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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 Pendleton County.

The latest DHBC county roster, updated April 7, 2026, identifies no local building inspector and routes commercial building permits to the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction. Applicable state 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, plus applicable trade codes. Pendleton County separately administers its June 2025 zoning ordinance and related land-use requirements for the unincorporated county and City of Falmouth.

Inspection lane

Submit the residential or commercial zoning permit application to Pendleton County Planning & Zoning at 233 Main Street, Falmouth, and contact State Building Inspector Keith Ransdell at 502-591-9896 for commercial building-code plan review and inspections. The county's inspection page lists contracted electrical inspectors Robert Scott, Steve Helmer, and Larry Rice. The current DHBC roster lists plumbing inspector Bobby Saylor at 606-316-9167 on Wednesdays, 8:00-9:00 a.m. at the Pendleton County Health Department, HVAC inspector Steve Shively at 502-871-1452, manufactured housing Bruce Hall at 502-682-8544, elevator Chris Hetterman at 502-226-0819, and boiler Gary Shoemaker at 859-339-4458. Sanitary-sewage inspections are handled by Don Jacobs / Three Rivers District Health Department at 859-654-6985.

Minor-work playbook

Understand what may be exempt—and what is not.

The county applications page states that zoning permits are required for all new construction, new uses, additions, demolition, sheds, detached garages, carports, pools, decks, fences, off-street parking, and signage. No current minor or cosmetic exemption list was published; confirm any proposed repair or agricultural work with Planning & Zoning and DHBC before beginning.

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 the residential or commercial zoning permit application to Pendleton County Planning & Zoning at 233 Main Street, Falmouth, and contact State Building Inspector Keith Ransdell at 502-591-9896 for commercial building-code plan review and inspections. The county's inspection page lists contracted electrical inspectors Robert Scott, Steve Helmer, and Larry Rice. The current DHBC roster lists plumbing inspector Bobby Saylor at 606-316-9167 on Wednesdays, 8:00-9:00 a.m. at the Pendleton County Health Department, HVAC inspector Steve Shively at 502-871-1452, manufactured housing Bruce Hall at 502-682-8544, elevator Chris Hetterman at 502-226-0819, and boiler Gary Shoemaker at 859-339-4458. Sanitary-sewage inspections are handled by Don Jacobs / Three Rivers District Health Department at 859-654-6985.

  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 Pendleton County

Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?

This record is marked State Fallback. Confirm whether a city, state agency, or other local authority controls the parcel 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 Pendleton County Planning & Zoning: 859-654-1108; State Building Inspector Keith Ransdell: 502-591-9896, keith.ransdell@ky.gov; Pendleton County Judge/Executive David Fields: 859-654-4321; Code Enforcement: 859-654-1376; electrical inspectors Robert Scott: 606-402-0172, Steve Helmer: 859-746-9111, Larry Rice: 859-338-6109; plumbing inspector Bobby Saylor: 606-316-9167; HVAC inspector Steve Shively: 502-871-1452.

How long might review take?

N/A. No current Pendleton County or DHBC plan-review turnaround guarantee was published; contact Planning & Zoning or Keith Ransdell for the project queue and required review sequence.

How are inspections scheduled?

Submit the residential or commercial zoning permit application to Pendleton County Planning & Zoning at 233 Main Street, Falmouth, and contact State Building Inspector Keith Ransdell at 502-591-9896 for commercial building-code plan review and inspections. The county's inspection page lists contracted electrical inspectors Robert Scott, Steve Helmer, and Larry Rice. The current DHBC roster lists plumbing inspector Bobby Saylor at 606-316-9167 on Wednesdays, 8:00-9:00 a.m. at the Pendleton County Health Department, HVAC inspector Steve Shively at 502-871-1452, manufactured housing Bruce Hall at 502-682-8544, elevator Chris Hetterman at 502-226-0819, and boiler Gary Shoemaker at 859-339-4458. Sanitary-sewage inspections are handled by Don Jacobs / Three Rivers District Health Department at 859-654-6985.

Which codes and exemptions should I review?

The latest DHBC county roster, updated April 7, 2026, identifies no local building inspector and routes commercial building permits to the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction. Applicable state 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, plus applicable trade codes. Pendleton County separately administers its June 2025 zoning ordinance and related land-use requirements for the unincorporated county and City of Falmouth. The county applications page states that zoning permits are required for all new construction, new uses, additions, demolition, sheds, detached garages, carports, pools, decks, fences, off-street parking, and signage. No current minor or cosmetic exemption list was published; confirm any proposed repair or agricultural work with Planning & Zoning and DHBC before beginning.

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.