County Building Permits

Trigg County, KY - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Trigg County, Kentucky. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Kentucky Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All unincorporated areas of Trigg County. Commercial construction other than one- or two-family dwellings requires a state building permit. Lake Barkley shorelines fall under U.S. Army Corps oversight.

Department
Cadiz-Trigg County Planning & Zoning (Planning Commission office)
Address
49 Jefferson Street, Cadiz, KY 42211 (PO Box 2053)
Phone
270-522-1170
Website
https://ctcplanning.com/

Online Permit Portal

Open City Hall Forms (used for county permits)

Platform: City Hall/Planning Commission in-person intake • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

  1. Apply for the state building permit (required for any commercial construction other than one- or two-family dwellings) through Cadiz City Hall; plans must be submitted for review.
  2. Obtain a plumbing permit from the Trigg County Health Department (Thursday 7:30-9:30 am, 270-522-8121 ext. 5) before installing septic or plumbing systems and ensure the lot meets the half-acre minimum for septic.
  3. Secure electrical service permits through Pennyrile Rural Electric Cooperative (270-522-6678) or the Judge/Executive's office; the local permit fee is $10 plus any utility setup deposits or membership fees.
  4. Coordinate any water or sewer tap permits as required for new construction, and tie into sewer where service is available.
  5. The state-certified Building Inspector reviews the project, performs progress/final inspections, and issues a certificate of occupancy when the work and intended use meet code; final inspection must occur within five days of notification.

Typical processing time: Permit approval must happen within a reasonable time frame per the ordinance, but no firm deadline is published.

Source: Cadiz-Trigg County Planning & Zoning (Planning Commission office)

General Requirements

Commercial construction outside city limits (excluding one- or two-family homes) must secure the state building permit before beginning work. No countywide zoning exists beyond recorded subdivision restrictions.

Required Documents

  • Completed building permit application
  • Plans that include site, size, height, and use details so the Building Inspector can verify compliance with the ordinance and Kentucky Building Code
Permit validity
Permits expire after six months without substantial progress.
Building code
Kentucky Building Code and Kentucky Residential Code are adopted and enforced across the county by the designated Building Inspector.
Owner-builder
Public quick facts do not mention owner-builder exemptions; owner-builders must verify requirements directly with the Building Inspector or Planning Commission.
Contractor requirements
Contractors are subject to Cadiz's occupational license regime (Ordinance 08-01) and must coordinate licensing through the City Clerk/City Hall.

Fees

Permit fee formula
Valuation-based schedule adopted by reference in Section 150.04 (Ordinance 11-04). Exact amounts must be obtained from City Hall or Planning Commission.
Trade permit fee
$10 electrical permit fee through City Hall or Judge/Executive's office
Penalty (no permit)
$15 annual Fire Code inspection fee (as published in code)
Payment note
Permit fees and mandatory electrical permit fees are paid through City/County offices. Utility deposits (Pennyrile membership plus residential/commercial setup fees) are handled by the respective cooperatives.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Cadiz-Trigg County Planning & Zoning (Planning Commission office) to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • Building Inspector Frank Wallace at 270-619-0813 via Cadiz-Trigg County Planning & Zoning (phone)
  • Trigg County Health Department for plumbing inspections at 270-522-8121 ext. 5 (phone)
Scheduling deadline
Final inspection must happen within five days of notification before a certificate of occupancy is issued.
Inspection hours
By appointment; Plumbing inspections Thursday 7:30-9:30 am at Health Department.
Time windows
Plumbing permit window: Thursday 7:30-9:30 am; building inspections by appointment.

Typical inspection sequence: Plans are checked at intake, progress inspections are conducted by the certified inspector, and the final inspection must happen within five days of notification.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Cadiz-Trigg County Planning & Zoning (Planning Commission office) before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Trigg County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Trigg County, KY?
Commercial construction outside city limits (excluding one- or two-family homes) must secure the state building permit before beginning work. No countywide zoning exists beyond recorded subdivision restrictions.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Trigg County, KY?
Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based schedule adopted by reference in Section 150.04 (Ordinance 11-04). Exact amounts must be obtained from City Hall or Planning Commission..
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Trigg County, KY?
1. Apply for the state building permit (required for any commercial construction other than one- or two-family dwellings) through Cadiz City Hall; plans must be submitted for review. 2. Obtain a plumbing permit from the Trigg County Health Department (Thursday 7:30-9:30 am, 270-522-8121 ext. 5) before installing septic or plumbing systems and ensure the lot meets the half-acre minimum for septic. 3. Secure electrical service permits through Pennyrile Rural Electric Cooperative (270-522-6678) or the Judge/Executive's office; the local permit fee is $10 plus any utility setup deposits or membership fees. 4. Coordinate any water or sewer tap permits as required for new construction, and tie into sewer where service is available. 5. The state-certified Building Inspector reviews the project, performs progress/final inspections, and issues a certificate of occupancy when the work and intended use meet code; final inspection must occur within five days of notification.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Trigg County, KY?
Typical processing time is Permit approval must happen within a reasonable time frame per the ordinance, but no firm deadline is published..
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Trigg County, KY?
Inspections can be scheduled via: Building Inspector Frank Wallace at 270-619-0813 via Cadiz-Trigg County Planning & Zoning, Trigg County Health Department for plumbing inspections at 270-522-8121 ext. 5. Final inspection must happen within five days of notification before a certificate of occupancy is issued..

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.
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