When you need a Louisville Metro permit
You need a permit for: new construction, additions, structural changes, electrical beyond simple fixture swaps, new plumbing or moving plumbing, HVAC system replacement, new windows if structural changes are needed, decks over 30 inches high, retaining walls over 4 feet, fences over 7 feet, swimming pools, demolitions. You do NOT need a permit for: cosmetic work, painting, flooring, cabinets, replacing fixtures in same location, simple fence repair.
What you will need to submit
A completed permit application. 2 sets of construction drawings showing existing and proposed layout. A site plan showing setbacks and the addition location on your lot. Structural drawings sealed by a Kentucky-licensed engineer (for any addition or structural change). A current property survey or plot plan. For historic district work: Landmarks Commission approval BEFORE the building permit is issued.
Louisville Metro permit fees in 2026
Building permit: $0.10 per sq ft of new construction, with a $50 minimum. Electrical permit: $50 flat for residential. Plumbing permit: $50 flat for residential. HVAC permit: $50 flat for residential. Plan review fee: 25% of the building permit cost. For a typical 500 sq ft addition with full mechanical: about $200-$300 in permits.
Timeline from application to permit in hand
Straightforward projects (no zoning, no historic district, no flood plain): 2-4 weeks. Projects with zoning or flood plain review: 4-8 weeks. Projects in historic district overlay: 4-12 weeks (Landmarks Commission meets monthly). Complex projects with variances: 2-6 months.
What inspections you will need
Foundation (before pour). Framing (after rough-in). Electrical rough-in. Plumbing rough-in. HVAC rough-in. Insulation. Drywall. Final electrical, plumbing, HVAC, building. Each inspection must pass before the next one happens. You or your contractor schedule them.
How to check if your contractor pulls permits
Two ways: (1) Ask for the permit card. Every Louisville Metro permit generates a card that must be posted on the job site. (2) Search the Louisville Metro permitting portal at https://aca-prod.accela.com/LJCMO/ by address or contractor name. If your contractor is not in the system, no permit was pulled.
What happens if you do not pull a permit
Louisville Metro can issue a stop-work order, require you to open the walls for inspection, fine you $100-$1,000 per day, and require you to remove unpermitted work. When you sell, unpermitted work must be disclosed and can reduce your sale price by the cost to permit AND bring the work to current code. Insurance companies can deny claims for unpermitted work.
Indiana permits (Clark and Floyd counties)
Each county has its own building department. Clark County: 812-285-6275. Floyd County: 812-948-5430. Fees are similar to Louisville but with different schedules. Expect 4-6 week turnaround for straightforward projects. Both require engineering for structural work. Neither has a local historic district overlay (state and federal historic still apply).
How we handle permits
We pull every permit for our clients. We schedule every inspection. We pay every fee. Our permit fee is included in your contract. We pre-check zoning and historic district status before we sign a contract, so you never get surprised by a 3-month variance process mid-project.