City Building Permits
Morganfield, KY - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Morganfield, Kentucky. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
The commission enforces Morganfield-specific zoning plus all countywide building code requirements within the Morganfield city limits.
- Department
- Union County Planning Commission
- Address
- 510 South Mart Street, Morganfield, KY 42437
- Phone
- (270) 389-2093
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Granicus FormBuilder • Account required: No • Submission: Online only
Application Process
- Morganfield applicants prepare the owner-signed application, site plan, and health approvals.
- A drainage plan per Morganfield Ordinance #402 must be included when the runoff coefficient is 0.6 or higher.
- The Administrative Official acts within two weeks on the combined county and municipal requirements.
- Permits are issued or refused with written reasons and appeal rights to the Board of Adjustments.
Typical processing time: Two weeks from submission.
Source: Union County Planning Commission
General Requirements
Any construction, relocation, addition, structural alteration, mobile home, billboard, sign, pool, antenna, transmitting tower, or fence must have a permit before beginning work.
Required Documents
- Scaled site plan showing lot dimensions, existing and proposed structures, uses, and yard depths
- Drainage plan for commercial, industrial, multi-family, or high-runoff single-family development per Ordinance #402
- County health officer's approval for water/sewer facilities
- Permit validity
- Permits expire one year after issuance if construction has not started and may be renewed before that date.
- Building code
- Kentucky building and electrical codes administered by DHBC, plus Morganfield Municipal Zoning Ordinance for building placement, setback, height, and use restrictions
- Owner-builder
- The owner of record must file the application, although an authorized representative may act on the owner's behalf.
- Contractor requirements
- Building and electrical inspectors are certified through the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction (DHBC); electrical contractors must hold or employ a master electrician.
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Residential is square-foot based ($0.04 per square foot of living area with a minimum); commercial is tiered by area; industrial tiers range by square footage
- Payment note
- Payments are handled at the planning commission office; no online payment portal is described.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Recurring maintenance work that makes no alterations
- Required improvements that match an approved subdivision plat
- Farm operation structures and related buildings
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Union County Planning Commission: (270) 389-2093 (phone)
- Electrical Inspector John Jenkin: (270) 952-2301 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Typical inspection sequence: Building code permits cover new construction, multi-family dwellings, commercial buildings, and occupancy changes; expect a plan review followed by code-specific inspections (rough trades, final) coordinated with the inspector.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Kentucky building and electrical codes administered by DHBC, plus Morganfield Municipal Zoning Ordinance for building placement, setback, height, and use restrictions
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Building Permit Application PDF
- Drainage Ordinance #402
- License lookup guide: Kentucky Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Kentucky Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Kentucky hub: Kentucky Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Union County Planning Commission before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Morganfield Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Morganfield, KY?
- Any construction, relocation, addition, structural alteration, mobile home, billboard, sign, pool, antenna, transmitting tower, or fence must have a permit before beginning work.
- How much does a building permit cost in Morganfield, KY?
- Fees are calculated as: Residential is square-foot based ($0.04 per square foot of living area with a minimum); commercial is tiered by area; industrial tiers range by square footage.
- How do I apply for a building permit in Morganfield, KY?
- 1. Morganfield applicants prepare the owner-signed application, site plan, and health approvals. 2. A drainage plan per Morganfield Ordinance #402 must be included when the runoff coefficient is 0.6 or higher. 3. The Administrative Official acts within two weeks on the combined county and municipal requirements. 4. Permits are issued or refused with written reasons and appeal rights to the Board of Adjustments.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Morganfield, KY?
- Typical processing time is Two weeks from submission..
- What work is exempt from building permits in Morganfield, KY?
- The following work is generally exempt: Recurring maintenance work that makes no alterations; Required improvements that match an approved subdivision plat; Farm operation structures and related buildings.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Morganfield, KY?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Union County Planning Commission: (270) 389-2093, Electrical Inspector John Jenkin: (270) 952-2301.
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