Monroe County, Kentucky Building Permit Guide

The Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction’s contact sheet for Monroe County, updated September 10, 2026, lists one local building inspector who is also named as the county’s HVAC inspector, with state inspectors for electrical, plumbing and manufactured housing. Buildings in the local program’s scope are reviewed locally and the largest go to the state; whether a single-family house needs a local permit depends on the local ordinance, so ask the inspector listed on the sheet. Septic permits come from the Monroe County Health Department in Tompkinsville.

What requires a building permit in Monroe County?

The 2018 Kentucky Building Code divides review between local programs and the Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (HBC). Section 104.15 gives a local program the smaller buildings, section 104.16 keeps the larger and higher-risk ones for the state, and houses are reviewed locally only where a city or county ordinance extends its program to them. Monroe County has a local building inspector on the state sheet; the ordinance behind that program sets which buildings it covers and what it charges, so ask the inspector for a copy.

Where a county has no program for single-family homes, HBC says the builder must still follow the Kentucky Residential Code but only the mechanical systems and the wiring are inspected. That makes the scope of Monroe County’s local program the main question for anyone building a house here.

What the county decides and what the state holds

A local building program covers what its ordinance says and charges what that ordinance sets. The state sheet shows a local program in place, with a local inspector who also handles HVAC. HBC keeps the large buildings in section 104.16, the plumbing permit, manufactured housing oversight and the trade licenses; for electrical inspections the sheet tells applicants to contact the county judge’s office or the city where the work is done.

Who handles Monroe County building permits?

The state sheet is the published source for who inspects in Monroe County. It names the local building inspector, gives that inspector’s contact details and lists the same person under HVAC; open the sheet below for the details. HBC’s separate list of local HVAC jurisdictions, updated May 13, 2025, does not include Monroe County, so ask whether your HVAC permit is bought locally or from HBC through SmartGov.

Cities in Monroe County

Monroe County permit types

Permits in Monroe County come from three places: the local inspector for buildings in the local program, HBC for the large buildings and the state trade permits, and the health department for septic systems.

Residential permits

For a house, start by asking the local inspector whether the county program requires a building permit for your project. Whatever the answer, the electrical permit, the HVAC permit for the new system, the state plumbing permit and, without sewer, the septic permit still apply. Manufactured homes are installed by HBC-certified installers, and HBC’s Manufactured Housing section inspects used homes entering Kentucky from other states before they are titled.

Building or remodeling a home here? Alliance handles residential permit applications, so the crew isn't waiting on the counter.

Commercial permits

Smaller commercial buildings fall to the local program under section 104.15. Buildings on the state’s list in section 104.16, by size, occupant load or use, go to HBC, which charges a plan review fee on the floor area measured from the outside walls: 15 cents per sq ft for business, mercantile, residential, storage and educational uses, 16 cents for assembly, institutional and high-hazard uses, 13 cents for utility buildings, with a $285 minimum. State fees are paid by check to the Kentucky State Treasurer, and construction approval waits until they are paid.

For tenant improvements and new commercial builds, Alliance handles commercial building permits through issuance. More on this: commercial building permits explained.

What comes before the building permit

• Septic. A site evaluation and construction permit from the Monroe County Health Department, 452 East 4th Street, where there is no sewer.
• Water and sewer in Tompkinsville. Apply for service through the city’s online utility portal or at the city office.
• State highway access. A Kentucky Transportation Cabinet encroachment permit (form TC 99-1A) for a driveway onto a state route, through District 3 in Bowling Green.
• Business license. Tompkinsville issues and renews city business licenses through its online portal; ask City Hall whether your contractor needs one.
• Floodplain. Mapped flood areas appear on FEMA’s map for the county (effective July 17, 2012); ask the county judge’s office about local floodplain approval.

Monroe County permit costs and fees

Ask the local inspector for the county’s building and HVAC fees before you budget; they are set locally. The state fees that apply in Monroe County are published by HBC:

Example from the state plumbing schedule: a house with 10 plumbing openings pays $50 + 10 x $14 = $190 for its state plumbing permit. Septic evaluation and permit fees are set by the health department (270-487-6782).

Trade permits and who may pull them

• Electrical. Every electrical installation needs a permit and an inspection by a certified electrical inspector. The Monroe County sheet lists a state electrical inspector and tells applicants to ask the county judge’s office or the city about a local electrical inspector. HBC licenses electricians, and a homeowner may wire their own home with a permit.
• HVAC. HBC requires an HVAC permit for all new construction, available only to licensed or authorized people. The sheet names the local inspector as the county’s HVAC inspector, while HBC also lists a state HVAC inspector for Monroe County, so confirm with the local inspector which office issues your permit.
• Plumbing. A state permit from HBC’s Division of Plumbing, issued to licensed master plumbers or to homeowners for plumbing in their own personal residence. All other plumbing is installed by a licensed journeyman under a master plumber. The state plumbing inspector’s office hour is Wednesday morning at the health department.
• Contractors. Kentucky has no general contractor license; for work inside Tompkinsville, ask City Hall about its business license.

How to apply for permits in Monroe County

Review, corrections and what causes delay

For buildings the state reviews, HBC does not approve construction until all fees are paid. Arrange local inspection times ahead with the inspector listed on the state sheet. The health department’s site evaluation and, in Tompkinsville, the city office’s four-day week (closed Fridays) also affect timing.

Inspections in Monroe County

Buildings in the local program are inspected by the local building inspector, who is also listed for HVAC inspections. HBC inspects the buildings it reviews. Electrical work is inspected by a certified electrical inspector, plumbing by the state plumbing inspector and septic systems by the health department. Ask the local inspector which stages the county inspects and whether it issues a certificate of occupancy.

Kentucky building code in Monroe County

FEMA’s Community Status Book lists Monroe County as a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program, with a current flood map dated July 17, 2012.

Kentucky has one mandatory statewide building code that local governments may not add to. Cities and counties enforce it and run zoning. The state reviews plans for larger and higher-risk buildings, and the local program reviews smaller ones. Kentucky rules

Permit search and official resources

State permits and plan approvals can be looked up in HBC’s SmartGov portal. For local permit records, ask the local inspector or the county judge’s office; health department records go through the Monroe County Health Department.

• State contact sheet for Monroe County inspectors
• HBC building codes and jurisdiction
• HBC Division of Building Code Enforcement
• HBC SmartGov portal
• 2018 Kentucky Building Code, 4th edition (sections 104.15–104.16 and fees)
• HBC HVAC permits
• HBC list of local HVAC jurisdictions (May 2025)
• HBC plumbing permits and fees
• HBC manufactured housing
• City of Tompkinsville
• Tompkinsville office hours notice
• Kentucky Transportation Cabinet permit contacts
• KYTC encroachment permit application (TC 99-1A)
• FEMA Community Status Book, Kentucky

Monroe County building-permit FAQ

Who inspects buildings in Monroe County?

The local building inspector listed on HBC’s county sheet, who is also listed as the HVAC inspector; HBC reviews the largest buildings itself.

Do I need a building permit for a new house?

It depends on the scope of the local program, set by its ordinance, so ask the local inspector. Electrical, HVAC and plumbing permits apply either way, plus a septic permit without sewer.

Where do I get a septic permit?

At the Monroe County Health Department, 452 East 4th Street, Tompkinsville (270-487-6782).

Can a homeowner get a plumbing permit?

Yes, for plumbing in their own personal residence, from HBC; a house permit is $50 plus $14 per opening.

Where do I submit plans for a large commercial building?

To HBC in Frankfort (502-573-0373) or through SmartGov, for buildings section 104.16 of the state code assigns to the state.

When is Tompkinsville’s city office open?

Monday to Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; it has been closed on Fridays since April 1, 2025.

Simplify Monroe County permitting with Alliance Permitting

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Kentucky. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Monroe County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.