Bolthole Index

Daviess County, Kentucky

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Daviess County, Kentucky

53Index Score / 100
#104 of 120 in Kentucky

Daviess County, Kentucky requires building permits for new construction, additions and certain remodeling, issued by the Owensboro Metropolitan Planning Commission (OMPC) except in Whitesville, where the City Clerk oversees residential construction of 12 units or fewer1. OMPC also reviews zoning compliance for Owensboro and Daviess County, while Whitesville handles its own zoning process23. Septic permits are separate: Green River District Health Department administers onsite sewage in Daviess County4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for new buildings, additions and certain remodeling in the OMPC-administered area1
Zoning
Yes — OMPC administers county zoning; Whitesville uses a separate process23
Septic
Green River District Health Department runs the onsite sewage program4
Owner-builder
A narrow HVAC exemption covers an owner who owns and occupies the property; no general exemption confirmed5
Building inspections
At least three field inspections in the OMPC-administered area6
Septic soils
About 10% of soils rate free of severe limits for a conventional drain field7
RV or tiny home
Private-land occupancy rules are unconfirmed; ask the Planning Commission for the parcel's zoning rules8
Floodplain work
Get an OMPC permit before repair, development or construction in a floodplain9

Who to call

Building permits

Owensboro Metropolitan Planning Commission, Building & Electrical Division

Building, electrical, HVAC, sign and parking-lot permits, certificates of occupancy, and zoning-ordinance enforcement for the City of Owensboro and unincorporated Daviess County

270-687-8650

melissa.evans@owensboro.org

200 E. 3rd Street, Owensboro, KY

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 9, 2026.

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Do you need a building permit in Daviess County, Kentucky?

Yes. New building construction, additions and certain remodeling in the Daviess County area administered by the Owensboro Metropolitan Planning Commission require construction-plan review after an application is received1. The Building & Electrical Division issues building, electrical, HVAC, sign and parking-lot permits8. Kentucky's residential code governs single-family homes, two-family homes and townhouses, with Kentucky amendments controlling where they conflict with the underlying code10. Project requirements depend on zoning, proposed use, building scale, land area, parking, landscaping and vehicular access, so begin with OMPC's preliminary review11. Whitesville uses a separate process for residential construction of 12 units or fewer, so projects there should begin with the City Clerk1.

Who issues building permits, zoning approval and septic permits in Daviess County?

The Owensboro Metropolitan Planning Commission's Building & Electrical Division handles building and electrical permits in the Daviess County area it administers18. Reach the division at 270-687-8650 or visit 200 E. 3rd Street in Owensboro, Kentucky, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.8. The division issues building, electrical, low-voltage, HVAC, sign and parking-lot permits, and certificates of occupancy8. New construction, additions and remodeling in the OMPC-administered area require at least three field inspections: footer-foundation, framing and final inspection for occupancy6. Whitesville separately oversees residential construction of 12 units or fewer6. Building permits and zoning approval stay with OMPC (or the Whitesville City Clerk), but septic permits do not move to either one: onsite sewage permits come from the Green River District Health Department, whichever office handles the building permit4.

Does Daviess County have zoning?

Yes. OMPC reviews development plans for compliance with the zoning ordinance in Owensboro and Daviess County, while the Whitesville City Clerk oversees the stated process in Whitesville23. For a proposed home, confirm that the parcel is an appropriately zoned lot of record before applying; adopted subdivision rules can make some divisions of existing property impossible1213. We could not confirm countywide minimum dwelling size, minimum lot size, setbacks, height, lot coverage, accessory-dwelling rules or an agricultural building exemption. Ask OMPC for the parcel's zoning district and current standards, or ask the Whitesville City Clerk when the property is in Whitesville38.

How do septic permits work in Daviess County?

Green River District Health Department administers onsite sewage in Daviess County under Kentucky requirements4. First determine whether public sanitary sewer reaches the parcel; if onsite sewage is needed, complete the site evaluation before applying for the building permit1412. A septic construction permit requires a detailed drawing, specifications and fees after the evaluation, and normally expires one year after issuance unless extended15. Every covered system must be inspected by a certified inspector, with the installation inspection completed before backfilling16. The state onsite sewage permit fee is $50, plus any additional fee set by the local board of health17. A homeowner may apply to build or alter the septic system for a qualifying personal-use residence, doing the work personally except for excavation and backfilling a certified installer may perform if disclosed, and is limited to one such permit per 5 years18. Only about 10% of Daviess County soils rate free of severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so the evaluation can materially affect the build plan and budget7. We could not confirm current health-department contact details; contact Green River District Health Department before relying on a timeline.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Daviess County?

We could not confirm a Daviess County rule allowing or prohibiting residential RV occupancy, temporary camping or tiny-home occupancy on private land. Ask OMPC what the parcel's zoning district permits before buying land or moving a unit onto it28. One placement rule is confirmed: in Daviess County outside Owensboro, a camping trailer or motor home on property of less than 1 acre may not sit on an unimproved surface for more than 7 consecutive days, unless it is inside a privacy fence or a garage or approved storage building19. That rule governs parking, not whether anyone may live in the vehicle. In the agricultural zones, a manufactured home must connect to public water and sewer when available, otherwise the Daviess County Health Department must approve its sanitary sewer, and unsubdivided agricultural land is limited to one dwelling unit per 10 acres20. Kentucky's rule for sleeping temporarily in a lawfully parked vehicle on a public road, street or parking lot applies only for less than 12 hours and does not answer whether someone may live in an RV on private property21. A site-built tiny home falls within Kentucky's residential-code framework, and new construction in the OMPC-administered area requires the applicable building permit101. We also could not confirm a local minimum dwelling size, so obtain the parcel-specific zoning answer before choosing plans.

Building a home in Daviess County, Kentucky: the steps, in order

  1. Ask OMPC for a preliminary review covering zoning, use, building scale, land area, parking, landscaping and vehicular access11.
  2. Determine whether public sewer, water and gas can serve the lot14.
  3. Where public sewer is unavailable, complete Green River District Health Department's septic site evaluation and obtain the construction permit before the building-permit application41512.
  4. Ask OMPC to confirm driveway requirements for the specific road because no current countywide rule was confirmed11.
  5. If the site is in a floodplain, obtain the OMPC permit before repair, development or construction and ask whether a Kentucky stream construction permit is also required9.
  6. Submit the building-permit application and construction plans required for review1.
  7. Schedule the required footer-foundation, framing and final inspections with the Building & Electrical Division68.

What to check before you buy land in Daviess County, Kentucky

Confirm that the parcel is a buildable lot of record, because adopted regulations can prevent some divisions of existing land1312. Verify the zoning district, utility service, sewage option, driveway access and floodplain status before making an offer1114. Floodplain repair, development or construction requires an OMPC permit before work starts; improvements exceeding 50% of value must meet additional code and permit requirements9. Test the soil before assuming a conventional septic system will work: only about 10% of Daviess County soils rate free of severe drain-field limitations7. Daviess County's effective property-tax rate is about 0.9%, with a median annual bill near $1,5952223. For a private well, Kentucky requires a Kentucky Certified Water Well Driller to construct, modify or abandon it, and the driller must file the required documentation afterward; we could not confirm a separate county well permit, so ask the Green River District Health Department24.

Watch-outs

  • Public sewer availability changes the septic path, so determine whether sanitary sewer serves the parcel before ordering an onsite-sewage evaluation414.
  • Kentucky's owner-builder exemption covers HVAC work by an individual who owns and occupies the property, but we could not confirm a general Daviess County exemption from building-permit requirements5.
  • Kentucky's rule letting you sleep in a vehicle on a public road for under 12 hours does not authorize living in an RV on your own rural land in Daviess County21.
  • A camping trailer or motor home on property under 1 acre in Daviess County outside Owensboro may not stay on an unimproved surface more than 7 consecutive days unless fenced or stored19.

Sources

  1. Building and Electrical, quoted and re-checked
  2. Building and Electrical, quoted and re-checked
  3. iompc.org, quoted and re-checked
  4. Local Health Departments, quoted and re-checked
  5. KRS 198B.674 — Exemptions (2026 county census)
  6. Building and Electrical, quoted and re-checked
  7. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  8. Owensboro Metropolitan Planning Commission, Building & Electrical Division (iompc.org)
  9. Flood Preparedness, quoted and re-checked
  10. 815 KAR 7:125 Kentucky Residential Code, quoted and re-checked
  11. Building and Electrical, quoted and re-checked
  12. New Residential Construction, quoted and re-checked
  13. iompc.org, quoted and re-checked
  14. New Residential Construction, quoted and re-checked
  15. Title 902 Chapter 10 Regulation 085 — Kentucky on-site sewage disposal systems, quoted and re-checked
  16. Title 902 Chapter 10 Regulation 085 — System Installation Inspection, quoted and re-checked
  17. 902 KAR 10:110. Issuance of on-site sewage disposal system permits, quoted and re-checked
  18. 902 KAR 10:110. Issuance of on-site sewage disposal system permits, quoted and re-checked
  19. § 93.06 Parking, Watercraft, Trailers, Motor Homes and Vehicles, quoted and re-checked
  20. Owensboro Metropolitan Zoning Ordinance, Article 8 Schedule of Zones, quoted and re-checked
  21. KRS 511.110 — Unlawful camping (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Water Well Information for Home Owners, quoted and re-checked

Written October 9, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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Compared with neighboring counties

Unlike 4 of its 6 neighbors, Daviess County requires a building permit for a home.

RuleDaviess CountyMcLean CountyHancock CountyOhio CountyHenderson CountyWebster CountyMuhlenberg County
Building permitRequiredRequiredLimitedNot requiredRequiredNot requiredLimited
County zoningYesYesYesNoYesNoNo
Septic permitsGreen River District Health Dept.Green River District Health Dept.Green River District Health Dept.Green River District Health Dept.Green River District Health Dept.Green River District Health Dept.County Health Dept.

County locator

Daviess County in Kentucky

53
County map
Daviess County highlighted among the Kentucky counties · colored by Index score

How Daviess County scores

Seclusion31100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency67100% ev.
Admin Boringness4190% ev.
Durability61100% ev.
Property Autonomy33100% ev.
Carry Cost84100% ev.

Evidence strength: 98%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$222kTypical home
0.9%Property tax
$4,683Land / acre
48.6"Annual rain
4% of yrsSevere drought
12.6 / yr (+11.7)Mid-century 100°F days
14.8 daysMid-century dry spell
2.15" (+8.9%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.79×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,527Home insurance / yr
-0.5% / yrInsurance growth
0.43%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
110,583People within 30 min
2,660,778People within 2 hr
107,475Radius comparison (15 mi)
225.7People / sq mi
0%Federal land
79.6%Land at 15% slope or less
10.4%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
29,011 acWorkable land screen
25.7%Wooded land
57.3 tonsBiomass / forest ac
57.1°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Daviess County

Inside a city or town, that city usually issues building permits and sets zoning; the county’s rules above cover unincorporated land. Septic, wells and floodplain rules usually stay with the county or state everywhere.

Not yet researched: Whitesville

Answers from the rulebook for Daviess County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Daviess County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New construction, remodeling, additions, rehabilitation, electrical, HVAC, sign, parking-lot, and related building work in Owensboro and Daviess County.

    • The OMPC page lists building permits for new construction, remodeling, additions, and rehabilitation.
    • New building construction, additions, and certain remodeling require construction-permit plan review.
    • City of Whitesville administration differs; the City Clerk oversees specified residential construction and zoning processes there.
    • Demolition permits are issued by the City of Owensboro Public Works Department.
    “The Building & Electrical Division issues the following permits: Building Permits for new construction, remodeling, additions, and rehabilitation”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Building permits issued through Owensboro Planning & Zoning for Daviess County projects within its service area.
      “A site plan or approved development plan must be submitted in conjunction with a building permit application.”
    • Required — New building construction, additions, and certain remodeling in Daviess County within the OMPC-administered area.
      “Within the City of Owensboro and Daviess County, new building construction, additions and certain types of remodeling require that this office, upon receipt of an application for a construction permit, review a set of construction plan drawings for compliance with the Kentucky Building Code.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    A homeowner constructing or altering an onsite sewage disposal system serving a qualifying personal-use residence in Daviess County through the Green River District Health Department.

    • The homeowner must apply before construction of any portion of the system.
    • All work must comply with 902 KAR 10:081, 902 KAR 10:085, and 902 KAR 10:110.
    • The work must be personally performed by the homeowner, except necessary excavation and backfilling may be performed by a certified installer if disclosed in the application.
    • Electrical work may require a certified or licensed professional electrician under local electrical codes.
    • No person may receive more than one homeowner permit in a five-year period, except necessary repair or alteration of the originally permitted system.
    • The homeowner definition excludes a builder or contractor engaged in constructing or rehabilitating residential structures for sale or resale.

    homeowner permit frequency: <= 1 permit per 5 years (necessary repair or alteration of the originally permitted system)

    “must obtain a homeowner’s permit through the local health department.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    New residential and commercial-industrial construction, additions, and remodeling in Owensboro and Daviess County.

    • A minimum of three field inspections is required for new construction, additions, and remodeling: footer-foundation, construction framing, and final inspection.
    • Electrical installations require a minimum of two inspections, including rough-in and final.
    • HVAC installations require permitting and inspections.
    • Whitesville has separate City Clerk oversight for specified processes.

    minimum field inspections for building work: >= 3 inspections (footer-foundation, construction framing, and final inspection) · minimum electrical inspections: >= 2 inspections (rough-in and final)

    “Building inspections for new construction, additions and remodeling of both residential and commercial-industrial structures requires a minimum of three (3) field inspections to be conducted by the division. Every new structure must be inspected for footer-foundation, construction framing of all components and a final inspection to grant occupancy.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Residential and commercial-industrial new construction, additions, and remodeling within the OMPC-administered area.
      “Building inspections for new construction, additions and remodeling of both residential and commercial-industrial structures requires a minimum of three (3) field inspections to be conducted by the division. Every new structure must be inspected for footer-foundation, construction framing of all components and a final inspection to grant occupancy.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Occupancy approval for new structures in Owensboro and Daviess County.

    • The final inspection grants occupancy.
    • The Building & Electrical Division issues certificates of occupancy.
    “The Building & Electrical Division issues the following permits: Building Permits for new construction, remodeling, additions, and rehabilitation Electrical Permits/Low Voltage HVAC (Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning) Permits Sign Permits Parking Lot Permits Certificates of Occupancy”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    County zoning in Daviess County, including the unincorporated county area administered through the Owensboro Metropolitan Planning Commission.

    • The cited official planning-commission page states that zoning-ordinance review applies within Daviess County; incorporated municipalities may have separate administrative arrangements.
    • In the City of Whitesville, the City Clerk oversees the stated process.
    “The division issues all building and electrical permits required by the Kentucky Building Code and National Electrical Code. Also, the division is responsible for review and field inspection of development plans for compliance with the Zoning Ordinance within the City of Owensboro and Daviess County. In the City of Whitesville, the City Clerk oversees this process.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present (with conditions) — Daviess County zoning ordinance and amendments.
      “Also, the division is responsible for review and field inspection of development plans for compliance with the Zoning Ordinance within the City of Owensboro and Daviess County.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate conclusion for incorporated and unincorporated portions of Daviess County; local administration differs among Daviess County, Owensboro, and Whitesville.

    • The OMPC reviews zoning compliance in the City of Owensboro and Daviess County.
    • The City Clerk oversees the process in the City of Whitesville.
    • This claim aggregates local zoning authorities and does not imply that Daviess County administers every municipal ordinance.
    “The division issues all building and electrical permits required by the Kentucky Building Code and National Electrical Code. Also, the division is responsible for review and field inspection of development plans for compliance with the Zoning Ordinance within the City of Owensboro and Daviess County. In the City of Whitesville, the City Clerk oversees this process.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Varies (with conditions) — Aggregate local zoning across Daviess County, the City of Owensboro, and the City of Whitesville.
      “Also, the division is responsible for review and field inspection of development plans for compliance with the Zoning Ordinance within the City of Owensboro and Daviess County. In the City of Whitesville, the City Clerk oversees this process.”
    • Present (with conditions) — Local zoning regulation in Daviess County under the Owensboro Metropolitan Zoning Ordinance.
      “06-2026 KOC 921.692 (2026) – An Ordinance Amending Text in Article 8 of the Owensboro Metropolitan Zoning Ordinance.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Parking or placement of camping trailers and motor homes on public or private property of less than one acre in Daviess County outside the corporate limits of the City of Owensboro; the cited provision directly regulates parking/placement rather than expressly authorizing residential occupancy.

    • Parking on an unimproved surface continuously for more than seven consecutive days is unlawful.
    • The restriction does not apply to a boat trailer, camping trailer, watercraft, trailer, motor home or vehicle parked within a privacy fence, or wholly contained in a garage or approved storage building on property of less than one acre.
    • The provision is geographically stated as Daviess County outside the corporate limits of the City of Owensboro.

    property area threshold: < 1 acre · continuous duration threshold: > 7 consecutive days (Applies to an unimproved surface; privacy-fence, garage, and approved-storage-building exceptions apply.)

    “motor home [...] on an unimproved surface on public or private property of less than one acre [...] continuously for more than seven consecutive days.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured homes in the A-R and A-U zones of the Owensboro Metropolitan Zoning Ordinance.

    • Manufactured homes must be connected to public water and sanitary sewer when available.
    • If public facilities are unavailable, sanitary sewer facilities require Daviess County Health Department approval.
    • Manufactured homes must be underpinned with solid permanent material.
    • Agricultural land not subdivided into customary lots may not exceed one dwelling unit per ten-acre tract, including manufactured homes.

    agricultural dwelling density: per 1 dwelling unit per 10 acres (agricultural land not subdivided into customary lots)

    “Manufactured homes shall be connected to public water and sanitary sewer facilities when available. In the event public facilities are not available, the sanitary sewer facilities shall receive approval of the Daviess County Health Department. Manufactured homes shall be underpinned with a solid form of permanent material placed between the ground and the bottom outside edge of the mobile home to shield against the element of weather and to conserve energy used for heating and cooling.”
  • Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

    Daviess County onsite sewage disposal administration.

    • Kentucky identifies the Green River District Health Department as serving Daviess County.
    • The state program is administered through local health departments.
    “Green River District Health Department - serving Daviess”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Mixed (with conditions) — Onsite sewage in Daviess County, administered by the Green River District Health Department under Kentucky onsite-sewage requirements.
      “The Green River District Health Department’s Onsite Sewage Disposal Program helps protect public health and prevent groundwater contamination from leaking or failing septic systems.”
    • Local (with conditions) — Onsite sewage regulation in Daviess County, which is served by the Green River District Health Department.
      “Green River District Health Department’s Onsite Sewage Disposal Program”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction, installation, or alteration of regulated onsite sewage disposal systems in Daviess County.

    • The permit must be obtained from the local health department before construction, installation, or alteration.
    • The application is submitted to the local health department certified inspector having jurisdiction.
    • The standard permit fee is $50 plus any fee established by the local board of health.
    • Cluster-system plan review has a separate $600 state fee.

    onsite sewage disposal permit fee: 50 USD (plus the required local board of health fee) · cluster system plan review fee: 600 USD (payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer)

    “without having first obtained an on-site sewage disposal permit from the local health department.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Onsite sewage disposal systems in Daviess County.

    • Local health department onsite septic inspectors perform site evaluations and inspections.
    • The program begins with an onsite evaluation of site and soil conditions.
    • A certified Kentucky onsite septic installer must install the system based on the site evaluation.
    “perform site evaluations and inspections in Kentucky.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Onsite sanitation where municipal sewer service is unavailable in Daviess County.

    • A site evaluation is required before septic construction.
    • The health department evaluates soil and site conditions and issues permits after approval.
    • The source does not establish authorization for unpermitted alternative sanitation systems.
    “If a home or commercial property is not served by a municipal sewer system, a site evaluation is required before construction or septic system installation. A health department environmentalist reviews the property to determine whether the soil and site conditions are suitable for safe onsite wastewater disposal.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Water and sanitary sewer availability for proposed development in Daviess County.

    • Applicants must determine whether public sanitary sewer is available and whether a sewer tap fee can be paid.
    • Several water districts serve the city and county; utility availability is site-specific.
    “You will need to contact the appropriate utilities to determine if your lot can be adequately served by water and gas. There are several water districts serving the city and county and they are listed below.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Accessory buildings used to store farm products and machinery on tracts of land ten acres or more in the cited zoning schedule.

    • The exemption applies to accessory buildings for storing farm products and machinery.
    • The tract must be at least ten acres.
    • The cited provision is in the A-R/A-U zone schedule and does not establish a blanket exemption for all agricultural structures.

    minimum tract size: >= 10 acres

    “Building permits [...] shall not be required.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Creation or division of lots and tracts in the OMPC planning area of Daviess County.

    • The source states that some divisions of existing properties may not be possible under adopted regulations.
    • Lot-of-record and recording requirements may apply.
    “In some cases, divisions of existing properties may not be possible based on the current regulations that have been adopted.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Lots on county-maintained roads or streets outside Owensboro and Whitesville corporate limits.

    • Contact OMPC for Access Management Manual requirements, then obtain Daviess County Engineer approval of the access point.
    • Plat-created access restrictions may also apply.
    “If your lot is located in Daviess County on a county maintained road or street outside of the corporate limits of the City of Owensboro or the City of Whitesville, you will need to contact OMPC to determine the requirements of the Access Management Manual and then Daviess County Engineer, Mark Brasher, 683-3243, for approval of your access point.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Repair, development, and construction in Daviess County floodplains.

    • A permit must be obtained from the OMPC Building & Electrical Division before work starts.
    • Any development or substantial improvement over 50% of value must meet specific code and permit requirements.
    • Floodplain filling or other development may also require Army Corps of Engineers permits.
    • If a site is in a floodplain, a Stream Construction Permit from the Kentucky Division of Water is required according to the OMPC page.

    substantial improvement threshold: > 50 percent of value

    “Apply for a permit with the OMPC Building & Electrical Division before starting any repair, development, or construction in a floodplain. Any development or substantial improvement (over 50% of the value) in a floodplain must meet specific code and permit requirements.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — New structures in mapped special flood hazard areas in Daviess County.
      “If your property is located within area identified as special flood hazard area on the map, OMPC will require you to apply to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Floodplain Management Section, Division of Water, 14 Reilly Road, Frankfort, KY 40601 for a stream construction permit to construct within a flood plain.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Onsite sewage disposal permit fees applicable in Daviess County.

    • The $50 fee is the state-specified onsite sewage disposal permit fee.
    • A local board of health may establish an additional required fee.
    • Cluster-system plan review has a separate $600 state fee.

    onsite sewage disposal permit fee: 50 USD (plus local board of health fee) · cluster system plan review fee: 600 USD (payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer)

    “The on-site sewage disposal permit fee of fifty (50) dollars; and (c) The required fee as established by the local board of health in accordance with KRS 211.355.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building-plan review and inspection process for Owensboro and Daviess County.

    • The applicant submits construction permit application and plan drawings for review.
    • Review considers zoning status, proposed use, building size and number, land area, parking, landscaping, and vehicular access.
    • Floodplain sites require a Kentucky Division of Water Stream Construction Permit and a Flood Elevation Certificate.
    “review a set of construction plan drawings”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Partial — New residential construction process in Daviess County.
      “Once you have determined that your lot is an appropriately zoned lot of record, sanitary sewage disposal is provided, access is appropriate and the lot is either outside of a floodplain area or you have obtained a permit to construct within a floodplain, you are ready to begin the permit application process.”
    • Published (with conditions) — Building-permit application and review process in Owensboro-Daviess County.
      “Generally, following a preliminary project review, the Associate Director makes a determination as to requirements the applicant must follow for the proposed project. This determination considers many variables such as zoning status, proposed use, size and number of buildings/units, land area, parking needs, landscaping and vehicular access.”

Kentucky rules that apply here

  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Buildings constructed statewide in Kentucky, including residential and nonresidential construction subject to the Kentucky Building Code and Kentucky Residential Code.

    • The 2015 International Building Code is the mandatory state building code for buildings constructed in Kentucky, subject to Kentucky amendments in the 2018 Kentucky Building Code.
    • One-family dwellings, two-family dwellings, and townhouses are governed by 815 KAR 7:125 and the 2015 International Residential Code with Kentucky amendments in the 2018 Kentucky Residential Code.
    • Permits, inspections, and certificates of occupancy are not required for a single-family dwelling unless required by local ordinance.
    • Residential occupancies that are not single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings, or townhouses must comply with the 2015 International Building Code and the 2018 Kentucky Building Code.
    • Manufactured homes are governed by KRS 227.550 through 227.665.

    base building code: 2015 International Building Code (Kentucky amendments in the 2018 Kentucky Building Code supersede conflicting provisions) · residential code: 2015 International Residential Code; 2018 Kentucky Residential Code amendments (Applies to single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings, and townhouses under 815 KAR 7:125) · mandatory effective date: 2019-01-01

    “Building Code. The 2015 International Building shall be the mandatory state building code for all buildings constructed in Kentucky except that: (1) The Kentucky amendments in the 2018 Kentucky Building Code shall supersede any conflicting provision in the 2015 International Building Code; (2) One (1) family dwellings, two (2) family dwellings, and townhouses shall be governed by 815 KAR 7:125; and (3) Manufactured homes shall be governed by KRS 227.550 through 227.665.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Kentucky residential construction in Daviess County.
      “Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the 2015 International Residential Code for One (1) and Two (2) Family Dwellings (IRC) shall be the mandatory state residential building code for all single-family dwellings, two (2) family dwellings, and townhouses constructed in Kentucky, except that the Kentucky amendments in the 2018 Kentucky Residential Code shall supersede any conflicting provision in the 2015 IRC.”
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings, and townhouses constructed in Kentucky, including Daviess County.
      “mandatory state residential building code for all single-family dwellings, two (2) family dwellings, and townhouses constructed in Kentucky”
    • Adopted — Mandatory Kentucky residential building-code standards for single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings, and townhouses constructed statewide, including unincorporated areas.
      “Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the 2015 International Residential Code for One (1) and Two (2) Family Dwellings (IRC) shall be the mandatory state residential building code for all single-family dwellings, two (2) family dwellings, and townhouses constructed in Kentucky, except that the Kentucky amendments in the 2018 Kentucky Residential Code shall supersede any conflicting provision in the 2015 IRC.”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    Kentucky's statewide statutory framework for zoning-district texts and maps adopted by local planning units; the statutes do not provide a statewide inventory of individual district names or boundaries.

    • Zoning is enacted by a city or county under KRS Chapter 100 rather than automatically imposed statewide.
    • The zoning text must list the types of zones that may be used and the regulations for each zone.
    • The zoning map must show the boundaries of the area to be zoned and the boundaries of each zone.
    • Before enactment, the planning commission must prepare the zoning text and map and hold at least one public hearing.
    • After the hearing, the planning commission submits the approved text and map with its recommendation to legislative bodies and fiscal courts for adoption; passage requires a majority of the entire legislative body or fiscal court.
    • Planning units may be independent city or county units, joint city-county units, or regional groups of counties and cities.
    • Joint city-county and regional planning-unit jurisdiction is coterminous with political boundaries; an independent city planning unit may exercise consent-based extraterritorial jurisdiction up to five miles for subdivision and other regulations, subject to statutory limits.
    • KRS 100.203 states an effective date of July 13, 2004; KRS 100.207 states an effective date of July 15, 1988; those dates are included as source-stated statutory effective dates, not as dates for any particular local zoning map.
    “Cities and counties may enact zoning regulations which shall contain: (1) A text, which shall list the types of zones which may be used,”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camping or sleeping in the specified public and private pedestrian or vehicle-use areas statewide.

    • The person must knowingly enter or remain in a listed area with intent to sleep or camp.
    • The area must not have been designated for sleeping or camping, or the individual must lack authorization to sleep or camp there.
    • The listed areas include streets, sidewalks, areas under bridges or underpasses, paths, parks, cemeteries, and other areas designated for pedestrians or vehicles, including ingress or egress areas to businesses, homes, or public buildings.
    • The first offense is a violation; a second or subsequent offense, or a first offense where the person refuses to cease, is a Class B misdemeanor.
    • The section does not prohibit customary and temporary use of recreational camping areas, rest areas, or other properties specifically designated for resting or sleeping.
    • Temporary sleeping in a vehicle parked lawfully on a public road, street, or parking lot is not prevented when sleeping and parking occur for less than twelve (12) hours.

    temporary vehicle sleeping period: < 12 hours (The vehicle must be parked lawfully on a public road, street, or parking lot.)

    “A person is guilty of unlawful camping when he or she knowingly enters or remains on a public or private street, sidewalk, area under a bridge or underpass, path, park, cemetery, or other area designated for use by pedestrians or vehicles, including areas used for ingress or egress to businesses, homes, or public buildings, with the intent to sleep or camp in that area, when the area has not been designated for the purpose of sleeping or camping or the individual lacks authorization to sleep or camp in the area.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Allowed (with conditions) — Temporary camping locations for unsheltered homeless individuals designated by local governments under Kentucky law.
      “A local government may designate indoor or outdoor areas with defined boundaries in an area zoned for commercial or industrial use, separate from any area frequently used for public purposes, as a temporary camping location for unsheltered homeless individuals.”
    • Limited — Temporary parking of recreational vehicles on public or private property associated with specified publicly announced events.
      “Nothing in KRS 219.310 to 219.410 shall be construed to apply to the temporary parking of recreational vehicles on public or private property, for not more than thirty (30) days, associated with festivals, fairs, sporting events, yard sales, or other publicly announced events.”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Accessory dwelling units on lots containing a single-family home in a county containing a consolidated local government, when a new lease is initiated after June 27, 2025 and the lot is in a traditional single-family home zone.

    • The owner may not lease or allow the accessory dwelling unit to be occupied unless the owner primarily resides in the single-family home, multifamily housing unit, or accessory dwelling unit on the lot.
    • The restriction applies only in a county containing a consolidated local government.
    • A traditional single-family home zone is a zone that, as of January 1, 2025, did not include multifamily homes as a permitted use.
    • The restriction does not apply to a lot containing only one single-family home and no accessory dwelling unit.
    • The statutory effective date is June 27, 2025.

    new lease applicability date: > 2025-06-27 (The statute applies to new leases initiated after June 27, 2025.)

    “In a county containing a consolidated local government, for new leases initiated after June 27, 2025, a property owner shall not lease or allow to be occupied any single-family home, multifamily housing unit, or accessory dwelling unit located on a lot that contains a single-family home and that is located in a traditional single-family home zone, unless the owner primarily resides in the single-family home or multifamily housing unit or an accessory dwelling unit on the lot.”
  • Well permitNot required

    Construction or abandonment of a private water well by a property owner statewide in Kentucky.

    • Construction, modification, and abandonment must be performed by a Kentucky Certified Water Well Driller.
    • The certified driller must complete and submit required documentation within sixty days after completion.
    • The conclusion concerns owner permitting applications and fees; it does not eliminate the separate driller-certification requirement.

    well documentation submission deadline: 60 days after completion

    “there are no permitting applications or fees for constructing or abandoning a water well required of the property owner.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Not required — Construction or abandonment of a private water well by the property owner in Daviess County.
      “there are no permitting applications or fees for constructing or abandoning a water well required of the property owner.”
    • Limited — Construction, alteration, repair, or abandonment of water supply wells in Kentucky.
      “A person shall not construct, alter, repair, or abandon a water well without first obtaining a water well driller or water well driller assistant certificate”
  • Campground & park staysTemporary only (with conditions)

    Sleeping temporarily in a recreational vehicle or other vehicle in a vehicle-based location covered by KRS 511.110.

    • The vehicle must be parked lawfully on a public road, street, or parking lot.
    • Sleeping and parking at the location must occur for less than twelve (12) hours.
    • This provision does not establish permission for long-term or permanent RV occupancy on private land.
    • KRS 511.110 separately prohibits camping in specified areas when the area has not been designated for sleeping or camping or the person lacks authorization.

    maximum sleeping and parking period: < 12 hours

    “Nothing in this section shall prevent a person from sleeping temporarily in his or her vehicle parked lawfully on a public road, street, or parking lot, where the sleeping and parking of the vehicle at the location occur for a period of less than twelve (12) hours.”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    Kentucky counties' statutory authority to enact zoning regulations, including county-regulated areas outside incorporated municipalities as determined by the applicable planning-unit and political-boundary structure.

    • The statute expressly authorizes both cities and counties to enact zoning regulations.
    • A zoning regulation must contain text listing the types of zones and regulations applicable in each zone, uniform throughout the zone, and provisions for variances, conditional-use permits, and nonconforming uses.
    • Authorized subjects include land activities, structure dimensions and locations, open-space and distance requirements, density, special-interest districts, fringe areas, and activities or structures near thoroughfares, water bodies, public facilities, aircraft facilities, unique places, and floodplains.
    • Agricultural land must have no regulations except that setback lines may be required for streets and highways; floodway or floodplain buildings or structures may be fully regulated; mobile homes and other dwellings may be regulated; and uses under KRS 100.111(2)(c) may be regulated as conditional uses.
    • The applicable planning unit and political boundaries determine the area governed by a county zoning regulation.
    “Cities and counties may enact zoning regulations which shall contain:”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • General — Kentucky counties may adopt permanent land-use regulations, including zoning, through the applicable planning-unit process; this authority reaches county jurisdiction, including unincorporated areas, subject to the statutory planning prerequisites.
      “When all required elements of the comprehensive plan have been adopted in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, then the legislative bodies and fiscal courts within the planning unit may enact permanent land use regulations, including zoning and other kinds of growth management regulations”
  • county building authorityGeneral

    Kentucky fiscal courts may adopt and enforce construction regulations and may require building permits for construction in the county, including residential construction in unincorporated areas.

    • The construction regulations must be adopted by county order or resolution.
    • The regulations operate pursuant to KRS 198B.060 and the Uniform State Building Code framework.
    • A county building inspector may administer the regulations.
    • No person may build, erect, construct, reconstruct, remodel, relocate, alter, or repair a building within the county without first obtaining a building permit from the building inspector when the county permit system applies.
    • Permit fees must be reasonable and may not exceed the cost of the service provided.
    • A person aggrieved by the building inspector's ruling, order, or decision may appeal under KRS 198B.070.

    permit fee ceiling: <= cost of the service provided

    “The fiscal court of any county shall have authority, by order or resolution, to adopt, and to enforce, regulations governing construction as defined by KRS 198B.010 pursuant to the provisions of KRS 198B.060.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • General — Kentucky county authority, as a local government, to enforce the Uniform State Building Code and issue building permits within its jurisdiction, including unincorporated residential construction.
      “Each local government shall employ a building official or inspector and other code enforcement personnel as necessary, or shall contract for inspection and code enforcement services in accordance with subsections (8) and (11) of this section to enforce the Uniform State Building Code within the boundaries of its jurisdiction, except that permits, inspections, and certificates of occupancy shall not be mandatory for single-family residences unless a local government passes an ordinance requiring inspections of single-family residences.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Daviess County zoning districts.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in Daviess County zoning or subdivision districts.
  • Setbacks — Building setbacks in Daviess County.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage in Daviess County.
  • Building height — Building height in Daviess County.
2 more unanswered
  • Tiny homes
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Living off-grid in Daviess County, Kentucky

Is Daviess County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Daviess County scores 53/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and strong self-sufficiency basics: 48.6″/yr rainfall with little drought. Watch-outs: about 110,583 people within a 30-minute drive and a weaker property-autonomy legal backdrop.

Do you need a building permit in Daviess County, Kentucky?

Daviess County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Green River District Health Department. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Daviess County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Daviess County is limited to specific cases: Parking or placement of camping trailers and motor homes on public or private property of less than one acre in Daviess County outside the corporate limits of the City of Owensboro; the cited provision directly regulates parking/placement rather than expressly authorizing residential occupancy. Parking on an unimproved surface continuously for more than seven consecutive days is unlawful. The restriction does not apply to a boat trailer, camping trailer, watercraft, trailer, motor home or vehicle parked within a privacy fence, or wholly contained in a garage or approved storage building on property of less than one acre. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Daviess County, Kentucky?

Land in Daviess County runs about $4,683 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Daviess County?

Daviess County gets about 48.6" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 4% of years.

How remote is Daviess County?

A representative private-land location has about 110,583 people within a 30-minute drive and 2,660,778 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

How Daviess compares in Kentucky

Compare side-by-side →See all 120 Kentucky counties ranked →