Administrative overview · FIPS 21183
Ohio 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
Ohio County Building Inspection Program / Ohio County Fiscal Court; Hartford/Beaver Dam Joint Planning Commission for zoning within the cities of Hartford and Beaver Dam
For a project in or near Ohio 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
Ohio County local building inspector Pat Rhodes: 270-339-4188; Ohio County Judge Executive/Fiscal Court: 270-298-4400; Hartford/Beaver Dam Joint Planning Commission: 270-256-5798; state building inspector Kelly Meadows: 270-823-3921; Ohio County Health Department: 270-344-5608; plumbing inspector Anthony Mattingly: 270-282-1123; HVAC inspector Alan Bates: 270-619-1460
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Ohio County Judge Executive/Fiscal Court, 130 East Washington Street, Suite 215, Hartford, KY 42347; Hartford/Beaver Dam Joint Planning Commission, Beaver Dam City Hall, 309 West 2nd Street, Beaver Dam, KY 42320; Ohio County Health Department, 1336 Clay Street, Hartford, KY 42347
Operating hours
Ohio County Judge Executive office: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. The Hartford/Beaver Dam Joint Planning Commission lists office hours Monday-Friday, 1:30-4:00 p.m. and by appointment. The DHBC roster lists plumbing office hours Friday, 8:00-9:00 a.m. CST at the Ohio County Health Department.
Review expectation
N/A. No current county building-plan review timeline was published. The Hartford/Beaver Dam Joint Planning Commission states that some applications can be handled by telephone, while most require an in-person review; confirm timing with the issuing office.
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 Ohio County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Ohio County Building Inspection Program / Ohio County Fiscal Court; Hartford/Beaver Dam Joint Planning Commission for zoning within the cities of Hartford and Beaver Dam 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 Ohio County local building inspector Pat Rhodes: 270-339-4188; Ohio County Judge Executive/Fiscal Court: 270-298-4400; Hartford/Beaver Dam Joint Planning Commission: 270-256-5798; state building inspector Kelly Meadows: 270-823-3921; Ohio County Health Department: 270-344-5608; plumbing inspector Anthony Mattingly: 270-282-1123; HVAC inspector Alan Bates: 270-619-1460.
How long might review take?
N/A. No current county building-plan review timeline was published. The Hartford/Beaver Dam Joint Planning Commission states that some applications can be handled by telephone, while most require an in-person review; confirm timing with the issuing office.
How are inspections scheduled?
Call local building inspector Pat Rhodes at 270-339-4188 for building inspection scheduling and jurisdiction questions. For work within Hartford or Beaver Dam, contact the Joint Planning Commission at 270-256-5798 and plan to visit Beaver Dam City Hall for application review and fee payment. Electrical applicants should contact the county judge executive or the relevant city office. Plumbing inspector Anthony Mattingly is listed for Friday, 8:00-9:00 a.m. at the Ohio County Health Department, 1336 Clay Street, Hartford; HVAC inspector Alan Bates: 270-619-1460; state building inspector Kelly Meadows: 270-823-3921; manufactured housing inspector James Blackburn: 270-704-7171; elevator inspector Jim Morris: 270-999-8241; boiler inspector Dale Snyder: 270-363-9056.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
The county program operates under Kentucky's current 2018 Kentucky Building Code and 2018 Kentucky Residential Code, based on the 2015 International Building Code and 2015 International Residential Code with Kentucky amendments. The DHBC county roster identifies local building inspector Pat Rhodes; state DHBC retains jurisdiction for projects assigned under KBC and for applicable state trade programs. No newer Ohio County-specific 2026 code adoption was verified. No current county-wide minor or cosmetic exemption list was verified. Within Hartford and Beaver Dam, the Joint Planning Commission's ordinance governs zoning/building permits and requires permits for most construction; applicants should confirm whether routine maintenance, agricultural work, accessory structures, or other minor work is exempt before starting.