How much does a building permit cost in Harrodsburg, KY?

The minimum permit fee is $75. Fees are calculated as: Residential building permits $0.20 per sq ft (includes living space, decks, porches, garages, accessory buildings). Commercial $0.26 per sq ft of the main floor. Manufactured home zoning-only $0.10 per sq ft. Sign permit $100. Demolition permit $100. Commercial zoning permits tied to building footprint at $0.12 per sq ft. Renovation of existing commercial building of same use group $50. Change of use $0.14 per sq ft..

How do I apply for a building permit in Harrodsburg, KY?

1. Submit a completed application and supporting documentation so planning staff can verify setbacks, uses, and placement before forwarding to the building inspector. 2. The administrative official reviews the package within ten days of receiving all required documentation, collects the fees, and sends the file to the building inspector for plan and flood-plain review. 3. The building inspector completes the construction and flood-plain review, approves the permit, and issues a laminated permit that must be displayed on the property. Flood-plain work also requires state Division of Water permits before issuance.

What work is exempt from building permits in Harrodsburg, KY?

The following work is generally exempt: Concrete patios and driveways; Fences under six feet in height; Agricultural structures on tracts larger than 10 acres (excluding the principal dwelling).

How do I schedule a building inspection in Harrodsburg, KY?

Inspections can be scheduled via: (859) 734-3375 x102.

City Building Permits

Harrodsburg, KY - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Kentucky Mercer County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

The joint office manages Harrodsburg and the county through a joint planning agreement with the Greater Harrodsburg/Mercer County Joint Planning & Zoning Commission.

Department: Harrodsburg/Mercer County Joint Planning & Zoning Commission, Building Inspection
Address: 109 Short St., Harrodsburg, KY 40330
Phone: (859) 734-3375 x102
Email: buildinginspector@mercerky.com
Website: https://mercercounty.ky.gov/departments/Pages/Building-Inspection.aspx

Online Permit Portal

Open Building Inspection

Platform: PDF download with staff-managed intake • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Ordinances & Forms

Application Process

Submit a completed application and supporting documentation so planning staff can verify setbacks, uses, and placement before forwarding to the building inspector.
The administrative official reviews the package within ten days of receiving all required documentation, collects the fees, and sends the file to the building inspector for plan and flood-plain review.
The building inspector completes the construction and flood-plain review, approves the permit, and issues a laminated permit that must be displayed on the property. Flood-plain work also requires state Division of Water permits before issuance.

Typical processing time: Administrative review within ten days of a complete application. Plan reviews conducted in the mornings and field inspections in the afternoons.

Source: Harrodsburg/Mercer County Joint Planning & Zoning Commission, Building Inspection

General Requirements

Zoning ordinances and the building code require permits for virtually every structure on a property, including homes, duplexes, manufactured homes, commercial buildings, additions, decks, garages, docks, gazebos, pools, renovations, accessory structures over 200 sq ft, and occupancy changes.

Required Documents

Copy of deed or ownership
Construction plans
Signed truss plans
PVA building information sheet
Subdivision plat or site plan (if available)
Contractor certificate of insurance
Affidavit of Exemption
Paid sewer/water tap receipts (inside city)
City business license (inside Harrodsburg)

Permit validity: Permits expire after twelve months unless substantial progress is made. Non-transferable and voided after six months of suspension or abandonment.
Building code: Kentucky building codes as called out in the Harrodsburg zoning ordinance.
Owner-builder: The examiner provides an Affidavit of Exemption to owner-builders, but owners must still present the required documentation.
Contractor requirements: Contractors must produce a certificate of insurance. Harrodsburg contractors must provide a city business license. County work outside the city requires a septic evaluation.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $75
Permit fee formula: Residential building permits $0.20 per sq ft (includes living space, decks, porches, garages, accessory buildings). Commercial $0.26 per sq ft of the main floor. Manufactured home zoning-only $0.10 per sq ft. Sign permit $100. Demolition permit $100. Commercial zoning permits tied to building footprint at $0.12 per sq ft. Renovation of existing commercial building of same use group $50. Change of use $0.14 per sq ft.
Penalty (no permit): 100% of the required permit fee in addition to the standard fee for starting construction before a permit is obtained.
Payment note: All fees must be paid when the application is filed at City Hall.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Concrete patios and driveways
Fences under six feet in height
Agricultural structures on tracts larger than 10 acres (excluding the principal dwelling)

Inspections

How to Schedule

(859) 734-3375 x102 (phone)

Inspection hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: Footer, foundation, framing (after plumbing, electrical, HVAC rough-ins), insulation, and final. Zoning enforcement conducts setback and final-use inspections without appointments.

Additional Resources

Building code: Kentucky building codes as called out in the Harrodsburg zoning ordinance.
Zoning information: View zoning info
Ordinances & Forms
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 Harrodsburg/Mercer County Joint Planning & Zoning Commission, Building Inspection before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Harrodsburg Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Harrodsburg, KY?: Zoning ordinances and the building code require permits for virtually every structure on a property, including homes, duplexes, manufactured homes, commercial buildings, additions, decks, garages, docks, gazebos, pools, renovations, accessory structures over 200 sq ft, and occupancy changes.
How much does a building permit cost in Harrodsburg, KY?: The minimum permit fee is $75. Fees are calculated as: Residential building permits $0.20 per sq ft (includes living space, decks, porches, garages, accessory buildings). Commercial $0.26 per sq ft of the main floor. Manufactured home zoning-only $0.10 per sq ft. Sign permit $100. Demolition permit $100. Commercial zoning permits tied to building footprint at $0.12 per sq ft. Renovation of existing commercial building of same use group $50. Change of use $0.14 per sq ft..
How do I apply for a building permit in Harrodsburg, KY?: 1. Submit a completed application and supporting documentation so planning staff can verify setbacks, uses, and placement before forwarding to the building inspector. 2. The administrative official reviews the package within ten days of receiving all required documentation, collects the fees, and sends the file to the building inspector for plan and flood-plain review. 3. The building inspector completes the construction and flood-plain review, approves the permit, and issues a laminated permit that must be displayed on the property. Flood-plain work also requires state Division of Water permits before issuance.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Harrodsburg, KY?: Typical processing time is Administrative review within ten days of a complete application. Plan reviews conducted in the mornings and field inspections in the afternoons..
What work is exempt from building permits in Harrodsburg, KY?: The following work is generally exempt: Concrete patios and driveways; Fences under six feet in height; Agricultural structures on tracts larger than 10 acres (excluding the principal dwelling).
How do I schedule a building inspection in Harrodsburg, KY?: Inspections can be scheduled via: (859) 734-3375 x102.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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