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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 Pulaski County.

Applicable Kentucky 2018 Kentucky Building Code and 2018 Kentucky Residential Code, based on the 2015 IBC/IRC with Kentucky amendments, plus applicable state electrical, plumbing, HVAC, manufactured-housing, elevator, boiler, and fire-safety requirements. Pulaski County states that commercial construction requires a permit and directs applicants to the county commercial inspector or state building codes; residential construction in the unincorporated county does not require a county building permit.

Inspection lane

For commercial projects in the county, contact County Commercial Building Inspector Wes Finley at 606-416-4182. Local electrical inspectors are Jackie Spears, Michael Ledger, Larry Strunk, and Ron Ebling; the county page directs applicants to the county judge executive's office or the city office where work occurs. State Building Inspector Dillon Fields is 606-312-9428. Plumbing: Joe Mike Wiese, 606-219-1841, Pulaski County Health Department Tuesday-Friday 8:00-9:30 a.m. HVAC: Mark Clemons, 606-875-6011. Manufactured housing: Mark Pruitt, 606-224-7464. Elevator: Benjamin Pennington, 502-234-8725. Boiler: David Miller, 606-594-8146. The county states that it does not issue certificates of occupancy.

Minor-work playbook

Understand what may be exempt—and what is not.

Pulaski County's official government page states that building permits are not required for residential construction in the county, while commercial construction requires a permit. It also states that Pulaski County currently has no zoning laws. Work inside a municipality, including Somerset or Burnside, may be subject to that municipality's separate permit and zoning rules; verify the exact jurisdiction 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

    For commercial projects in the county, contact County Commercial Building Inspector Wes Finley at 606-416-4182. Local electrical inspectors are Jackie Spears, Michael Ledger, Larry Strunk, and Ron Ebling; the county page directs applicants to the county judge executive's office or the city office where work occurs. State Building Inspector Dillon Fields is 606-312-9428. Plumbing: Joe Mike Wiese, 606-219-1841, Pulaski County Health Department Tuesday-Friday 8:00-9:30 a.m. HVAC: Mark Clemons, 606-875-6011. Manufactured housing: Mark Pruitt, 606-224-7464. Elevator: Benjamin Pennington, 502-234-8725. Boiler: David Miller, 606-594-8146. The county states that it does not issue certificates of occupancy.

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

Project questions

Frequently asked questions for Pulaski County

Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?

Pulaski County Fiscal Court; County Commercial Building Inspector Wes Finley 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 Pulaski County Judge/Executive's Office: 606-678-4853; County Commercial Building Inspector Wes Finley: 606-416-4182; State Building Inspector Dillon Fields: 606-312-9428; Pulaski County Health Department: 606-679-4416; State Electrical Inspector Anisa Ross: 606-278-4383; HVAC Mark Clemons: 606-875-6011.

How long might review take?

N/A. No Pulaski County or DHBC commercial plan-review timeline was published.

How are inspections scheduled?

For commercial projects in the county, contact County Commercial Building Inspector Wes Finley at 606-416-4182. Local electrical inspectors are Jackie Spears, Michael Ledger, Larry Strunk, and Ron Ebling; the county page directs applicants to the county judge executive's office or the city office where work occurs. State Building Inspector Dillon Fields is 606-312-9428. Plumbing: Joe Mike Wiese, 606-219-1841, Pulaski County Health Department Tuesday-Friday 8:00-9:30 a.m. HVAC: Mark Clemons, 606-875-6011. Manufactured housing: Mark Pruitt, 606-224-7464. Elevator: Benjamin Pennington, 502-234-8725. Boiler: David Miller, 606-594-8146. The county states that it does not issue certificates of occupancy.

Which codes and exemptions should I review?

Applicable Kentucky 2018 Kentucky Building Code and 2018 Kentucky Residential Code, based on the 2015 IBC/IRC with Kentucky amendments, plus applicable state electrical, plumbing, HVAC, manufactured-housing, elevator, boiler, and fire-safety requirements. Pulaski County states that commercial construction requires a permit and directs applicants to the county commercial inspector or state building codes; residential construction in the unincorporated county does not require a county building permit. Pulaski County's official government page states that building permits are not required for residential construction in the county, while commercial construction requires a permit. It also states that Pulaski County currently has no zoning laws. Work inside a municipality, including Somerset or Burnside, may be subject to that municipality's separate permit and zoning rules; verify the exact jurisdiction 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.