Building Services

The Division for Building Services is responsible for enforcement of the Kentucky Building/Residential Codes and National Electric Code for new construction, alteration, relocation, demolition, and/or change of occupancy for buildings and structures in Warren County (excluding Bowling Green and Oakland).

Online Portal

View your applications and inspection results

Apply for Electrical Permits

Visit the Electrical Inspections page for fee schedule and details.

Building Permit Applications

The building permit application process varies based on project. Read through this list to determine which steps you need to take when applying for a building permit.

Step 1 – Fill Out a Building Permit Application

Select the relevant building permit application from the following list:

• Building Permit Residential
• Apartment Building
• Fence
• Manufactured or Modular Home
• Swimming Pool
• Short-Term Rental
• Sign

Step 2 – Include building plans and professionally drawn plot plan

Your application must include a set of building plans and a professionally drawn plot plan.

Step 3 – Provide Site Plans for Accessory Structures

Site plans may replace plot plans for accessory structures that meet the following conditions:

• They take up less than 750 square feet of space
• They are located on more than 5 acres

The following is a list of examples that qualify as accessory structures:

• Additions
• Barns
• Garages
• Swimming Pools
• Fences
• & More…

If Providing Site Plans:

If you are providing a site plan, you must include the applicable cross-section, which you can download from the following list:

• One story with a basement
• Two story with a basement
• One story with a crawl space
• Two story with a crawl space
• Typical Unvented Crawl Space
• One story with a slab on grade
• Two story with a slab on grade

Step 4 – Provide Additional Information for Specific Conditions

Effective Aug 17, 2022 – New Requirement for All Inground Swimming Pool Building Permit Applications

Download this memo outlining new requirements to include additional information for building permit applications.

There are specific conditions which require additional information as follows:

Are you creating a new entrance onto a county road?

Are you unable to provide sufficient water pressure of 250gmp at 20psi?

If you are unable to provide sufficient water pressure for a single family residence, then one of three options must be met as defined on the fire protection requirement waiver.

Will you disturb more than one acre?

If so, then a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) is required. If an existing SWPPP is not in place or you do not know if one is in place, please contact the Division for Stormwater Management to confirm.

Step 5 – Confirm You’re A Properly Licensed Contractor

All contractors working in Warren County are required to obtain a contractor’s license along with an occupational business license.

Step 6 – Submit the Application to Our Office

Once all required applications and documentation are submitted to the Division for Building and Electrical services, a review period of five business days will begin.

If during the review process a violation or other item of concern is discovered, the appropriate agency(s) will contact you to help resolve the issue. Such issues may result in an extended review period or denial of a permit.

After the five day review period, the building permit will be issued once the building permit fee has been paid.

Contact Us

Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-4pm

Key Contacts

Warren County Building Inspector: Craig Hunt

Bowling Green Building Inspector

State Building Inspector: James Jackson

Warren County Electric Inspectors:

Eric Woosley

Kevin Atchley

Report Stormwater Concerns

Warren County Property Maintenance Inspector: Joe Manning

State Manufactured Housing Inspector: Rodney Farrar

Plumbing Inspector

Office: 270.781.2490 Ext.121 or 122

Ricky “Rick” Stamper

David Mercer

Septic Inspector: Cameron Carver

HVAC Inspector: Marty Harlan

Document Archives

• September 2022 Memo to Builders
• 2022 Ordinance Establishing the Building Permit Schedule
• 2022 Ordinance Amending the Electrical Fee Permit Schedule

Additional Links

• 2021 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) – We enforce Chapters 1,2,3
• Zoning Ordinance
• Contractors Licensing
• 2018 Kentucky Residential Code, 2nd Edition
• 2018 Kentucky Building Code, 2nd Edition
• Downtown District Design Guidelines

Inspections

General Contractors shall call the Building services office to schedule an inspection at 270-843-5360. Allow at least two business days for inspections to be completed.

Approved contractors may use the online portal to request inspections. Please contact the Building services department for further information.

It is the duty of the building permit holder or their duly authorized agent to notify the building inspector’s official of when work is ready for inspection while allowing at least two business days for inspections to be completed.

Certificates of occupancy will not be issued until all required inspections are approved.

Inspection Schedule

1. Footings: once excavation is complete with any loose soils removed, grade pins set at required depth, reinforcement tied in place and prior to placement of concrete.
2. Foundation/Underfloor: once foundation work is complete with vents, piers, anchor bolts and floor system installed excluding sub-floor for a crawlspace, prior to placement of concrete for slab on grade. (Required beginning January 1, 2023)
3. Framing: once all structural members, windows and exterior water-resistive barriers are installed.
4. Energy Efficiency: once all insulation has been installed that will be concealed by interior coverings and all applicable rough-in inspections are approved. (Required beginning January 1, 2023)
5. Final: at time of completion but prior to occupancy and all applicable final inspections are approved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1 - What is the permit fee schedule?

• Per Warren County Fiscal Court Resolution 21-54: Each building permit fee for all classification groups shall be calculated by multiplying that total building area under construction by $0.15 per square foot. Minimum $45 for a permit. *Subject to change.
• Exceptions to the above fee schedule shall include, but not be limited to: swimming pools, demolition permits, electrical service meter poles, decks, fences, cellular tower and signs which shall be charged a flat fee of $45.
• If, during inspection, a building is discovered to be used for a purpose other than stated on the building permit, the Certificate of Occupancy shall be held until the fee is adjusted and paid.
• A Fine of at least $500.00 will be charged to any permit applicant that began construction without first receiving a permit for construction.

Question 2 - Do I need a permit if I’m zoned agriculture?

Yes, all new construction in Warren County requires a permit.

Question 3 - Do I need a plot plan?

All new residential and commercial applications require a professionally done plot plan, by a surveyor or licensed engineer. If your proposed new construction is over 750 square feet, on less than 5 acres, a professional plot plan is also required.

Question 4 - Do above ground pools require permits?

Yes, all pools require a permit, both above and in-ground.

Question 5 - Do I need a fence around my swimming pool?

All swimming pools require a barrier. See Appendix G for specifications.

Question 6 - Do storage sheds require permits?

Storage sheds starting at 120 square feet (10 x 12) do require a permit.

Question 7 - What are the grading and/or paving requirements?

Permits are required as well as possible stormwater requirements.

Question 8 - What are the mobile home requirements?

As per changes to the Zoning Ordinance, effective March 20, 2015; Mobile Homes, by definition, are no longer allowed to be moved within Warren County, voluntarily**. Manufactured and Modular homes are still permitted.

Manufactured Home

Definition: A single-family residential dwelling fabricated at an off-site facility that meets all of the criteria below:

• Is a new unit that meets or exceeds the HUD code and has a HUD Label affixed
• Is affixed to a permanent foundation meeting state and manufacturer’s specifications and is connected to the appropriate facilities;
• Has a perimeter skirting of masonry or similar material that harmonizes with the architectural style of the home and other residences in the same area;
• Has a roof constructed of composite material (such as asphalt shingles) with a minimum roof pitch of a three-foot rise to a twelve-foot run; and
• Has a conventional residential siding.

Mobile Home

Definition: A structure for residential use which:

• Does not meet the definition of a manufactured home;
• Is a unit that meets or exceeds the HUD code and has a HUD Label affixed. OR is a used unit with a “B1” seal affixed;
• Is transportable on its own chassis; and
• Is designed for year-round living when connected to the appropriate facilities.

Modular Home

Definition: A dwelling unit constructed on-site in accordance with the state or municipal code and composed of components substantially assembled in a manufacturing plant and transported to the building site for final assembly on a permanent foundation.

Important Notes

Refer to the City-County Planning Commission and the Zoning Ordinance for all other questions.

Exemptions for Mobile Homes:

• If property is currently a 2 plus acre tract Zoned RR – Rural Residential.
• Previous Mobile Home was lost Involuntarily, by “Act of God” within a maximum six month time frame; ie. lost to fire damage. In such cases, a dated report from a Fire Inspector is required at time of permit application. This inspection and permit application must fall within said six month’s from date of loss.