Q: When is a building permit required?
Q: Who will issue the building permit?
Q: What plans do I need to submit for your review?
Q: How many sets of plans do I need to submit?
Q: Are there any forms I need to submit with my plans?
Q: Is there a fee I need to pay and if so who do I make the check payable to?
Q: Are contractors required to be licensed?
Q: Is an architect or engineer required to prepare my construction drawings?
Q: Who do I send my plans to?
Q: Can I do anything to speed up my plan review?
Q: Do I have to submit plans to the Fire Marshal's Office?
Q: When is a building permit required?
A: A building permit is required when you intend to construct, enlarge, remodel or change the occupancy of a building, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system.
Note: Not all work requires a building permit. Work such as painting, papering, cabinets and counter tops, replacing shingles, window replacement with windows having the same size window opening are examples of work exempt from permit requirements.
If you are unsure whether your project requires a building permit, it is best to call your local building inspection office for guidance or phone the Division of Building Codes Enforcement at 502-573-0373.
Q: Who will issue the building permit?
A: The building permit will be issued by the building inspection office of the authority having jurisdiction. It is important you understand that construction the Division of Building Codes Enforcement does not issue an actual placard entitled "Building Permit" on projects falling under their jurisdiction. Once plans have been reviewed and determined to comply with applicable code, the Division of Building Codes Enforcement will issue a letter stating the project is released for construction. This release for construction does not release the owner from complying with local planning/zoning requirements or the requirement to obtain a local building permit.
Note: The actual placard entitled "Building Permit" will be issued by the local authorities. Local permits shall not be issued for construction projects under the Division of Building Codes Enforcement jurisdiction until the Division of Building Codes Enforcement has issued its letter releasing the project for construction.
Q: What plans do I need to submit for your review?
A: Each construction project is different and the drawings and details necessary vary depending on the scope of work. On Page 6 of the Plan Application Guide (MS Word - 835KB), you will find a list of drawings, details and documents that may need to be submitted as part of your permit application to the Division of Building Codes Enforcement. Not all the information identified may be applicable to your project. If you have questions, you are encouraged to call the Division of Building Codes Enforcement at 502-573-0373 to be sure you have the right information.
- All construction plans and details are to be drawn to scale and fully dimensioned.
- If your construction project falls under local jurisdiction, you are encouraged to contact your local building inspector for the information they require to process a building permit.
Q: How many sets of plans do I need to submit?
A: When submitting to the Division of Building Codes Enforcement, you only need to submit one set of construction documents, this includes plans for sprinkler, fire alarm and rangehood systems.
Q: Are there any forms I need to submit with my plans?
A: There are several forms that are important but none so much as the plan application form, (MS Word - 797KB). If your project is a modular unit (Kentucky Industrialized Building System); you will need to submit the KIBS Site Application form (MS Word - 794KB) instead of the plan application form referenced above. This form is to be submitted with each initial plan submission. Without this form, plans can not be logged in for plan review purposes. When a set of plans arrives without the plan application form, every effort is made to locate a name and phone number of someone to contact and request the application form. The form is to be completed, with all information pertinent to your project, however, not all items on the application form may be applicable. The building name and address and the name and address of a contact person is of the utmost importance. By asking for the name and address of an architect and engineer is not to imply that an architect and engineer are required. If one or both are part of the construction design, we ask that their name and address be provided.
Other forms that may be necessary are:
- Sprinkler Design Criteria (MS Word - 667KB). This completed form is required before any release for building construction can be issued, including site and foundation approval, for all projects required to be sprinkled or are utilizing a sprinkler system for anyone of the various code tradeoffs associated with a sprinkler system. The completed form shall bear the seal and signature of a Kentucky licensed engineer or NICET Level III fire protection engineer.
- Energy conservation calculations. Various software packages are available that will aid in determining compliance with the energy code. The Department of Energy has a link on their Web site, http://www.energycodes.gov/, to free software that will assist you with commercial and residential energy code compliance tools.
- If your project is required to have special inspections performed during the construction process, as required by Section 1704 of the Kentucky Building Code, (MS Word - 1105KB) a statement of special inspections prepared by the registered design professional in responsible charge shall be submitted with the initial plan submission. A release for construction, including footing and foundation approval, can not be issued until this statement is submitted. The Structural Engineers Association of Kentucky (SEAOK) has developed a "Statement of Special Inspections" form letter that you might find appropriate for your project. The form letter can be printed from the publications page of their web site, http//:www.seaok.org (
).
- Earthquake load design data. The following earthquake design data shall be submitted with the initial plan submission:
- Seismic importance factor, I, and occupancy category,
- Mapped spectral response accelerations, Ss and S1,
- Site class,
- Spectral response coefficients, SDS and SD1,
- Seismic design category, (for assistance in determining the seismic design category, click here)
- Basic seismic-force-resisting system(s),
- Design base sheer,
- Seismic response coefficient(s), Cs,
- Response modification factor(s), R,
- Analysis procedure used.
- If your construction project includes any pre-engineered components (i.e. roof truss systems, metal building systems, pole barn structure, etc.), these construction drawings and associated details shall be submitted as part of the building structural design. These drawings shall also bear the seal and signature of a design professional licensed in Kentucky.
Q: Is there a fee I need to pay and if so who do I make the check payable to?
A: Plan review / inspection fees are identified in Section 121 of the Kentucky Building Code (MSWord 1105kb). Click the following link for fee schedule worksheet (MS Word - 712KB) which has been developed to assist with calculating the required fee for your project.
Q: Are contractors required to be licensed?
A: There are certain aspects of building construction that is required to be performed by a licensed contractor. Click here (MS Word - 39KB) for a list those services that are required to be performed by a licensed contractor.
Q: Is an architect or engineer required to prepare my construction drawings?
A: KRS 322 and KRS 323 identify when the services of a design professional is required to prepare a set of construction drawings. Table 122.1 of the Kentucky Building Code (MS Word - 1105KB) is intended to explain when a design professional is required based on the occupancy classification of a building and the building occupant load and/or building area.
Q: Who do I send my plans to?
A: If your construction project falls under the jurisdiction of the Division of Building Codes Enforcement, your plans and plan application form (MS Word - 797KB) will need to be submitted to Building Codes Enforcement.
Q: Can I do anything to speed up my plan review?
A: The Division of Building Codes Enforcement has a program called the "Fast Track Program" or "Expedited Footing and Foundation Review" which will reduce the amount of time before a site and foundation review can occur. To apply for an "expedited footing and foundation review," the following steps are to be followed:
- Construction plans, plan application form (MS Word - 797KB) seismic design data, fire suppression design criteria form and special inspection report shall be received by the close of business on any given Wednesday and the footing and foundation review will take place that following Friday afternoon.
- Mark the expedited footing and foundation box on the plan application form.
- The plan review fee and expedited fee shall be paid with your plan submission. Click here (MS Word - 712KB) for a fee schedule worksheet which has been developed to assist with calculating the required fee for your project.
- It is important to understand that the "Fast Track Program" or "Expedited Footing and Foundation Review" does not guarantee a permit will be issued or the full building plan review will be processed quicker. This program simply expedites the review of the footing and foundation system.
Q: Do I have to submit plans to the Fire Marshal's Office?
A: No. The Fire Marshal's Office is not responsible for the review or inspection of new structures, renovations, additions or change of occupancy construction projects.