Building Services

• 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.

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

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.

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

All swimming pools require a barrier.

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

Permits are required as well as possible stormwater requirements.

Effective June 25, 2026, mobile homes, manufactured homes and modular homes are subject to the following requirements:

MOBILE HOME: A residential structure manufactured prior to the enactment of the Federal Manufactured Housing and Construction Standards, also known as the HUD Code, on June 15, 1976. Mobile homes are no longer being constructed.

MANUFACTURED HOME: A single family residential dwelling constructed after June 15, 1976, in accordance with the National Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974, 42 U.S.C. Section 5401, et seq., as amended, and designed to be used as a single-family residential dwelling with or without permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities, and which includes the plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical systems contained therein.

QUALIFIED MANUFACTURED HOME: A manufactured home that meets all of the following criteria:

1. Is manufactured on a date not to exceed five (5) years prior to the date of installation and has all parts that operate only during transport removed;
2. Is affixed to a permanent foundation and is connected to the appropriate facilities and is installed in compliance with KRS 227.570; Permanent foundation for the purposes of this section shall mean a system of supports that is:
   1. Capable of transferring, without failure, into soil or bedrock, the maximum design load imposed by or upon the structure and complies with KRS 227.570;
   2. Constructed with materials that are compatible with surrounding residential structures so long as the materials do not compromise the structural engineering of the home in conflict with KRS 227.570; and
   3. Placed at a depth below grade adequate to prevent frost damage, in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation requirements and KRS 227.570.
3. Has a width of at least twenty (20) feet at its smallest width measurement or is two (2) stories in height and oriented on the lot or parcel so that its main entrance door faces the street; and
4. Has a minimum total living area of nine hundred (900) square feet.

MODULAR HOME: 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.

COMPATIBILITY STANDARDS (AG (< 2 acres), R-E, RS-1A, RS-1B, RS-1C and RS-1D). The following compatibility standards are designed to ensure that all homes placed in the aforementioned residential zones are compatible, in terms of assessed value, with existing housing located within a one eighth (1/8) mile or less radius from the proposed location of any new home. All new homes must comply with the following compatibility standards:

1. All new homes must be oriented to face the street. In the case of a corner lot, any new home shall face the street of which a majority of the homes on the same block face are oriented. In the City of Woodburn, the property owner may choose which street the home faces.
2. All new homes must meet at least three* of the following criteria:
   1. Incorporate a minimum 4:12 roof pitch;
   2. Contain a covered front porch containing at least 24 sq. ft. under roof;
   3. Include a building foundation with 5 or more corners (not including porches);
   4. Incorporate an attached garage;
   5. Has an upper story or half story with conditioned living space;
   6. Incorporate the same or higher quality exterior materials compared to existing residential structures.
      * In the City of Woodburn, new homes are only required to meet two of the above-listed criteria.

 Important Notes
For all other questions, please contact the City-County Planning Commission at 270.842.1953.

• Kentucky Residential
• Kentucky Building

See the information from our inspections section above.

Visit the Electrical Inspections page for our fee schedule and you may reply for an electrical inspection using our online application portal.

All electric services are contracted to Green River Electrical Inspection Service, 270-999-2844, [email protected]

Contact the City-County Planning Commission 270.842.1953 or visit warrenpc.org

Contact the City-County Planning Commission 270.842.1953 or visit warrenpc.org

Contact Code Enforcement at 270-843-5305 for County complaints. If you are within Bowling Green city limits, contact 270-393-3000.

All decks require a permit. They must be built according to the 2013 Kentucky Residential Code. Specifically Section R507.

A handrail is required for ALL sets of stairs with four (4) or more risers. The height of the handrail shall not be less than 34 inches and not more than 38 inches. All handrails shall be graspable. They shall ne build according to the 2013 Kentucky Residential Code Specifically Section R311.7.8

• A guardrail is required along open-sided walking surfaces, including stairs, ramps, and landings, that are located more than 30 inches measured vertically to the floor or grade below any point within 36 inches horizontally to the edge of the open side.
• Insect screens do not count as guards.
• They shall not be less than 36 inches in height.
• Guards shall not have openings which allow the passage of a 4 inch sphere.

A handrail is used for 4 or more rises. A guard is required when a grade change of 30 or more inches occurs.

• One in each bedroom
• Outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms
• One on each additional story including basements and habitable attics

A carbon monoxide detector is required in all new residential construction if the home has an attached garage or a fuel fired appliance. They shall be placed outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms.

Safety Glazing is required in all hazardous locations as defined by Section R308 of the 2013 Kentucky Building Code

• Glazing in Doors
  • Exceptions: glazing with a dimension smaller than 3”
  • Decorative glazing
• Glazing adjacent to doors
• Glazing in windows if all of the following conditions are met.
  • Exposed area is larger than 9 square feet
  • The bottom edge is less than 18 inches above the floor
  • The top edge of glazing is more than 36 inches off the floors
  • One or more walking surfaces measured horizontally and in a straight line, of the glazing
• Glazing in guards or railings
• Glazing in walls, enclosures, or fences containing hot tubs, spas, whirlpools, saunas steam rooms, bathtubs, showers, and swimming pools where the bottom exposed edge of the glazing is less than 60 inches measured vertically above any standing or walking surface.
• Glazing adjacent to stair and ramps
• Glazing adjacent to the bottom stair landing

The requirements for sidewalk construction are based on the zoning of the property, as well as any subdivision or private restrictions. For additional information, contact the City-County Planning Commission at 270.842.1953 or visit www.warrenpc.org.