McCracken County, KY Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Section 70.01 of the McCracken County Code adopts, in full, the State Building Code and the State Residential Code promulgated by Kentucky's Board of Housing, Buildings and Construction, applying them as if written out at length in the county's own ordinance; a copy is kept on file with the County Clerk, and an attested copy of the chapter is sent to the state Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction. Section 70.04 then ties a permit requirement to that adopted code, directing that fees for permits and inspections follow the schedule in Chapter 71.

That fee schedule, § 71.01, sets building plan review and inspection fees by occupancy classification and square footage, for example $0.15 per square foot for the first floor of assembly, business, education, mercantile or residential uses with a $150 minimum, and separate flat fees for accessory structures, pools, shell buildings and demolition. Before a permit issues, § 70.07 requires the applicant to supply a Kentucky Employer ID number and proof of workers' compensation insurance (or, for electrical work, $250,000 in liability insurance), and to secure sign-off from the County Planning and Zoning Administrator, County Health Department, County Tax Administrator and County Floodplain Administrator where applicable.

A private citizen building their own single-family residence for personal use, not for resale, is exempt from the workers'-compensation insurance requirement, though any subcontractor they hire is not. Section 70.05 makes clear that an issued permit is not a guarantee against defects or hazards discovered later.