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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 Ohio County.

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.

Inspection lane

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.

Minor-work playbook

Understand what may be exempt—and what is not.

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.

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

    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.

  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 ↗Permit portalOpen official source ↗Planning or zoning referenceOpen official source ↗Contractor license lookupOpen official source ↗

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.

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.