County Building Permits
Muhlenberg County, KY - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All unincorporated properties within Muhlenberg County; the county building inspector also administers permits for incorporated cities.
- Department
- Muhlenberg County Community Development
- Address
- Judge Executive Office, 100 South Main Street, Greenville, KY 42345; Muhlenberg County Health Department, 105 Legion Drive, Central City, KY 42330
- Phone
- (270) 338-2520 (general); (270) 339-4188 (building inspector)
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Pennyrile Area Development District Online Toolbox • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Call Muhlenberg County Community Development at (270) 886-9484 to describe the proposed work and confirm required permits.
- Prepare a complete plan submission following the DHBC plan-review checklist: site plan/survey, building elevations, structural details, accessibility notes, door/window schedules, finish schedules, specifications, fire-rated assembly documentation, energy compliance calculations, geotechnical data, specialty shop drawings, and the Affidavit of Assurances.
- Submit plans, supporting documentation, and the plan-review fee (calculated by occupancy/area with a $285 minimum) to the county building department.
- County building department routes the package to state or local inspectors under the Kentucky Uniform Building Code.
- After plan approval (typically 30-60 days for new commercial construction), pay applicable permit fees, schedule inspections, and secure the permit before beginning construction.
Typical processing time: 30-60 days for new commercial construction
General Requirements
Any new structure, addition, structural alteration, change of occupancy, or mechanical/electrical/plumbing work that falls under the Kentucky Uniform Building Code must be permitted.
Required Documents
- Site plan/survey
- Complete building plans
- Structural sections and details
- Door/window schedules
- Finish schedules
- Specifications
- Fire-rated assembly documentation
- Energy compliance calculations (COMcheck/REScheck)
- Geotechnical investigations (where required)
- Specialty shop drawings
- Completed plan application and Affidavit of Assurances
- Permit validity
- Confirm permit expiration terms with Muhlenberg County Community Development at time of issue.
- Building code
- Kentucky Uniform Building Code (KRS 198B)
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builders must still submit the Affidavit of Assurances and all applicable plans in accordance with the DHBC checklist.
- Contractor requirements
- Professional design services must comply with KRS 322/323; architects and engineers must be registered for projects exceeding thresholds in Table 122.1. Licensed contractors are expected on mechanical/electrical/plumbing work.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $285
- Plan check fee
- Plan-review fee with supplemental fees for specialized systems (sprinklers, detection, hoods, suppression)
- Permit fee formula
- Plan-review fees calculated by multiplying building area by occupancy-specific cost-per-square-foot multipliers; additions/alterations use area or cost-based formulas per Sections 121.3.5-121.3.9
- Reinspection fee
- Local building department can add permit or reinspection fees when inspections or amendments require extra work
- Payment note
- DHBC's SmartGov portal charges a $1 flat fee for ACH payments; checks accepted for in-person payments
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Muhlenberg County Community Development to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (270) 339-4188 (Pat Rhodes, local building inspector) (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Wednesdays 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM at Muhlenberg County Health Department; other times by phone appointment
Typical inspection sequence: After footing/foundation review, framing and structural inspections occur, followed by mechanical/electrical/plumbing approvals and required electrical inspector sign-off before legal occupancy.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Kentucky Uniform Building Code (KRS 198B)
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Kentucky DHBC SmartGov Portal
- 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 Muhlenberg County Community Development before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Muhlenberg County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Muhlenberg County, KY?
- Any new structure, addition, structural alteration, change of occupancy, or mechanical/electrical/plumbing work that falls under the Kentucky Uniform Building Code must be permitted.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Muhlenberg County, KY?
- The minimum permit fee is $285. Fees are calculated as: Plan-review fees calculated by multiplying building area by occupancy-specific cost-per-square-foot multipliers; additions/alterations use area or cost-based formulas per Sections 121.3.5-121.3.9. Plan check fee: Plan-review fee with supplemental fees for specialized systems (sprinklers, detection, hoods, suppression).
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Muhlenberg County, KY?
- 1. Call Muhlenberg County Community Development at (270) 886-9484 to describe the proposed work and confirm required permits. 2. Prepare a complete plan submission following the DHBC plan-review checklist: site plan/survey, building elevations, structural details, accessibility notes, door/window schedules, finish schedules, specifications, fire-rated assembly documentation, energy compliance calculations, geotechnical data, specialty shop drawings, and the Affidavit of Assurances. 3. Submit plans, supporting documentation, and the plan-review fee (calculated by occupancy/area with a $285 minimum) to the county building department. 4. County building department routes the package to state or local inspectors under the Kentucky Uniform Building Code. 5. After plan approval (typically 30-60 days for new commercial construction), pay applicable permit fees, schedule inspections, and secure the permit before beginning construction.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Muhlenberg County, KY?
- Typical processing time is 30-60 days for new commercial construction.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Muhlenberg County, KY?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (270) 339-4188 (Pat Rhodes, local building inspector).
Need help with your project?
Navigating permits in Muhlenberg County can be complicated.
Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.
Learn how Jaspector works