City of Sardis (Robertson County portion)

Section 105.1 requires permits for any owner or owner's authorized agent planning to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, change occupancy, or install regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems.

• Exempt One-story detached accessory structures up to 120 square feet
• Exempt Fences under seven feet
• Exempt Retaining walls under four feet
• Exempt Water tanks no larger than 5,000 gallons with height-to-width ratios of 2:1 or less
• Exempt Sidewalks/drives not more than 30 inches above grade
• Exempt Finish work such as painting/cabinets
• Exempt Temporary theater sets
• Exempt Tents up to 400 square feet
• Exempt Agricultural shade cloth
• Exempt Playground swings
• Exempt Limited awnings and non-fixed fixtures or partitions
• Exempt Electrical: minor repairs (lamp replacements, portable equipment hookups), radio/television transmitter equipment (excluding supply wiring), temporary testing systems
• Exempt Gas/mechanical: portable heating, ventilation, and cooling units, piping inside regulated equipment, part replacements that do not alter approvals, portable evaporative coolers, small self-contained refrigeration systems
• Exempt Plumbing: stopping leaks, clearing stoppages, reinstalling fixtures without replacing valves or pipes

Note: Confirm exempt work status with the appropriate county building department before proceeding.

Building code

2018 Kentucky Building Code (based on 2015 International Building Code) and 2018 Kentucky Residential Code (based on 2015 IRC), plus 2015 IMC, 2015 IFC, 2012/2009 IECC, and NFPA standards

Permit validity

Applicants should contact the building official (Mason County or DHBC) for the applicable validity period or expiration.

Owner-builder

The owner or owner's authorized agent must apply for the permit and request the final inspection, taking responsibility for correcting deficiencies noted at inspection before a certificate of occupancy is issued.

Contractor requirements

General construction does not require a state license. Trades such as plumbing, electrical, HVAC, fire suppression, elevators, and boilers must be licensed by the respective county or DHBC before performing work.

Source: Mason County Building Department (local inspector Gary Wells) and Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Division of Building Codes Enforcement (DHBC) ↗

1. 01
   Contact Mason County or the local planning/zoning authority to verify that the proposed site is properly zoned.
2. 02
   Confirm jurisdiction with Mason County (local) or DHBC, as the city crosses two counties.
3. 03
   Call or email the Division of Building Codes Enforcement at (502) 573-0373 or HBC.plans@ky.gov to understand required documentation.
4. 04
   Submit the completed application, fee sheet, plan review worksheet, and all construction documents through SmartGov. Corrected sheets may be emailed to HBC.plans@ky.gov.
5. 05
   After plan approval and fee payment, schedule the required inspections with the appropriate county inspector, request the final inspection, and obtain a certificate of occupancy once work complies with approved documents.

Typical processing time: Contact (502) 573-0373 or (606) 564-9419 for current review timelines.

Source: Mason County Building Department (local inspector Gary Wells) and Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Division of Building Codes Enforcement (DHBC) ↗

Fees are payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer, with project name and location noted on check or SmartGov payment; amounts rounded to nearest dollar

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

• (606) 564-9419 (Gary Wells, Mason County local inspector) (phone)
• (502) 573-0373 (DHBC) (phone)
• Mason County Health Department, 130 East Second Street, Maysville, KY 41056 (in-person)

Scheduling deadline

Call ahead before visiting inspectors or offices to ensure availability.

Inspection hours

DHBC offices: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST. Coordinate with Mason County for local inspection hours.

Typical sequence: After plan approval the owner or agent requests a final inspection. The building official schedules it and issues the certificate of occupancy if the work complies. The official coordinates with the fire code official plus any required special inspections. Coordinate with Mason County or DHBC staff to confirm the correct inspector for each trade.

Source: Mason County Building Department (local inspector Gary Wells) and Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, Division of Building Codes Enforcement (DHBC) ↗