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
Chief Building Official Jon Chandler: 270-586-3356; Planning and Zoning Administrator Mikala McClain: 270-586-3356; Simpson County Fiscal Court general questions: 270-586-7184
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
Simpson County Planning and Zoning / Joint City-County Planning and Zoning Commission; Chief Building Official Jon Chandler 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 Chief Building Official Jon Chandler: 270-586-3356; Planning and Zoning Administrator Mikala McClain: 270-586-3356; Simpson County Fiscal Court general questions: 270-586-7184.
The administrative official is required to act on a building-permit application within two weeks of submission. A final inspection is required within one week after notice that the property is ready for occupancy. A permit becomes void after 180 days unless substantial progress has been made, with renewal available before expiration after review.
Submit through the Simpson County online permits portal at scntypermits.permitlvonline.com and request inspections through scntyinspect.permitlvonline.com. Contact Chief Building Official Jon Chandler at 270-586-3356 for project-specific inspection coordination. The 2026 regulations require a final inspection within one week after the owner notifies the administrative official that the property is ready for occupancy; the permit office issues a certificate of occupancy after approval.
Simpson County's February 3, 2026 zoning regulations require building permits for construction, erection, moving, additions, structural alterations, and covered excavation, subject to stated exceptions. The local program operates under Kentucky's uniform building-code framework; current DHBC references include the 2018 Kentucky Building Code and 2018 Kentucky Residential Code based on the 2015 IBC/IRC, plus applicable mechanical, energy, fire, plumbing, electrical, accessibility, boiler, and NFPA requirements. The 2026 zoning regulations exempt recurring maintenance work, buildings and uses specifically exempted by the regulations, and required improvements installed under an approved subdivision plat. Excavation related to agricultural uses, public utilities, or an approved subdivision does not require the listed excavation permit. Confirm whether a particular cosmetic, accessory, agricultural, or utility project falls within an exemption 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.