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City building permits

City of Benton

How to apply for a building permit in City of Benton, Kentucky. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

City of Benton Planning & Zoning (Code Enforcement)

Street address
1009 Main Street, Benton, KY 42025
Coverage
Benton Code 155.05 requires a zoning compliance certificate for new construction, alterations, or changes of use inside city limits. The certificate must accompany the Marshall County building permit application.
Online portal
Zoning Compliance Permit (PDF)
Commonwealth of Kentucky (ky.gov) forms PDF download
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Benton

Residential or commercial construction, accessory structures, or change of use within Benton city limits requires a zoning compliance certificate before the county building permit is issued.

Note: No exempt-work list is posted on Benton's form page. Assume any structural change or change of use requires the zoning compliance certificate.

Required documents
  • Completed zoning compliance application
  • Detailed sketch showing all structures on the lot, proposed additions, distances to lot lines, and utilities or streets
  • Fee payment
  • Any additional city-specific information the planner requests
Building code
The city defers to the Marshall County Building Office, which enforces the 2013 Kentucky Building Code and 2013 Kentucky Residential Code.
Permit validity
Not posted publicly; check with the city for local policy.
Owner-builder
The applicant must certify they are the owner or authorized agent in order to proceed.
Contractor requirements
The county building permit form asks for a valid contractor license. Electrical/system contractors should include Kentucky license numbers.
§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Not published; contact Benton City Hall for current review timelines.

  1. 01
    Complete the Zoning Compliance application, identifying the project type (new construction, alteration, or change of use) plus owner, builder, and property information.
  2. 02
    Attach a sketch that shows all structures on the lot, proposed additions, distances to lot lines, and utilities or streets.
  3. 03
    Deliver the packet to City Hall with the $150 compliance fee payable to Benton and any required documentation.
  4. 04
    Note: the application states that the certificate can be revoked if plans change without approval.
  5. 05
    Once the certificate is issued, present it to the Marshall County Building Office when submitting that jurisdiction's building permit.

Typical processing time: Not published; contact Benton City Hall for current review timelines.

Source: City of Benton Planning & Zoning (Code Enforcement) ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Benton building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$150 zoning compliance certificate fee
02
Plan check fee
Handled through the county building permit (plans reviewed with the permit fee).
03
Permit fee formula
Flat fee for the city certificate; the broader building permit follows the county's valuation-based square-foot schedule.
04
Reinspection fee
Charged at the rate listed in Marshall County's 2025 permit cost schedule.

The $150 compliance fee is due with the application and payable to the City of Benton.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • 270-527-4744 (Marshall County Building Office) (phone)
Scheduling deadline
24-hour notice with permit number and site address.
Inspection hours
Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (approximately)

Typical sequence: Footing, foundation, framing, and final inspections are required for residential and commercial projects.

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Benton permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Benton, KY?
Residential or commercial construction, accessory structures, or change of use within Benton city limits requires a zoning compliance certificate before the county building permit is issued.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Benton, KY?
Building permit fees in Benton, KY are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $150 zoning compliance certificate fee. Fees are calculated as: Flat fee for the city certificate; the broader building permit follows the county's valuation-based square-foot schedule.. Plan check fee: Handled through the county building permit (plans reviewed with the permit fee)..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Benton, KY?
To apply for a building permit in Benton, KY, follow these steps: 1. Complete the Zoning Compliance application, identifying the project type (new construction, alteration, or change of use) plus owner, builder, and property information. 2. Attach a sketch that shows all structures on the lot, proposed additions, distances to lot lines, and utilities or streets. 3. Deliver the packet to City Hall with the $150 compliance fee payable to Benton and any required documentation. 4. Note: the application states that the certificate can be revoked if plans change without approval. 5. Once the certificate is issued, present it to the Marshall County Building Office when submitting that jurisdiction's building permit.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Benton, KY?
Building permit processing times in Benton, KY typically run Not published; contact Benton City Hall for current review timelines.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Benton, KY?
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Benton, KY via: 270-527-4744 (Marshall County Building Office). 24-hour notice with permit number and site address..
last verified April 2026 source City of Benton Planning & Zoning (Code Enforcement) ↗ entry id permits/kentucky/marshall/benton

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Benton Planning & Zoning (Code Enforcement) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

§   Adjacent

Other jurisdictions in Marshall County.

Same county, different permit office. Click for that jurisdiction's full guide.

All Marshall County jurisdictions →