Fees, valuation & enforcement
Permit fees are a project input. Enforcement exposure is a project risk. Use the official schedule where available, then confirm valuation, trade permits, plan review, and inspection charges with the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
Official fee pathway
The final charge may depend on declared construction value, occupancy classification, square footage, plan review, state surcharges, trade permits, technology fees, and inspection activity. Do not use a neighboring city’s fee table as a substitute for this jurisdiction.
Fee desk contact
Local Building Inspector Howard Stuart: 270-634-4135, howstuart@scrtc.com; Monroe County Fiscal Court/Judge Executive: 270-487-5505; state Building Inspector Dale Henderson: 270-849-7409; Health Department/plumbing office: 270-487-6782
Ask the counter to confirm current charges before submitting a project with multiple trades or a change of use.
Financial exposure
Plan for building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire, energy, zoning, septic, right-of-way, or other reviews that the project scope triggers. The lowest initial permit fee is not always the lowest project cost.
Enforcement exposure
When work begins without authorization, the agency may halt the site, require corrective plans, impose additional fees, withhold inspection release, or require concealed work to be exposed for review.
Closeout exposure
A missing final inspection or certificate can complicate occupancy, refinancing, sale, insurance, and utility connection. Preserve the approved plans and signed inspection record through closeout.
Professional field note
Even when a cosmetic or minor project does not require a building permit, zoning, floodplain, shoreline, historic, utility, fire, or right-of-way controls may still apply. Confirm the full jurisdictional picture before work starts.
Source trail
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
Monroe County Building Inspection Program / Monroe County Fiscal Court is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact Local Building Inspector Howard Stuart: 270-634-4135, howstuart@scrtc.com; Monroe County Fiscal Court/Judge Executive: 270-487-5505; state Building Inspector Dale Henderson: 270-849-7409; Health Department/plumbing office: 270-487-6782.
N/A. No Monroe County review timeline was published; confirm expected review time directly with the local building inspector.
Schedule building inspections directly with Local Building Inspector Howard Stuart at 270-634-4135. The DHBC roster directs electrical applicants to the Monroe County Judge Executive's office or the city office where work occurs. HVAC inspector Charles Stovall: 606-622-3560; state building inspector Dale Henderson: 270-849-7409; plumbing inspector Brandon Smith: 270-975-1839, with Wednesday 8:00-9:00 a.m. office hours at Monroe County Health Department, 452 East 4th Street, Tompkinsville; elevator inspector Benjamin Pennington: 502-234-8725; manufactured housing inspector Rodney Farrar: 270-404-5327; boiler inspector David Miller: 606-594-8146.
The county program operates under the 2018 Kentucky Building Code and 2018 Kentucky Residential Code, based on the 2015 International Building and Residential Codes with Kentucky amendments. Trade work remains subject to Kentucky electrical, plumbing, HVAC, elevator, manufactured-housing, and boiler requirements. No newer Monroe County-specific 2026 code adoption was verified. N/A. No Monroe County-specific list of minor or cosmetic building-permit exemptions was published on the verified official pages. Confirm whether a proposed repair or accessory structure is exempt with Howard Stuart before starting work.
Why permit costs vary
Building departments commonly calculate charges from valuation, occupancy, floor area, project type, plan review effort, trade scope, state surcharges, and inspection activity. A remodel that appears small on paper may still trigger structural, energy, fire, or utility review. Ask the permit counter which disciplines apply before you finalize the construction budget.
The same discipline applies to enforcement. Correcting unpermitted work after finishes are installed can require demolition, revised plans, additional inspections, and schedule disruption. Authorization is usually the less expensive project-management decision.