FAQs

When are permits required?

Building Permits: Pursuant to State Law and County Ordinance a building permit is required when a building is erected, an existing structure is altered, the life safety features, including means of egress are altered and modified or the occupancy classification is changed. Examples include: converting an office to a restaurant, finishing a basement or bonus room, building a shed over 120 sq. ft. or adding a new tenant space to a building.)

Simple non-structural work not affecting the means of escape or rescue typically do not require a permit. Examples may include painting, cabinets, installing carpet, roofing or replacement windows. Detached structures under 120 sq. ft. do not require a permit, however, zoning compliance is always required.

The Office of Housing Building and Construction in Frankfort inspects projects where loss of life is increased. This includes most large commercial buildings, many restaurants or retail spaces. Call our office to determine who has jurisdiction. Even if the state has jurisdiction, a permit is still required from our office. The State can be contacted at 502-573-0373 or click here to visit their website.

Electrical Permits: Electrical wiring shall not be installed in a structure, nor shall any alteration of an existing wiring system be made, until a permit is issued and the work is approved by an electrical inspector.

A permit is not required for replacement of lamps or connection of approved portable electrical devices to approved permanently installed receptacles.

The City of LaGrange permits and inspects electrical work within the city limits.
The City of LaGrange electrical inspector is available at 502-241-4235.

Heating, Ventilation and Mechanical Permits: We do not issue permits for HVAC or mechanical installations or replacements. We do inspect (under our building permits) certain aspects of the mechanical system in new buildings. All new installations must be performed by a state licensed HVAC contractor and to the International Mechanical Code and International Fuel Gas Code and ASHRAE standards. Evidence of Licensing may be requested on the site. However, the state is in process of adopting its on permitting and inspection program.

Plumbing and Septic Permits: All plumbing is inspected by the State Plumbing inspector at 502-222-3520. All septic work is inspected by the Oldham Co. Board of Health at 502-222-3519. What licenses are required to pull permits?

What Licenses are Required to Pull a Permit?

Building Permits: Currently Kentucky does not require the licensure of building contractors offering professional services. Proof of Workers Compensation must be presented at application.

Electrical Permits: In order to contract with the public and pull permits, you must be licensed as an electrical contractor. Each electrical contractor must employ at least one master electrician. Current licenses must be provided. Homeowner permits are allowed to those individuals qualified to perform said services on their personal residence only!

Performing electrical work without the required license or obtaining required inspections is a crime. If you present yourself as an electrician without the proper license or perform work without inspections you may be prosecuted under state law!

What is a Certificate of Occupancy?

A Certificate of Occupancy is the document issued on County Letterhead that states that your project “appears” to have complied with the minimum standards of the applicable codes and grants you permission to occupy the structure. Stickers on the Electrical Panel or Verbal statements are not the C/O. Pursuant to KRS 198 and Oldham County Ordinance 91-300.351.3, a Certificate of Occupancy is required to occupy all new structures! We are only able to maintain our records to a certain number years and are unable to keep records on every project. Please maintain a copy of the C/O for your future needs.

What if a Certificate of Occupancy wasn’t Issued?

Unfortunately, in the past, many homes were built without the benefit of Building or Electrical Inspections or didn’t receive a Certificate of Occupancy for a variety of reasons. We are not able to sign off on work that was not previously approved, nor can we issue a C/O on work that wasn’t inspected by our office. We are always striving for better enforcement of the codes to prevent from this from happening in the future.

What Building and Electrical Codes are in Effect?

2007 Kentucky Building Code

2007 Kentucky Residential Code (One and Two Family Dwellings)

2006 International Fuel Gas Code

2006 International Mechanical Code

2005 National Electrical Code (2008 NEC pending approval)

More Information Regarding State of Kentucky Codes available:

Including free downloads at The Kentucky Office of Housing, Buildings, and Construction Website: http://www.ohbc.ky.gov/bce/

More Information Regarding the International Code Council (ICC)

Family of Codes is available at the ICC Website: http://www.iccsafe.org/

How Long Does it Take to get and Permit or Inspection?

Please allow several days for Permits and Certificates of Occupancy to be completed. All Applications must be completely filled out and all approvals or current licenses submitted at application. All re-inspection fees must be paid for the C/O to be issued.

All inspection requests must be requested 24 hours in advance and may take a day or two, depending on work load and scheduling. All work must be to code at inspection to avoid re-inspection fees and delays.