Owsley County, KY — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings & Construction (DHBC), Division of Building Code Enforcement

Street address

Owsley County Health Department, 501 KY Highway 28, Booneville, KY 41314

Phone

(859) 358-4467

alison.joyce@ky.gov

Coverage

Covers all unincorporated areas of Owsley County (e.g., Arnett, Blake, Conkling, Cow Creek, Lerose, Levi, and other communities). Owsley County has no local building inspector; the state inspector provides all review and inspections.

Online portal

Kentucky DHBC eServices

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Owsley County

DHBC enforces the 2018 Kentucky Building Code and 2018 Kentucky Residential Code. A plumbing installation permit is required for almost any water/sewer fixture, service, or water heater mentioned in the plumbing law.

Note: DHBC's plumbing law outlines items that require a permit, with no broad exempt-work list available online; check with DHBC before assuming a project is exempt.

Required documents

Plan submissions following the DHBC Plan Review Fee Schedule
Trade-specific application (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, etc.) as identified by the inspector

Building code: 2018 Kentucky Building Code and 2018 Kentucky Residential Code (mandatory mini/maxi codes derived from 2015 IBC/IRC with Kentucky amendments)
Permit validity: Not detailed online for the county; verify term and expiration directly with the state inspector.
Owner-builder: General erection/construction work has no state license requirement, but owner-builders must still use licensed electricians, plumbers, and HVAC/mechanical contractors when those trades are involved.
Contractor requirements: DHBC licenses/certifies electricians, plumbers, boiler/HVAC, fire protection, and elevator contractors. Those trades must be engaged where applicable.

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Simple residential permits often issue within 1–3 weeks; commercial projects requiring full plan review can take 3–8 weeks. Confirm with the inspector.

01

Contact the DHBC inspector for Owsley County (Alison Joyce) to confirm permit triggers, submit project data, and learn which forms apply.
02

Complete the appropriate DHBC plan-review application(s) (refer to the Plan Review Fee Schedule page) and assemble required attachments.
03

Submit the packet with the applicable DHBC fees (electrical, plumbing, elevator, etc.) through the DHBC portal or by following the payment instructions on the invoice.
04

After DHBC issues the permit, schedule inspections with Alison Joyce using the contact details provided.

Typical processing time: Simple residential permits often issue within 1–3 weeks; commercial projects requiring full plan review can take 3–8 weeks. Confirm with the inspector.

Source: Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings & Construction (DHBC), Division of Building Code Enforcement ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Owsley County building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

Plumbing: $50 plus $14 per opening for one- and two-family units; Electrical under $8,000: $125

Plan check fee

Listed on the DHBC Plan Review Fee Schedule page for each trade and project type

Permit fee formula

Plumbing fees add a flat amount per opening/service; electrical permits over $25,000 use a percentage (2.0% down to 1.0%) of the complete value

Reinspection fee

Elevator permits include two inspections (final and supplemental) at no extra cost; any additional inspections are billed at the original permit fee. Inquire for other reinspection policies.

DHBC's main site explains how to purchase a permit via the portal and highlights the license portal needed for tracking payments and renewals.

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

(859) 358-4467 — Alison Joyce (phone)
alison.joyce@ky.gov (email)

Inspection hours: Wednesday office hours: 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EST

Typical sequence: DHBC plan review leads into required inspections (electrical/plumbing permits include the plan review and field inspection; elevator permits include two inspections by default).

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Owsley County permits

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

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

Building permit fees in unincorporated Owsley County, KY are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Plumbing: $50 plus $14 per opening for one- and two-family units; Electrical under $8,000: $125. Fees are calculated as: Plumbing fees add a flat amount per opening/service; electrical permits over $25,000 use a percentage (2.0% down to 1.0%) of the complete value. Plan check fee: Listed on the DHBC Plan Review Fee Schedule page for each trade and project type.

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

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Owsley County, KY, follow these steps: 1. Contact the DHBC inspector for Owsley County (Alison Joyce) to confirm permit triggers, submit project data, and learn which forms apply. 2. Complete the appropriate DHBC plan-review application(s) (refer to the Plan Review Fee Schedule page) and assemble required attachments. 3. Submit the packet with the applicable DHBC fees (electrical, plumbing, elevator, etc.) through the DHBC portal or by following the payment instructions on the invoice. 4. After DHBC issues the permit, schedule inspections with Alison Joyce using the contact details provided.

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

Building permit processing times in unincorporated Owsley County, KY typically run Simple residential permits often issue within 1–3 weeks; commercial projects requiring full plan review can take 3–8 weeks. Confirm with the inspector.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Owsley County, KY? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Owsley County, KY via: (859) 358-4467 — Alison Joyce, alison.joyce@ky.gov.

last verified April 2026 source Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings & Construction (DHBC), Division of Building Code Enforcement ↗ entry id permits/kentucky/owsley/unincorporated

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings & Construction (DHBC), Division of Building Code Enforcement before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Unincorporated Owsley County