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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 Oldham County.

Oldham County Planning & Development Services is the local enforcement agency for the Kentucky State Building Code; building inspections are performed by state-certified inspectors and electrical inspections by state-certified electrical inspectors. Kentucky's current adopted codes are the 2018 Kentucky Building Code and 2018 Kentucky Residential Code, based on the 2015 International Building Code and 2015 International Residential Code with Kentucky amendments. State DHBC jurisdiction may apply under KBC 104.2 based on project type, size, or occupancy.

Inspection lane

Submit building and electrical applications electronically to PermitsInspections@OldhamCountyKY.gov; residential swimming-pool applications must be submitted in person. The commercial application requires rough structural/mechanical, rough electrical, temporary-on-main when applicable, final structural, and final electrical inspections before occupancy. The permit fee includes three inspections; additional failed/re-inspection trips are $50 each. Plumbing, septic, and HVAC permits are not issued by county Planning & Development: plumbing and HVAC use the Kentucky DHBC SmartGov portal, while septic is handled by Oldham County Health Department Environmental Services. Call Matthew Dunaway at 502-222-3967 for building inspection scheduling.

Minor-work playbook

Understand what may be exempt—and what is not.

The county fee schedule states that an accessory building smaller than 120 square feet requires no building permit, although zoning regulations still apply. A deck or balcony built with the house has no separate fee. Other work may still require zoning, electrical, stormwater, septic, floodplain, or state approvals; confirm exemptions with the Building & Inspections Division 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

    Submit building and electrical applications electronically to PermitsInspections@OldhamCountyKY.gov; residential swimming-pool applications must be submitted in person. The commercial application requires rough structural/mechanical, rough electrical, temporary-on-main when applicable, final structural, and final electrical inspections before occupancy. The permit fee includes three inspections; additional failed/re-inspection trips are $50 each. Plumbing, septic, and HVAC permits are not issued by county Planning & Development: plumbing and HVAC use the Kentucky DHBC SmartGov portal, while septic is handled by Oldham County Health Department Environmental Services. Call Matthew Dunaway at 502-222-3967 for building inspection scheduling.

  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 ↗Fee scheduleOpen official source ↗Planning or zoning referenceOpen official source ↗Contractor license lookupOpen official source ↗

Project questions

Frequently asked questions for Oldham County

Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?

Oldham County Fiscal Court, Planning & Development Services, Buildings & Inspections Division 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 Chief Building Inspector Matthew Dunaway: 502-222-3967, cell 502-381-8950; Planning & Development Director Ryan Fischer: 502-222-1476; Oldham County Health Department: 502-222-3516; permits email: PermitsInspections@OldhamCountyKY.gov.

How long might review take?

For complete construction plans and stormwater/erosion-control submissions, the Oldham County Engineer generally strives to review and return plans within four weeks; actual time varies with project complexity, completeness, code compliance, and queue. No separate guaranteed building-permit review time was published.

How are inspections scheduled?

Submit building and electrical applications electronically to PermitsInspections@OldhamCountyKY.gov; residential swimming-pool applications must be submitted in person. The commercial application requires rough structural/mechanical, rough electrical, temporary-on-main when applicable, final structural, and final electrical inspections before occupancy. The permit fee includes three inspections; additional failed/re-inspection trips are $50 each. Plumbing, septic, and HVAC permits are not issued by county Planning & Development: plumbing and HVAC use the Kentucky DHBC SmartGov portal, while septic is handled by Oldham County Health Department Environmental Services. Call Matthew Dunaway at 502-222-3967 for building inspection scheduling.

Which codes and exemptions should I review?

Oldham County Planning & Development Services is the local enforcement agency for the Kentucky State Building Code; building inspections are performed by state-certified inspectors and electrical inspections by state-certified electrical inspectors. Kentucky's current adopted codes are the 2018 Kentucky Building Code and 2018 Kentucky Residential Code, based on the 2015 International Building Code and 2015 International Residential Code with Kentucky amendments. State DHBC jurisdiction may apply under KBC 104.2 based on project type, size, or occupancy. The county fee schedule states that an accessory building smaller than 120 square feet requires no building permit, although zoning regulations still apply. A deck or balcony built with the house has no separate fee. Other work may still require zoning, electrical, stormwater, septic, floodplain, or state approvals; confirm exemptions with the Building & Inspections Division 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.