On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Madison County
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.
Certain agricultural buildings located on qualified farms
- Exempt 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
- Building code
- 2013 Kentucky Residential Code, 2013 Kentucky Building Code, 2014 National Electric Code, and 2009 International Energy Conservation Code
- Permit validity
- Not clearly stated in the reviewed county permit pages or inspection packet.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Not clearly stated in the reviewed county permit pages.
- 01 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.
- 02 Open the county Applications and Regulations page and select the applicable online permit form for building, electrical, or mechanical work.
- 03 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.
- 04 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.
- 05 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.
- 06 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.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective 2023
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$50
02
Plan check fee
No separate county plan-review fee was clearly published in the reviewed county fee schedule.
03
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.
04
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.
The reviewed county fee schedule did not clearly publish accepted payment methods or online payment notes.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2023) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 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.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Madison County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Madison County, KY? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Madison County, KY are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, KY? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, KY, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Madison County, KY? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Madison County, KY typically run Not clearly stated in the reviewed county permit pages.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Madison County, KY? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Madison County, KY. The following work is generally exempt: Certain agricultural buildings located on qualified farms. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Madison County, KY? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Madison County, KY via: 859-624-4780. All inspections must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance..
last verified April 2026
source Madison County Planning and Development ↗
entry id permits/kentucky/madison/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Madison County Planning and Development before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.