Louisville Building Safety: Scaffold & Sidewalk Shed Rules (2026)

Kentucky OSHA enforces 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L scaffold standards on private and public job sites, including supported, suspended, and aerial-lift scaffolds. Erection and dismantling must be supervised by a competent person, and platforms require guardrails, toeboards, and fall protection above ten feet. Louisville Metro Public Works issues right-of-way and sidewalk-closure permits when scaffolding extends beyond the property line, often paired with pedestrian protection canopies. Louisville Fire Department reviews scaffold layouts on tall buildings to ensure aerial-apparatus access. Insurance certificates and traffic-control plans are typically required before permit issuance.