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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 Henry County.

The current DHBC county assignment lists Matthew Dunaway as local building inspector and John Orthober as state building inspector. Henry County’s ordinance requires building permits under the locally adopted State Building Code regulations; 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

For county building inspection contact Matthew Dunaway at 502-639-3218; the DHBC sheet lists jstanley.hcgov@mail.com as the associated email, while county Planning & Zoning is at 502-845-5707 ext. 2. The county ordinance requires a dimensional building drawing and preliminary county health-officer approval of water and sewage facilities before the building-permit step. Local electrical matters are directed to the county judge executive’s or city office; state electrical inspector Darryl Morgan is 859-473-5176, elevator inspector Alex Taylor is 502-330-2565, HVAC inspector Steve Shively is 502-871-1452, manufactured-housing inspector Michael Carter is 502-229-6437, plumbing inspector Guy Dwayne Crase is 502-229-6274 with Tuesday 8:00-9:00 a.m. EST office hours at the Henry County Health Department, and boiler inspector Ben Tate is 502-604-5072.

Minor-work playbook

Understand what may be exempt—and what is not.

Henry County zoning exceptions include recurring maintenance regardless of cost; alterations to existing buildings with replacement value of $500 or less; construction or service connections to publicly owned and operated utilities; grading, streets, ditch digging, cutting, and filling associated with site improvements before building development; required improvements under an approved preliminary subdivision or planned-development plat; and structures other than signs containing less than 15 square feet of floor space. Confirm building-code and trade-permit requirements separately.

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

    For county building inspection contact Matthew Dunaway at 502-639-3218; the DHBC sheet lists jstanley.hcgov@mail.com as the associated email, while county Planning & Zoning is at 502-845-5707 ext. 2. The county ordinance requires a dimensional building drawing and preliminary county health-officer approval of water and sewage facilities before the building-permit step. Local electrical matters are directed to the county judge executive’s or city office; state electrical inspector Darryl Morgan is 859-473-5176, elevator inspector Alex Taylor is 502-330-2565, HVAC inspector Steve Shively is 502-871-1452, manufactured-housing inspector Michael Carter is 502-229-6437, plumbing inspector Guy Dwayne Crase is 502-229-6274 with Tuesday 8:00-9:00 a.m. EST office hours at the Henry County Health Department, and boiler inspector Ben Tate is 502-604-5072.

  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 Henry County

Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?

Henry County Planning & Zoning / Henry County Building Inspection / 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 502-639-3218.

How long might review take?

The county ordinance says zoning-permit applications should ordinarily be approved or disapproved within three days; no separate current building-plan review timeline was published.

How are inspections scheduled?

For county building inspection contact Matthew Dunaway at 502-639-3218; the DHBC sheet lists jstanley.hcgov@mail.com as the associated email, while county Planning & Zoning is at 502-845-5707 ext. 2. The county ordinance requires a dimensional building drawing and preliminary county health-officer approval of water and sewage facilities before the building-permit step. Local electrical matters are directed to the county judge executive’s or city office; state electrical inspector Darryl Morgan is 859-473-5176, elevator inspector Alex Taylor is 502-330-2565, HVAC inspector Steve Shively is 502-871-1452, manufactured-housing inspector Michael Carter is 502-229-6437, plumbing inspector Guy Dwayne Crase is 502-229-6274 with Tuesday 8:00-9:00 a.m. EST office hours at the Henry County Health Department, and boiler inspector Ben Tate is 502-604-5072.

Which codes and exemptions should I review?

The current DHBC county assignment lists Matthew Dunaway as local building inspector and John Orthober as state building inspector. Henry County’s ordinance requires building permits under the locally adopted State Building Code regulations; 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. Henry County zoning exceptions include recurring maintenance regardless of cost; alterations to existing buildings with replacement value of $500 or less; construction or service connections to publicly owned and operated utilities; grading, streets, ditch digging, cutting, and filling associated with site improvements before building development; required improvements under an approved preliminary subdivision or planned-development plat; and structures other than signs containing less than 15 square feet of floor space. Confirm building-code and trade-permit requirements separately.

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.