit Portal
Platform: GlobalForms • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Confirm the property is in county jurisdiction rather than Richmond or Berea. The county Planning and Development page expressly serves Madison County excluding those two cities.
- Open the county Applications and Regulations page and select the applicable online permit form for building, electrical, or mechanical work.
- Submit the required construction documents. The county inspection packet says the construction documents submitted to obtain the permit are the official documents and must be followed, with corrected copies required for any approved changes.
- Coordinate any related outside approvals required for the project. The county inspection packet references final electrical, plumbing, septic, termite, insulation, and HVAC documentation before occupancy.
- After permit issuance, notify the building official to schedule required inspections at least 24 hours in advance and before moving to the next phase of work or concealing elements.
- Complete final inspection and obtain the certificate of occupancy before occupying the structure.
Typical processing time: Not clearly stated in the reviewed county permit pages.
General Requirements
The county permit page says Kentucky building, electrical, and mechanical codes require permits for construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, removal, and demolition of buildings and structures, except certain agricultural buildings located on qualified farms.
Required Documents
- Permit application
- Construction documents and plans
- Corrected plan copies for any changes
- Truss specs, LVL specs, steel beam specs, engineer designs (at inspection stages)
- Final electrical approval
- Final plumbing approval
- Final septic approval
- Insulation certificate
- Termite treatment certificate
- Final HVAC inspection
- Permit validity
- Not clearly stated in the reviewed county permit pages or inspection packet.
- Building code
- 2013 Kentucky Residential Code, 2013 Kentucky Building Code, 2014 National Electric Code, and 2009 International Energy Conservation Code
- Owner-builder
- The county packet says any owner or authorized agent may apply for the required permit.
- Contractor requirements
- Not clearly stated in the reviewed county permit pages. Trade work remains subject to the applicable Kentucky code and licensing framework.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $50
- Plan check fee
- No separate county plan-review fee was clearly published in the reviewed county fee schedule.
- Permit fee formula
- Building permits are valuation based: $50 from $100 to $2,000; $50 plus $5 per additional $1,000 up to $15,000; $104 plus $4 per additional $1,000 up to $50,000; $244 plus $3.50 per additional $1,000 up to $100,000; $380 plus $2.25 per additional $1,000 up to $500,000; $1,280 plus $1.75 per additional $1,000 over $500,000.
- Reinspection fee
- Building permit fee is doubled if work starts without first obtaining the permit. Electrical miscellaneous trip charges are $100 per trip for items not covered above, and $150 per trip for commercial projects not otherwise covered.
- Payment note
- The reviewed county fee schedule did not clearly publish accepted payment methods or online payment notes.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2023).
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Madison County Planning and Development to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 859-624-4780 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- All inspections must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Typical inspection sequence: Footing; foundation; floor or slab; envelope; air barrier; rough-in mechanical; framing; insulation; final. The packet also requires related final trade and septic approvals before occupancy.
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2013 Kentucky Residential Code, 2013 Kentucky Building Code, 2014 National Electric Code, and 2009 International Energy Conservation Code
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Floodplain Information
- Madison County GIS Map
- Kentucky League of Cities Directory
- 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 Madison County Planning and Development before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Madison County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, KY?
- The county permit page says Kentucky building, electrical, and mechanical codes require permits for construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, removal, and demolition of buildings and structures, except certain agricultural buildings located on qualified farms.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Madison County, KY?
- The minimum permit fee is $50. Fees are calculated as: Building permits are valuation based: $50 from $100 to $2,000; $50 plus $5 per additional $1,000 up to $15,000; $104 plus $4 per additional $1,000 up to $50,000; $244 plus $3.50 per additional $1,000 up to $100,000; $380 plus $2.25 per additional $1,000 up to $500,000; $1,280 plus $1.75 per additional $1,000 over $500,000.. Plan check fee: No separate county plan-review fee was clearly published in the reviewed county fee schedule..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, KY?
- 1. Confirm the property is in county jurisdiction rather than Richmond or Berea. The county Planning and Development page expressly serves Madison County excluding those two cities. 2. Open the county Applications and Regulations page and select the applicable online permit form for building, electrical, or mechanical work. 3. Submit the required construction documents. The county inspection packet says the construction documents submitted to obtain the permit are the official documents and must be followed, with corrected copies required for any approved changes. 4. Coordinate any related outside approvals required for the project. The county inspection packet references final electrical, plumbing, septic, termite, insulation, and HVAC documentation before occupancy. 5. After permit issuance, notify the building official to schedule required inspections at least 24 hours in advance and before moving to the next phase of work or concealing elements. 6. Complete final inspection and obtain the certificate of occupancy before occupying the structure.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, KY?
- Typical processing time is Not clearly stated in the reviewed county permit pages..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Madison County, KY?
- The following work is generally exempt: Certain agricultural buildings located on qualified farms.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Madison County, KY?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: 859-624-4780. All inspections must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance..
Need help with your project?
Navigating permits in Madison County (Unincorporated Area) can be complicated.
Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.
Learn how Jaspector works