Administrative overview · FIPS 21101
Henderson County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
Henderson County Codes Department / Henderson City-County Planning Commission / Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction
For a project in or near Henderson County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
270-827-6030
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Henderson County Codes Department, 1990 Barrett Court, Suite H, Henderson, KY 42420.
Operating hours
Monday-Friday, 7:00-8:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., and 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Review expectation
The county building-permit checklist states the Codes Department shall act on applications within two weeks of submission, or explain in writing to Fiscal Court why action has not been taken.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →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.
Project questions
Frequently asked questions for Henderson County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Henderson County Codes Department / Henderson City-County Planning Commission / 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 270-827-6030.
How long might review take?
The county building-permit checklist states the Codes Department shall act on applications within two weeks of submission, or explain in writing to Fiscal Court why action has not been taken.
How are inspections scheduled?
The dwelling checklist requires at least 24 hours’ notice and inspections for open footing, foundation, framing before insulation, and final work; failure to comply may result in a stop-work order or legal action. Call the Henderson County Codes Department at 270-827-6030 for inspections. Electrical inspections are handled through county/city inspectors; county contacts list Damion Young for city and county electrical work at 270-952-2330 and hendersoncoelectricalpermit@gmail.com. A certificate of occupancy is required before a resident occupies a home. The county checklist says applications should be acted on within two weeks of submission.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
Henderson County’s Codes Department issues building permits and enforces building, property-maintenance, and zoning codes. County ordinance adopts the Kentucky Building Code and Kentucky Residential Code; the statewide framework is the 2018 KBC/KRC 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 county zoning ordinance says no building permit or certificate of occupancy is required for recurring maintenance; interior alterations; exterior alterations that do not appreciably increase exterior dimensions, including siding, windows, doors, and roofing; and required improvements under an approved subdivision plat, plus Section 24.04 exceptions. New construction, accessory buildings, moving structures, and exterior alterations requiring dimensional changes need a permit.