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Codes, exemptions & field inspections

Build to the adopted code. Verify every exception.

This guide translates the available agency record into a preconstruction checklist for structural scope, minor work, and inspection release. The adopted code and the issuing official control when a field condition is disputed.

Regulatory framework

The code baseline for Daviess County.

The OMPC Building & Electrical Division issues building and electrical permits for Owensboro-Daviess County and reviews HVAC work under the Kentucky Residential Code, Kentucky Building Code, International Mechanical Code, NFPA 54, and Manual J. Daviess County ordinances adopt the Commonwealth Residential and Building Codes. The applicable statewide framework is the 2018 Kentucky Building Code and 2018 Kentucky Residential Code, based on the 2015 IBC/IRC with Kentucky amendments; no newer 2026 KBC or KRC adoption was verified. DHBC announced July 2026 NEC updates for electrical work.

Inspection lane

Direct building-permit and inspection questions to Matthew Warren at 270-687-8665 or matthew.warren@owensboro.org. New construction, additions, and remodeling require at least three field inspections: footer/foundation, framing, and final occupancy. Electrical work requires a permit and at least rough-in and final inspections, with electrical clearance before utility energization. HVAC work requires permitting and inspection; local HVAC inspector Bruce Crowe is listed by OMPC. State building inspector Travis Albin is 270-662-9038 or travis.albin@ky.gov; state electrical inspector Pat O’Bryan is 270-645-8903; elevator inspector Jim Morris is 270-999-8241; state HVAC inspector Rick Sims is 270-702-0340; manufactured-housing inspector James Blackburn is 270-704-7171. Plumbing inspectors Mark Thomas and Anthony Mattingly are 270-314-9933 and 270-282-1123, with office hours Monday-Friday 8:00-9:00 a.m. CST at Daviess County Health Department, 270-852-2906.

Minor-work playbook

Understand what may be exempt—and what is not.

The OMPC states that new construction, additions, and certain remodeling require plan review and permits; building, electrical, HVAC, sign, parking-lot, and certificate-of-occupancy permits are issued through the division. No current Daviess County-specific minor or cosmetic exemption list was published. Confirm ordinary maintenance, small accessory work, and any exemption with OMPC before beginning; plumbing permits are handled through the state/local plumbing program.

Field rule

A permit exemption generally addresses one narrow construction trigger. It does not automatically waive zoning, land-use, floodplain, shoreline, fire, energy, electrical, utility, septic, or right-of-way requirements. Obtain written confirmation when the project involves a new structure, structural alteration, change in occupancy, or concealed work.

Inspection pipeline

Keep the work visible at every release point.

  1. 1

    Request with lead time

    Direct building-permit and inspection questions to Matthew Warren at 270-687-8665 or matthew.warren@owensboro.org. New construction, additions, and remodeling require at least three field inspections: footer/foundation, framing, and final occupancy. Electrical work requires a permit and at least rough-in and final inspections, with electrical clearance before utility energization. HVAC work requires permitting and inspection; local HVAC inspector Bruce Crowe is listed by OMPC. State building inspector Travis Albin is 270-662-9038 or travis.albin@ky.gov; state electrical inspector Pat O’Bryan is 270-645-8903; elevator inspector Jim Morris is 270-999-8241; state HVAC inspector Rick Sims is 270-702-0340; manufactured-housing inspector James Blackburn is 270-704-7171. Plumbing inspectors Mark Thomas and Anthony Mattingly are 270-314-9933 and 270-282-1123, with office hours Monday-Friday 8:00-9:00 a.m. CST at Daviess County Health Department, 270-852-2906.

  2. 2

    Preserve access

    Do not cover framing, reinforcement, wiring, piping, damp-proofing, or life-safety work until the required inspection has been completed and documented.

  3. 3

    Close the record

    Retain the approved plans, inspection approvals, correction responses, and final certificate or occupancy release with the property file.

Contractor verification

Verify the builder before the contract is signed.

Use the state licensing system to verify active registration, trade credentials, bond status, and liability coverage where available. Match the legal business name to the proposal and permit application.

Verify contractor ↗

Planning reference

Keep the parcel rules beside the building plans.

A building permit is only one part of statutory compliance. Check the local zoning, ordinance, map, or land-use reference before finalizing setbacks, height, lot coverage, access, drainage, or accessory structure placement.

Open planning reference ↗

Source trail

Official sources for this profile

Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.

Agency websiteOpen official source ↗Planning or zoning referenceOpen official source ↗Contractor license lookupOpen official source ↗

Project questions

Frequently asked questions for Daviess County

Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?

Owensboro Metropolitan Planning Commission Building & Electrical Division / Daviess County Fiscal Court / Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.

How should I begin an application?

Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 270-687-8665.

How long might review take?

N/A. No published Daviess County or OMPC plan-review turnaround time was found.

How are inspections scheduled?

Direct building-permit and inspection questions to Matthew Warren at 270-687-8665 or matthew.warren@owensboro.org. New construction, additions, and remodeling require at least three field inspections: footer/foundation, framing, and final occupancy. Electrical work requires a permit and at least rough-in and final inspections, with electrical clearance before utility energization. HVAC work requires permitting and inspection; local HVAC inspector Bruce Crowe is listed by OMPC. State building inspector Travis Albin is 270-662-9038 or travis.albin@ky.gov; state electrical inspector Pat O’Bryan is 270-645-8903; elevator inspector Jim Morris is 270-999-8241; state HVAC inspector Rick Sims is 270-702-0340; manufactured-housing inspector James Blackburn is 270-704-7171. Plumbing inspectors Mark Thomas and Anthony Mattingly are 270-314-9933 and 270-282-1123, with office hours Monday-Friday 8:00-9:00 a.m. CST at Daviess County Health Department, 270-852-2906.

Which codes and exemptions should I review?

The OMPC Building & Electrical Division issues building and electrical permits for Owensboro-Daviess County and reviews HVAC work under the Kentucky Residential Code, Kentucky Building Code, International Mechanical Code, NFPA 54, and Manual J. Daviess County ordinances adopt the Commonwealth Residential and Building Codes. The applicable statewide framework is the 2018 Kentucky Building Code and 2018 Kentucky Residential Code, based on the 2015 IBC/IRC with Kentucky amendments; no newer 2026 KBC or KRC adoption was verified. DHBC announced July 2026 NEC updates for electrical work. The OMPC states that new construction, additions, and certain remodeling require plan review and permits; building, electrical, HVAC, sign, parking-lot, and certificate-of-occupancy permits are issued through the division. No current Daviess County-specific minor or cosmetic exemption list was published. Confirm ordinary maintenance, small accessory work, and any exemption with OMPC before beginning; plumbing permits are handled through the state/local plumbing program.

Field sequencing matters

The inspector needs to see the work at the right moment.

Code compliance is not only a plan-review exercise. Footings, reinforcement, framing, fireblocking, wiring, piping, insulation, weather protection, and life-safety systems each have points where the work must remain accessible. Build the inspection calendar into the trade schedule instead of treating it as a final administrative step.

When a project qualifies for a narrow minor-work exemption, keep a written explanation of why it qualifies and confirm that related zoning, utility, fire, energy, or environmental rules do not create a separate approval requirement.

Closeout file

Keep the approved plan set, inspection approvals, correction responses, contractor license verification, final certificate, and any occupancy release together. A clean record protects the owner, builder, lender, insurer, and future buyer.