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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Shelby County
Any owner or authorized agent proposing to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, change occupancy, or install/modify electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems must apply before starting work.
One-story detached accessory structures under 120 sq ft
Fences under 7 ft
Oil derricks
Low retaining walls
Small water tanks
Low sidewalks/driveways
Finish work (painting/papering/cabinets)
Temporary motion picture sets
Tents under 400 sq ft
Shade cloth structures for agriculture
Playground equipment
Small window awnings
Non-fixed fixtures
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures under 120 sq ft
- Exempt Fences under 7 ft
- Exempt Oil derricks
- Exempt Low retaining walls
- Exempt Small water tanks
- Exempt Low sidewalks/driveways
- Exempt Finish work (painting/papering/cabinets)
- Exempt Temporary motion picture sets
- Exempt Tents under 400 sq ft
- Exempt Shade cloth structures for agriculture
- Exempt Playground equipment
- Exempt Small window awnings
- Exempt Non-fixed fixtures
Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from other regulatory requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Building Inspector before proceeding.
Required documents
- Physical address
- Zoning permit
- Scaled site plan with setbacks/floodplain info
- Site evaluation (septic)
- Sewer/drainage permits
- Full plan set showing existing and new conditions
- Building code
- Kentucky Building Code and Kentucky Residential Code (County Ordinance §150)
- Owner-builder
- Residential plans may be drawn by anyone with basic drafting skills, allowing owner-builders to submit their own plans.
- Contractor requirements
- Specialty electrical, plumbing, and HVAC inspections are handled through the State Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, implying licensed trades must perform that work.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Determine applicable driveway permitting agency (Shelby County Road Department, City of Shelbyville Public Works, or Kentucky DOT) and secure approval before grading.
- 02 Obtain septic or sewer permits from Shelby County Environmental Office, Shelbyville Water & Sewer, or Simpsonville Sewer Commission before applying for a building permit.
- 03 File a zoning permit with Triple S Planning & Zoning, submitting a scaled site plan, setbacks, floodplain info, and plan sets.
- 04 Apply to the Shelby County Building Inspector once zoning is approved; a physical address, set of house plans, and site plan are required during submittal.
- 05 After issuance, notify the electrical inspector (Craig Bitzer) and schedule footing, framing, insulation, and final inspections; those calls should be made on the morning of placement or as the work is ready.
- 06 Coordinate with state-planned electrical, plumbing, and HVAC inspectors (DHBC) as part of the construction sequence.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Shelby County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$125
02
Plan check fee
Included in fee schedule where applicable; optional $100 fast-track processing fee for time-sensitive residential projects
03
Permit fee formula
Residential new construction and additions assessed at $0.16 per square foot (includes townhomes, additions, decks, and accessory structures); commercial permits use a full building-cost tier schedule from $125 up to $10,000
04
Reinspection fee
Second reinspections $50; subsequent reinspections twice the prior fee
05
Penalty (no permit)
Starting work without a permit doubles the standard permit fee
Applications require payment at submittal; fees are 60% refundable prior to the first inspection and nonrefundable afterward.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- (502) 633-0692 (phone)
- Electrical Inspector Craig Bitzer (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday–Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM EST
- Time windows
- Walk-in hours Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Typical sequence: Footing → Framing → Insulation → Final (with electrical/plumbing/HVAC rough-ins completed before framing). Coordinate with state inspectors (DHBC) for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Shelby County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Shelby County, KY? ▸
Any owner or authorized agent proposing to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, change occupancy, or install/modify electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems must apply before starting work.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Shelby County, KY? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Shelby County, KY are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $125. Fees are calculated as: Residential new construction and additions assessed at $0.16 per square foot (includes townhomes, additions, decks, and accessory structures); commercial permits use a full building-cost tier schedule from $125 up to $10,000. Plan check fee: Included in fee schedule where applicable; optional $100 fast-track processing fee for time-sensitive residential projects.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Shelby County, KY? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Shelby County, KY, follow these steps: 1. Determine applicable driveway permitting agency (Shelby County Road Department, City of Shelbyville Public Works, or Kentucky DOT) and secure approval before grading. 2. Obtain septic or sewer permits from Shelby County Environmental Office, Shelbyville Water & Sewer, or Simpsonville Sewer Commission before applying for a building permit. 3. File a zoning permit with Triple S Planning & Zoning, submitting a scaled site plan, setbacks, floodplain info, and plan sets. 4. Apply to the Shelby County Building Inspector once zoning is approved; a physical address, set of house plans, and site plan are required during submittal. 5. After issuance, notify the electrical inspector (Craig Bitzer) and schedule footing, framing, insulation, and final inspections; those calls should be made on the morning of placement or as the work is ready. 6. Coordinate with state-planned electrical, plumbing, and HVAC inspectors (DHBC) as part of the construction sequence.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Shelby County, KY? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Shelby County, KY. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures under 120 sq ft; Fences under 7 ft; Oil derricks; Low retaining walls; Small water tanks; Low sidewalks/driveways; Finish work (painting/papering/cabinets); Temporary motion picture sets; Tents under 400 sq ft; Shade cloth structures for agriculture; Playground equipment; Small window awnings; Non-fixed fixtures. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from other regulatory requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Building Inspector before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Shelby County, KY? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Shelby County, KY via: (502) 633-0692, Electrical Inspector Craig Bitzer.
last verified April 2026
entry id permits/kentucky/shelby/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Shelby County Building Inspector (Shelby County Fiscal Court) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.