Unincorporated McCreary County

All new buildings, additions, change of occupancy, alterations, and significant repairs are subject to 815 KAR 7:120 plan review and the 2015 Kentucky Building Code with 2018 amendments, or 815 KAR 7:125 for one- and two-family dwellings.

Note: McCreary County has not published a standalone exempt-work list. Assume new structures, additions, change of use, and most mechanical/plumbing/electrical projects must go through DHBC/county review unless the inspector expressly agrees otherwise. Special inspection requirements do not automatically apply to R-3 occupancies or simple structures lacking complex systems, but those exceptions govern inspection scope rather than the need for a permit. Verify limitations with the inspector.

Building code

2015 International Building Code with 2018 Kentucky amendments statewide. Single-family and townhouse projects follow 815 KAR 7:125.

Permit validity

Permit issuance tied to approved plans and fees. Plan supplements and resubmissions require new fees. Expiration schedule not separately published by McCreary County; property owners must verify timelines with the Judge Executive's office.

Owner-builder

Applications must identify the owner. General erection/construction work does not require a state license.

Contractor requirements

Plumbing, electrical, HVAC, sprinklers/suppression, boilers, elevators, and related specialties require state licenses. State-certified contractors must appear on permit paperwork. General building erection needs no state license but may follow local jurisdiction requirements.

1. 01
   Confirm zoning with the local planning/zoning authority before designing.
2. 02
   Determine whether the project falls under local jurisdiction or state (DHBC) authority.
3. 03
   Contact the McCreary County Judge Executive's office and contracted inspector to document local procedural expectations and obtain the number of printed sets required.
4. 04
   Assemble the application with owner/contractor details, site survey, complete plans, structural/MEP details, and supporting forms per the DHBC plan guide.
5. 05
   Upload one set of completed plans, the fee worksheet, and supplemental shop drawings to SmartGov; local authority may require additional paper copies after submission.
6. 06
   Obtain plan approval from DHBC and local authorities.
7. 07
   Schedule field inspections through the county inspector once plans are approved.
8. 08
   Pass rough, specialty, and final inspections (including electrical sign-off) before occupancy paperwork is issued.

Typical processing time: No published fixed turnaround; standard timing determined case by case by the local inspector. DHBC offers one-week fast-track review with 50% surcharge.

Source: McCreary County Fiscal Court – Building & Electrical Inspections ↗

Inspection and permit fees paid to the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction are typically remitted to the Kentucky State Treasurer.

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

• 606-875-7444 (Inspector Dennis Crist) (phone)

Inspection hours

Monday 8:00 AM–9:00 AM EST; call for other windows or to confirm same-day slots

Typical sequence: Submit plans via SmartGov, wait for DHBC/local review, then pass rough/mechanical/final inspections (including electrical) before inspector signs off on occupancy.