McLean County, KY — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

McLean County Joint Planning and Zoning Commission

Street address

McLean County Courthouse, 210 Main Street, P.O. Box 127, Calhoun, KY 42327

Phone

(270) 280-7671

Use the Planning & Zoning contact form labeled Contact Group on the commission page

Coverage

All properties within unincorporated McLean County. The same commission and ordinance cover all of McLean County, including the unincorporated land and the incorporated towns serviced by the joint planning body.

Online portal

Building Permit Application (PDF download)

CivicPlus-hosted county website

Website

Department website

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for McLean County

Any excavation, construction, alteration, moving, or change of use for buildings (including accessory structures) must wait for the zoning administrator's authorization; only recurring maintenance, approved improvements, or agricultural facilities proceed without a permit.

Scope of work

Permit?

Recurring maintenance that does not change the structure's strength or mechanical systems

Exempt

Installation of required improvements per an already approved plan

Exempt

Agricultural facilities as defined in the ordinance

Exempt

Exempt Recurring maintenance that does not change the structure's strength or mechanical systems
Exempt Installation of required improvements per an already approved plan
Exempt Agricultural facilities as defined in the ordinance

Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Planning Commission before proceeding.

Required documents

Completed permit application
Scale plan showing lot dimensions, existing and proposed structures, yards, and parking
County Health Officer certificate for water and sewer approval

Building code: 2018 Kentucky Building Code with Kentucky-specific amendments as provided through DHBC
Permit validity: Permits expire one year after issuance unless substantial progress is demonstrated.
Owner-builder: Published materials do not offer a separate owner-builder path; all applicants submit the same site plan and documentation.
Contractor requirements: Kentucky DHBC licenses cover electrical, plumbing, and HVAC trades and are typically submitted with the plan package.

Source: McLean County Joint Planning and Zoning Commission ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Permits are acted on within two weeks of submission per county ordinance.

01

Download the McLean County Building Permit Application PDF from the Planning & Zoning page.
02

Fill in owner, applicant, and contractor data; mark the work category (new construction, addition, alteration, etc.); attach the scale drawing describing lot dimensions, existing/proposed structures, yards, and parking.
03

Include the County Health Officer's certificate approving water and sewer before submitting.
04

Deliver the full packet with the computed fee to the Planning & Zoning office at 210 Main Street, Calhoun.
05

The Planning Commission chair or designee reviews the application within two weeks, approves or denies, and signs the permit if requirements are met.
06

Notify the chairperson when the structure is ready for occupancy; a final inspection must occur within three days and the Certificate of Occupancy is issued when the structure complies.

Typical processing time: Permits are acted on within two weeks of submission per county ordinance.

Source: McLean County Joint Planning and Zoning Commission ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

McLean County building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

Residential: $0.13 per square foot (capped at $250); Commercial/Industrial: $75 for 0-1,000 sq ft tier

Permit fee formula

Residential: square-foot-based ($0.13/sq ft, max $250). Commercial/Industrial: tiered flat amounts (0-1,000 sf = $75, 1,001-2,000 sf = $150, 2,001-5,000 sf = $225, 5,001-25,000 sf = $300, over 25,000 sf = $450). Certificate of Occupancy bundled with permit cost.

Applicants compute the fee and include payment with the hard-copy submission; no online payment portal is provided.

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

(270) 280-7671 (phone)

Inspection hours: Contact Planning Commission chair or designee during county business hours

Typical sequence: A final inspection is required within three days of notification and must pass before occupancy is granted.

Source: McLean County Joint Planning and Zoning Commission ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated McLean County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated McLean County, KY? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated McLean County, KY? ▸

Building permit fees in unincorporated McLean County, KY are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Residential: $0.13 per square foot (capped at $250); Commercial/Industrial: $75 for 0-1,000 sq ft tier. Fees are calculated as: Residential: square-foot-based ($0.13/sq ft, max $250). Commercial/Industrial: tiered flat amounts (0-1,000 sf = $75, 1,001-2,000 sf = $150, 2,001-5,000 sf = $225, 5,001-25,000 sf = $300, over 25,000 sf = $450). Certificate of Occupancy bundled with permit cost..

03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated McLean County, KY? ▸

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated McLean County, KY, follow these steps: 1. Download the McLean County Building Permit Application PDF from the Planning & Zoning page. 2. Fill in owner, applicant, and contractor data; mark the work category (new construction, addition, alteration, etc.); attach the scale drawing describing lot dimensions, existing/proposed structures, yards, and parking. 3. Include the County Health Officer's certificate approving water and sewer before submitting. 4. Deliver the full packet with the computed fee to the Planning & Zoning office at 210 Main Street, Calhoun. 5. The Planning Commission chair or designee reviews the application within two weeks, approves or denies, and signs the permit if requirements are met. 6. Notify the chairperson when the structure is ready for occupancy; a final inspection must occur within three days and the Certificate of Occupancy is issued when the structure complies.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated McLean County, KY? ▸

Building permit processing times in unincorporated McLean County, KY typically run Permits are acted on within two weeks of submission per county ordinance.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated McLean County, KY? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated McLean County, KY. The following work is generally exempt: Recurring maintenance that does not change the structure's strength or mechanical systems; Installation of required improvements per an already approved plan; Agricultural facilities as defined in the ordinance. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Planning Commission before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated McLean County, KY? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated McLean County, KY via: (270) 280-7671.

last verified April 2026 source McLean County Joint Planning and Zoning Commission ↗ entry id permits/kentucky/mclean/unincorporated

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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with McLean County Joint Planning and Zoning Commission before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Unincorporated McLean County