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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.