If you're starting a construction project in Louisville, Kentucky, understanding how to pull the right permits can save you major time and frustration.
Whether you're building out a commercial space, adding a new deck, or overseeing an AC install, this guide covers everything about the Louisville building permit process, from requirements and fees to inspections and closeout.
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What requires a building permit in Louisville?
According to the Louisville KY Building Department, you need a permit for any construction that involves:
- New construction (houses, additions, garages, commercial buildings, accessory structures over the exemption size)
- Additions / enlargements (room additions, expanding a footprint, adding a story)
- Structural changes (moving/removing load-bearing walls, structural beams, major framing changes)
- Alterations/repairs that are more than “finish work” (example: remodels that change structural, egress, or building systems)
- Change of occupancy / change of use (example: turning a space into a different use type)
- Decks that are attached to the house, or are larger/taller than the exemption (or serve as a required exit)
- Retaining walls over 4 feet (or walls that support a surcharge/extra load)
- Fences that exceed the exemption height (commonly, over 7 feet)
What doesn’t require a building permit?
Some minor projects are exempt from permits if they don’t affect structure or safety. Common examples include:
- One-story detached accessory structures (residential) used like a small shed/playhouse <200 sq ft
- One-story detached accessory structures (commercial) like small storage sheds <120 sq ft
- Fences not over 7 feet
- Retaining walls not over 4 feet (when measured per code)
- Sidewalks and driveways (with limits in the commercial code if elevated/over stories/basements)
- Cosmetic finish work like painting, wallpaper, tile, carpet, cabinets, countertops and similar interior finish updates
- Swings / playground equipment (typical residential accessory items)
- Some small, specific “minor repair” items (especially for certain trade categories), as defined in code
- Very limited deck exemption (residential): decks <200 sq ft, not attached, <30 inches above grade, and not serving a required exit door
Louisville building permit fees
Permit fees in Louisville are based on total project valuation. Here’s a general breakdown of typical building permit fees:
Building permit fees (fee per sq ft)
Building permit add-on fees and minimums
Louisville trade permits
Electrical permits
Issued for all wiring, panels, and electrical service upgrades.
Mechanical (HVAC) permits
Covers furnaces, air conditioners, ventilation systems, and ducting.
Residential and multi-family systems
Commercial / non-residential systems (based on installation cost)
Inspections + other HVAC permit types
Other special permits
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How to get a building permit in Louisville, KY
If you plan to construct, enlarge, remodel, or change the occupancy of a building in Louisville/Jefferson County, you will usually need a building permit through the Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government Construction Review Division.
Most applications are handled online through the Louisville Metro Business Portal (Accela Citizen Access), where you can apply, upload plans, track review status, and pay fees.
Step 1: Prepare your documents
Start by compiling the items that Louisville Construction Review expects to see with a building permit application:
- Completed building permit application:
- Site plan that shows setbacks
- Construction plans
- MSD ESPC form if your project disturbs the soil
- MSD flood permit if required
- Project description, square footage, and estimated cost
Tip: Louisville’s submission examples show what reviewers often want to see on a site plan and in drawings.
Step 2: Confirm if you need separate trade permits
Louisville’s building permit application warns that certain work is not included with the building permit and needs separate permits/applications (examples include electrical, HVAC, fire suppression/detection, and signs).
Also, if you are building a detached structure (like a detached garage), Louisville notes it needs its own building permit record.
Step 3: Apply online through the portal
Log into the Louisville Metro Business Portal and start Apply for Permits.
Louisville’s internal step-by-step guide highlights a few practical tips:
- Use Save and Resume Later if you need to stop mid-sub
- Upload your plans and forms, then identify each file type (example: “construction plans,” “site plan/survey,” and “document” for MSD forms)
- After submission, you can click View Summary to save/print your application record
Step 4: Plan review and corrections
Your application will move through review steps, and the portal will show status by department/reviewer. Louisville’s guide shows where to check “Processing Status,” and where reviewer comments and revision requests are located.
Step 5: Pay permit fees and activate the permit
Once approved, you will see fees due in the portal and can pay online. Email Construction Review after paying online so the team can confirm and move the record for approval.
Step 6: Post the permit and keep approved plans on site
After issuance, print your permit and keep it available on the job site for inspections and verification.
Permit inspections in Louisville
Most permits issued through Louisville Metro Government require inspections at key stages. You are responsible for requesting inspections when the work is ready, and the work should be at the right stage and accessible to the inspector.
Common inspections
Exact inspection requirements depend on the permit type, but these come up a lot:
- Footings / foundation
- Framing
- Rough-in inspections (electrical / plumbing / HVAC, when those permits apply)
- Final inspection (often needed to close the permit and get approvals like a CO, when required)
How to schedule an inspection
Option A: Call Construction Review
Louisville’s “Request an Inspection” instructions say:
- Call (502) 574-3321 and choose Option 2
- Construction Review general contact and office hours are listed as (502) 574-3321, with Customer Service 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (Mon–Fri) (cashier hours are shorter)
When you call, be ready with:
- Permit/record number (best) or job address
- The inspection you need (foundation, framing, final, etc.)
- A contact name + phone number
- Site access details (gate code, where to park, who to ask for on site)
Your request is relayed to the appropriate inspector, and then the inspector contacts you to schedule.
Option B: Request the inspection in the online portal (Accela)
If your permit is in the Louisville Metro Business Portal (Accela), you can usually schedule from your record:
- Log in to the Metro Business Portal
- Go to My Records (or open your permit record)
- Open the Inspections section
- Choose Schedule / Request Inspection
- Pick the inspection type, submit the request, and add notes for the inspector
Video walkthroughs show this same flow (open record → Inspections → Actions/Schedule).
What to expect on inspection day
An inspector may contact you to confirm details or access.
If something doesn’t pass, you’ll correct it and request a reinspection (and some permits/sections can have extra inspection fees depending on the permit type).
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Louisville permitting resources
- Louisville Metro Department of Codes and Regulations
- Address: 444 S. 5th Street, Suite 200 Louisville, KY 40202
- Phone: (502) 574-2508
- Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday - Friday
- Louisville permit portal
- Louisville building permits search
- Building permit info page
- Licenses, permits & applications
- Louisville building code
- Permit fees
- Louisville’s submittal examples
- Submitting permits PDF guide
- Applications:
- Inspections:
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