County Building Permits
Ohio County, KY - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Ohio County, Kentucky. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
No local building inspector is listed; DHBC state inspectors handle unincorporated plan review and enforcement.
- Department
- Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings & Construction - State Building Inspector
- Address
- Ohio County Health Department, 1336 Clay Street, Hartford, KY 42347
- Phone
- 270-662-9038
- travis.albin@ky.gov
- Website
- https://dhbc.ky.gov/
Application Process
- Call the state inspector or email Travis.Albin@ky.gov to describe the project and request the building permit checklist.
- Submit scaled plans, structural details, and utility/health approvals as required by the Kentucky Building Code.
- Respond to any reviewer comments, pay the permit fee, and coordinate inspections with the assigned trade inspectors.
- After inspections, receive the state-issued Certificate of Occupancy before occupying the building.
Typical processing time: Not posted; the state inspector determines timing.
Source: Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings & Construction - State Building Inspector
General Requirements
All new construction, alterations, and site work under the Kentucky Building Code require a state building permit.
Required Documents
- Scaled plans
- Structural data
- Water/sewer or health approvals
- Permit validity
- One-year validity unless extended.
- Building code
- Kentucky Building Code through DHBC
- Owner-builder
- Follow DHBC policies and any agreements with the inspector.
- Contractor requirements
- DHBC licenses/certifications for trades.
Fees
- Plan check fee
- Included in the building permit review; confirm with the inspector.
- Permit fee formula
- Valuation-based through DHBC's review process.
- Penalty (no permit)
- Follow the DHBC enforcement schedule for Class B misdemeanor penalties.
- Payment note
- Handled directly with the state inspector; no online portal is referenced. The inspector provides amounts during review.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings & Construction - State Building Inspector to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- State Inspector - 270-662-9038 (phone)
- travis.albin@ky.gov (email)
- Inspection hours
- Office hours are Fridays 8-9 a.m. CST and by arrangement.
Typical inspection sequence: Plan review, inspections, and CO issuance.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Kentucky Building Code through DHBC
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings & Construction
- 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 Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings & Construction - State Building Inspector before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ohio County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Ohio County, KY?
- All new construction, alterations, and site work under the Kentucky Building Code require a state building permit.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Ohio County, KY?
- Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based through DHBC's review process.. Plan check fee: Included in the building permit review; confirm with the inspector..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Ohio County, KY?
- 1. Call the state inspector or email Travis.Albin@ky.gov to describe the project and request the building permit checklist. 2. Submit scaled plans, structural details, and utility/health approvals as required by the Kentucky Building Code. 3. Respond to any reviewer comments, pay the permit fee, and coordinate inspections with the assigned trade inspectors. 4. After inspections, receive the state-issued Certificate of Occupancy before occupying the building.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Ohio County, KY?
- Typical processing time is Not posted; the state inspector determines timing..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Ohio County, KY?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: State Inspector - 270-662-9038, travis.albin@ky.gov.
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