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
County Building Inspector Chad Conlee: 859-498-8709; Montgomery County Fiscal Court: 859-498-8707; DHBC State Building Inspector Ric McNees: 859-595-0689; state electrical inspector Darryl Morgan: 859-473-5176; HVAC inspector Joey Pratt: 606-671-7130; plumbing inspector Daniel Clem: 859-771-8018
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
Montgomery County Building Inspector; Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction for commercial construction 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 County Building Inspector Chad Conlee: 859-498-8709; Montgomery County Fiscal Court: 859-498-8707; DHBC State Building Inspector Ric McNees: 859-595-0689; state electrical inspector Darryl Morgan: 859-473-5176; HVAC inspector Joey Pratt: 606-671-7130; plumbing inspector Daniel Clem: 859-771-8018.
N/A. No county or state project-specific plan-review timeline was published; confirm timing with the applicable inspector.
Schedule county building inspections with Chad Conlee at 859-498-8709. DHBC's roster directs commercial permit applicants to the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction and directs private-property electrical applicants to the county judge executive's office or the city office where the work occurs. State contacts: Ric McNees 859-595-0689; Darryl Morgan 859-473-5176; Joey Pratt 606-671-7130; Daniel Clem 859-771-8018, Thursday 8:00-9:30 a.m. at Montgomery County Health Department; elevator Dan Stifle 606-748-9337; manufactured housing Brandon Miller 606-585-3168; boiler Scott Shepherd 502-382-0545.
The local and state programs operate under the 2018 Kentucky Building Code and 2018 Kentucky Residential Code, based on the 2015 International Building and Residential Codes with Kentucky amendments. DHBC's current roster states that commercial construction is handled by the state; electrical, HVAC, plumbing, elevator, manufactured-housing, and boiler work remains subject to the applicable Kentucky programs. No newer Montgomery County-specific 2026 code adoption was verified. N/A. No current Montgomery County list of minor or cosmetic building-permit exemptions was published on the verified official pages. Confirm proposed accessory, repair, or agricultural work with Chad Conlee before construction.
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.