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City building permits

City of Bedford

How to apply for a building permit in City of Bedford, Kentucky. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Trimble County Building Division (Bedford permit applicants are routed through the county Planning & Zoning program)

Street address
County Building Division: 123 Church Street, PO Box 251, Bedford, KY 40006; Bedford City Hall: 147 Victory Avenue, PO Box 1, Bedford, KY 40006
Coverage
Bedford relies on the county Building Division for plan review, permits, and inspections.
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Bedford

Building permits are required for new buildings, additions, remodels, garages, mobile/modular homes, accessory structures, decks, pools, and other structural work.

Note: No Bedford-specific exempt-work list is published beyond the county portal. The zoning ordinance only calls out special cases such as hazardous liquid pipelines.

Required documents
  • Building permit application form
  • Zoning permit application form (when required)
  • Elevations and mechanical plans
  • Foundation plans with rebar/footing sizing
  • Floor and stair layouts
  • Ceiling/roof framing plans
  • Plot plan showing distances to all property lines
  • Engineer-sealed approvals for atypical construction, retaining walls over four feet, and expansive soils
  • Proof of insurance
Building code
2018 Kentucky Residential Code with design parameters including 15 lb ground snow load and 24-inch footing depth.
Permit validity
Permits lapse if work is not started within six months or is suspended/abandoned for six months. Renewal fee: $100. Permit fees are nonrefundable after 30 days and are not transferable.
Owner-builder
The form requires the applicant/builder to sign. Contact the Planning & Zoning Administrator for owner-occupant questions.
Contractor requirements
Listing of licensed contractors and their certification numbers is required on the application.
§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Processing time is not published on the county portal or packet.

  1. 01
    Complete the Trimble County building/zoning permit application with work descriptions, owner/builder data, and insurance details. Note any additional approvals that may be required.
  2. 02
    Submit the packet, supporting documents, and payment to Planning & Zoning (68 Wentworth Ave/PO Box 251, Bedford). Checks payable to Matthew Dunaway.
  3. 03
    After review, call (502) 639-3218 to schedule the required inspections. Pay inspection fees directly to Matthew Dunaway.
  4. 04
    Once inspections and fees are satisfied, request the certificate of occupancy before occupying the structure.

Typical processing time: Processing time is not published on the county portal or packet.

Source: Trimble County Building Division (Bedford permit applicants are routed through the county Planning & Zoning program) ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Bedford building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Permit fee formula
Valuation-based schedule (specific amounts not published online; applicants fill the fee amount from the posted schedule)
02
Reinspection fee
$100 per inspection

Permit and inspection fees are payable to Matthew Dunaway at 24 Oakwood Circle, Pendleton, KY 40055. Payment must be submitted when the application is filed. Inspection fees must be cleared prior to final approval and certificate of occupancy issuance.

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • (502) 639-3218 (phone)

Typical sequence: Residential footers must be inspected before concrete is poured. Rough framing is inspected after all mechanical work is in place. Final inspections occur after all systems are complete.

Source: Trimble County Building Division (Bedford permit applicants are routed through the county Planning & Zoning program) ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Bedford permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Bedford, KY?
Building permits are required for new buildings, additions, remodels, garages, mobile/modular homes, accessory structures, decks, pools, and other structural work.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Bedford, KY?
Building permit fees in Bedford, KY are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based schedule (specific amounts not published online; applicants fill the fee amount from the posted schedule).
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Bedford, KY?
To apply for a building permit in Bedford, KY, follow these steps: 1. Complete the Trimble County building/zoning permit application with work descriptions, owner/builder data, and insurance details. Note any additional approvals that may be required. 2. Submit the packet, supporting documents, and payment to Planning & Zoning (68 Wentworth Ave/PO Box 251, Bedford). Checks payable to Matthew Dunaway. 3. After review, call (502) 639-3218 to schedule the required inspections. Pay inspection fees directly to Matthew Dunaway. 4. Once inspections and fees are satisfied, request the certificate of occupancy before occupying the structure.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Bedford, KY?
Building permit processing times in Bedford, KY typically run Processing time is not published on the county portal or packet.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Bedford, KY?
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Bedford, KY via: (502) 639-3218.

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Trimble County Building Division (Bedford permit applicants are routed through the county Planning & Zoning program) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

§   Adjacent

Other jurisdictions in Trimble County.

Same county, different permit office. Click for that jurisdiction's full guide.

All Trimble County jurisdictions →