Codes, exemptions & field inspections
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
2018 Kentucky Building Code and 2018 Kentucky Residential Code, based on the 2015 IBC/IRC with Kentucky amendments; applicable Kentucky plumbing, electrical, HVAC, fire-safety, manufactured-housing, elevator, and boiler requirements. The joint department also enforces the Georgetown and Scott County Zoning Ordinance and publishes 2018 KRC local design criteria.
Inspection lane
Use the Georgetown/Scott County Building Inspection Department's application forms and submit plans, drawings, and fees to 125 West Clinton Street; contact 502-863-9802 for review and inspection scheduling. The department performs plan review and inspections for residential, commercial, industrial, additions, renovations, repairs, signs, awnings, pools, and storage buildings. HVAC installations are separately permitted. A certificate of occupancy is normally issued the next day after an approved final inspection, or faster for the listed expedited fee. State trade contacts include electrical Darryl Morgan at 859-473-5176, plumbing Frank Blevins at 502-229-5592, HVAC Justin Kimes at 859-285-1357, elevator Chris Hetterman at 502-229-0819, and boiler Jim Hagerman at 606-356-7770.
Minor-work playbook
The current fee schedule states that one-story detached residential accessory structures of 200 square feet or less do not require a building permit. A farmstead exemption is available for qualifying farm dwellings or farm-incidental buildings outside municipal limits, generally on at least 10 acres registered as agricultural or horticultural land, when not commercial/public workplaces for 10 or more people and not timber processing/storage. The farmstead application and $52 exemption fee are required. Confirm other minor repairs or cosmetic work with the department.
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
Request with lead time
Use the Georgetown/Scott County Building Inspection Department's application forms and submit plans, drawings, and fees to 125 West Clinton Street; contact 502-863-9802 for review and inspection scheduling. The department performs plan review and inspections for residential, commercial, industrial, additions, renovations, repairs, signs, awnings, pools, and storage buildings. HVAC installations are separately permitted. A certificate of occupancy is normally issued the next day after an approved final inspection, or faster for the listed expedited fee. State trade contacts include electrical Darryl Morgan at 859-473-5176, plumbing Frank Blevins at 502-229-5592, HVAC Justin Kimes at 859-285-1357, elevator Chris Hetterman at 502-229-0819, and boiler Jim Hagerman at 606-356-7770.
Preserve access
Do not cover framing, reinforcement, wiring, piping, damp-proofing, or life-safety work until the required inspection has been completed and documented.
Close the record
Retain the approved plans, inspection approvals, correction responses, and final certificate or occupancy release with the property file.
Contractor verification
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.
Planning reference
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
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
This record is marked Municipal Fallback. Confirm whether a city, state agency, or other local authority controls the parcel 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 Georgetown/Scott County Building Inspection: 502-863-9802; Georgetown/Scott County Chief Building Official Jim Burgess and inspectors are reached through that office; State Building Inspector Justin Kimes: 859-285-1357; Scott County Health Department: 502-863-5383; State Electrical Inspector Darryl Morgan: 859-473-5176.
N/A for plan review; the current fee schedule states that certificates of occupancy are usually issued the next day following an approved final inspection, with expedited issuance available for a $52 fee.
Use the Georgetown/Scott County Building Inspection Department's application forms and submit plans, drawings, and fees to 125 West Clinton Street; contact 502-863-9802 for review and inspection scheduling. The department performs plan review and inspections for residential, commercial, industrial, additions, renovations, repairs, signs, awnings, pools, and storage buildings. HVAC installations are separately permitted. A certificate of occupancy is normally issued the next day after an approved final inspection, or faster for the listed expedited fee. State trade contacts include electrical Darryl Morgan at 859-473-5176, plumbing Frank Blevins at 502-229-5592, HVAC Justin Kimes at 859-285-1357, elevator Chris Hetterman at 502-229-0819, and boiler Jim Hagerman at 606-356-7770.
2018 Kentucky Building Code and 2018 Kentucky Residential Code, based on the 2015 IBC/IRC with Kentucky amendments; applicable Kentucky plumbing, electrical, HVAC, fire-safety, manufactured-housing, elevator, and boiler requirements. The joint department also enforces the Georgetown and Scott County Zoning Ordinance and publishes 2018 KRC local design criteria. The current fee schedule states that one-story detached residential accessory structures of 200 square feet or less do not require a building permit. A farmstead exemption is available for qualifying farm dwellings or farm-incidental buildings outside municipal limits, generally on at least 10 acres registered as agricultural or horticultural land, when not commercial/public workplaces for 10 or more people and not timber processing/storage. The farmstead application and $52 exemption fee are required. Confirm other minor repairs or cosmetic work with the department.
Field sequencing matters
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.