Unincorporated Scott County

Excavation, construction, moving, or alteration (including accessory buildings) and the installation of permanent electrical, plumbing, or fuel connections must wait until the Building Inspector issues a permit.

• Exempt Local public utility distributing and collecting structures such as pipes, transmission lines, transformers, and meters
• Exempt Public streets and necessary appurtenances for traffic control (signs must meet the Kentucky Department of Highways code)
• Exempt Private drives, private parking areas, and parking incident to the principal use on the same premises
• Exempt Horticulture, landscaping, and normal accessory fences
• Exempt Agricultural structures other than dwelling units in A-1 or C-1 districts
• Exempt Recurring maintenance work and subdivision-imposed improvements

Building code

Kentucky Building Code and Kentucky Residential Code

Permit validity

A permit becomes void six months after issuance unless substantial progress has been made, but it can be renewed before it lapses.

Owner-builder

The standard application lets the applicant check Owner, Contractor, or Both and requires a signed acknowledgement that the information and construction documents are accurate, so owner-builders must meet the same documentation and affidavit requirements as contractors.

Contractor requirements

Contractors must submit proof of insurance, workers compensation, and affidavits on the application. The local office coordinates with the DHBC state inspectors for building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and manufactured housing work.

1. 01
   Pick the appropriate residential, commercial, or specialty PDF from the Forms & Applications list and fill in all applicant/contractor information, structure dimensions, construction cost, and the certification that a complete set of construction documents is included.
2. 02
   Assemble the supporting materials required by the zoning ordinance: scaled plans showing the lot dimensions, existing structures, yard depths, required screening, and a County Health Officer certificate approving water and sewage when applicable.
3. 03
   Submit the application, drawings, and fees (fast-track option doubles the fee for residential/sign projects); the building inspection staff plan reviews the package for compliance with the Kentucky codes, zoning ordinance, and local policies, then issues the permit after those submittals are approved.
4. 04
   After the plan review clears, the permit is issued, and the job can proceed; major revisions trigger an additional plan-review fee and the office retains a permanent file of the approval.

Typical processing time: The enforcement officer is required to act on permit applications within ten days of submission.

Source: Georgetown / Scott County Building Inspection Department ↗

Permits issue only after the application, drawings, and payment are approved. Fees can be refunded at 60% prior to the first inspection; after that point all fees are nonrefundable.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective July 1, 2025) before budgeting.

• 502-863-9802 (phone)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm, closing for lunch from noon to 1:30 pm

Typical sequence: Standard inspections cover footing, foundation, slab, framing, insulation, and final; the first inspection of each type is included in the permit fee.