Bolthole Index

Perry County, Kentucky

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Perry County, Kentucky

59Index Score / 100
#78 of 120 in Kentucky

For unincorporated Perry County, Kentucky, confirm single-family building-permit requirements with the local building inspector; Kentucky requires them where a local inspection program applies1. Unincorporated Perry County has no county zoning2. Inside Hazard, the city issues building permits and sets zoning; septic approval remains with the County Health Officer through the local health department3456.

At a glance

Building permit
Confirm single-family requirements outside city limits; Hazard issues city building permits13
Building code
Kentucky's statewide building and residential codes apply7
Zoning
No county zoning in unincorporated areas; Hazard has municipal zoning24
Septic permit
Required before constructing, installing or altering an onsite system8
RV living
Not restricted by county zoning in unincorporated areas; other rules still apply9
Tiny home
Not restricted by county zoning in unincorporated areas; building and septic rules still apply978
Owner-builder
Conditional: an owner may personally do qualifying plumbing work after applying and filing the required affidavit10
Conventional septic soils
USDA rates 0% of county soils “not limited” for conventional drain fields; site evaluation is essential11

Who to call

Building permits

Perry County Local Building Inspector

Residential building-permit questions and local building inspections in Perry County

606-416-4182

wf.skils@gmail.com

Septic permits

Perry County Health Department Environmental Office

Onsite sewage site evaluations, permits and inspections in Perry County

606-436-2196

239 Lovern Street, Hazard, KY 41701

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 12, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Perry County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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

For a single-family home in unincorporated Perry County, confirm the building-permit requirement with the Perry County Local Building Inspector: Kentucky requires single-family building permits only where a local inspection program applies1. Local review and inspections depend on that program, and a single-family certificate of occupancy depends on established local enforcement jurisdiction1213. Kentucky residential-code standards still apply even without a local single-family inspection program14. Inside Hazard, the city Administrative Officer issues building permits before excavation, construction or alteration, subject to specified exceptions including recurring maintenance3. Hazard’s city building-permit requirement leaves sewage approval with the County Health Officer through the local health department56.

Who issues building permits in Perry County, and how do you reach them?

For unincorporated Perry County residential building-permit and inspection questions, contact the Perry County Local Building Inspector at 606-416-4182 or wf.skils@gmail.com15. Describe the parcel address, structure type and proposed work, and request the applicable application, inspections and occupancy steps11213. We could not confirm county building-permit fees; ask the inspector for the current fee schedule15. Inside Hazard, apply to the city Administrative Officer with scaled plans and the County Health Officer’s water and sewerage certificate3. Septic approval remains with the health department rather than the city building-permit office56.

Does Perry County, Kentucky have zoning?

Unincorporated Perry County has no county zoning ordinance2. Inside Hazard, the city sets zoning through its zoning districts and map4. Septic approval in Hazard remains with the County Health Officer through the local health department56. Hazard’s Planning Commission also administers subdivision control within its jurisdiction; that municipal authority does not establish countywide subdivision regulation16. Establish whether the parcel is inside city limits before relying on the unincorporated-county answer17. Outside city limits, the absence of county zoning still leaves Kentucky residential-code standards, septic permits and floodplain permits applicable to covered work14818.

Who issues septic permits in Perry County, Kentucky?

Septic permits in Perry County, including Hazard, go through the local health department within the Kentucky River District Health Department65. Call the Perry County Health Department Environmental Office at 606-436-2196 for a site evaluation1920. Submit the application and basic site plan, then obtain the onsite sewage construction permit before building any part of the system21. Installed, constructed, altered or repaired systems require certified inspection before backfilling; an installer’s affidavit can replace the initial inspection in eligible cases, but not the installation inspection22. USDA rates 0% of county soils “not limited” for conventional drain fields; that rating makes parcel-specific evaluation essential rather than proving septic impossible11.

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

In unincorporated Perry County, county zoning does not restrict RVs, tiny homes, manufactured homes, accessory dwellings or temporary camping, or set minimum dwelling size, minimum lot size, setbacks, lot coverage or building height9. Kentucky building-code standards and onsite sewage permitting still apply to covered structures and systems148. Ask the Perry County Local Building Inspector how the proposed tiny home is classified, and ask the Perry County Health Department how sewage must be handled1519. We could not confirm approval of alternative off-grid sanitation; ask the health department about the proposed system, since Kentucky generally prohibits seepage pits, cesspools and dry wells for sewage disposal, subject to narrow exceptions1923. Inside Hazard, ask the city Administrative Officer which zoning and building approvals apply before placing or occupying the unit43.

What are the steps to build a home in Perry County?

  1. For unincorporated land, ask the Perry County Local Building Inspector at 606-416-4182 which building approvals apply; inside Hazard, apply to the city Administrative Officer1513.
  2. Confirm land-use jurisdiction; unincorporated Perry County has no county zoning, while Hazard has municipal zoning and subdivision control2416.
  3. Request the health department's site evaluation before finalizing the septic layout2021.
  4. Obtain the onsite sewage permit before construction8.
  5. Obtain a plumbing permit before plumbing work; an eligible owner-builder must apply before starting, personally perform the work and file the required affidavit10.
  6. Apply to the state highway district engineer if the driveway enters a state highway24.
  7. Secure state and local permits before development in an identified floodplain18.
  8. Arrange required building and septic inspections before covering work1222.

What should you check before buying land in Perry County?

Start with buildable area, septic feasibility, flood exposure and legal access. Only 5.8% of Perry County land is at a 15% slope or less, while 93% is wooded, so a parcel can require substantial site, driveway and drainage planning even when the acreage looks generous2526. USDA rates none of the county’s soils “not limited” for conventional drain fields, so use a health-department evaluation to determine parcel suitability before the due-diligence period ends1119. Development in an identified floodplain requires both state and local floodplain permits; consult the Kentucky Division of Water and the local floodplain coordinator before site work18. A Kentucky water well must be constructed, altered, repaired or abandoned by a properly certified driller or driller assistant, and the state's well rule states that no permitting application or fee is required of the property owner for constructing or abandoning a private water well2728. Typical county figures are about a 0.7% effective property-tax rate and a $661 median annual tax bill; verify the actual parcel with the property valuation and taxing offices2930.

Watch-outs

  • Do not treat the local-inspector listing as proof that every Perry County single-family project needs a permit; the published material does not state the program's exact scope or exemptions1.
  • Perry County’s steep, wooded terrain can reduce usable building area, and poor conventional drain-field ratings make a parcel-specific septic evaluation essential252611.
  • Hazard issues city building permits and sets municipal zoning; septic approval stays with the County Health Officer through the local health department3456.

Sources

  1. 815 KAR 7:125 Kentucky Residential Code, quoted and re-checked
  2. Bright Mountain Solar Project — Socioeconomic Report, quoted and re-checked
  3. Hazard: § 157.101 Building permits (Perry County), quoted and re-checked
  4. Hazard: official source (Perry County), quoted and re-checked
  5. Hazard: § 157.021 Water supply and sewage disposal (Perry County), quoted and re-checked
  6. Local Health Departments, quoted and re-checked
  7. Division of Building Code Enforcement, quoted and re-checked
  8. Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems Program, quoted and re-checked
  9. Kentucky law on county zoning and building authority
  10. Frequently Asked Questions (Plumbing), quoted and re-checked
  11. 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
  12. Building Codes, quoted and re-checked
  13. 815 KAR 7:125 Kentucky Residential Code, quoted and re-checked
  14. Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction Building Codes, quoted and re-checked
  15. Perry County Local Building Inspector (dhbc.ky.gov)
  16. Hazard Code of Ordinances, § 33.04 Planning Commission, quoted and re-checked
  17. Bright Mountain Solar Project — Socioeconomic Report, quoted and re-checked
  18. Find Your Flood Zone (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Perry County Health Department Environmental Office (dhbc.ky.gov)
  20. Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems Program, quoted and re-checked
  21. apps.legislature.ky.gov, quoted and re-checked
  22. 902 KAR 10:085 — Kentucky on-site sewage disposal systems, quoted and re-checked
  23. 902 KAR 10:085 Kentucky Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. 603 KAR 1:020 Driveway approaches, entrances; construction and maintenance (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  27. 401 KAR 6:320. Certification of water well drillers and water well driller assistants (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  28. Water Well Information for Home Owners (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  29. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  30. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 12, 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 5 of its 6 neighbors, Perry County requires a building permit for a home.

RulePerry CountyLeslie CountyKnott CountyLetcher CountyBreathitt CountyHarlan CountyFloyd County
Building permitRequiredLimitedRequiredNot requiredLimitedNot requiredNot required
County zoningNoNoNoNoNoNot publishedNot published
Septic permitsKY River District Health Dept.KY River District Health Dept.KY River District Health Dept.KY River District Health Dept.County Health Dept.County Health Dept.County Health Dept.

County locator

Perry County in Kentucky

59
County map
Perry County highlighted among the Kentucky counties · colored by Index score

How Perry County scores

Seclusion65100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency43100% ev.
Admin Boringness5490% ev.
Durability53100% ev.
Property Autonomy33100% ev.
Carry Cost87100% 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 →

$98kTypical home
0.7%Property tax
$2,578Land / acre
50"Annual rain
1.7% of yrsSevere drought
2.8 / yr (+2.8)Mid-century 100°F days
11.4 daysMid-century dry spell
1.75" (+5.9%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.79×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,653Home insurance / yr
0.4% / yrInsurance growth
1.16%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
27,818People within 30 min
1,131,357People within 2 hr
40,843Radius comparison (15 mi)
79.9People / sq mi
1.3%Federal land
5.8%Land at 15% slope or less
0%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
0 acWorkable land screen
93%Wooded land
57.8 tonsBiomass / forest ac
55.8°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Perry 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: Buckhorn · Vicco

Answers from the rulebook for Perry County

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

Perry County rules

  • InspectionsRequired

    Single-family homes in Perry County where the county residential inspection program applies.

    • The state source conditions local review and inspection on the existence of a local inspection program.
    • The Perry County sheet identifies a residential local building inspector, Wes Finley.
    • Commercial and other buildings may fall under state or local jurisdiction depending on the Kentucky Building Code jurisdiction rules.
    “All single-family homes built in Kentucky will be reviewed and inspected by the local county or city building official if such an inspection program exists.”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    County zoning in unincorporated Perry County, Kentucky.

    • The source states that the project area is unincorporated Perry County.
    • The City of Hazard has an official zoning code, which does not apply outside its city boundaries.
    “Perry County does not have planning and zoning and has not enacted any zoning ordinances or setback requirements.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Local zoning across Perry County, aggregating unincorporated county areas and the City of Hazard.

    • Unincorporated Perry County has no zoning regulations according to the official Kentucky Public Service Commission filing.
    • The City of Hazard has an official zoning code; the cited source states that code applies within Hazard boundaries and not to the cited unincorporated project area.
    • The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet planning-units document identifies the Hazard Planning & Zoning Commission as a city-independent planning unit with citywide zoning.
    “Perry Hazard Hazard Planning & Zoning Commission ADD: KENTUCKY RIVER [...] 1993 Yes Citywide 2005 Yes Citywide 2005 Notes:”
  • Minimum dwelling size · by state lawNone

    Unincorporated Perry County: no county rule sets this, because Perry County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • The source states that the project area is unincorporated Perry County.
    • The City of Hazard has an official zoning code, which does not apply outside its city boundaries.
    “Perry County does not have planning and zoning and has not enacted any zoning ordinances or setback requirements.”
  • Minimum lot size · by state lawNone

    Unincorporated Perry County: no county rule sets this, because Perry County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • The source states that the project area is unincorporated Perry County.
    • The City of Hazard has an official zoning code, which does not apply outside its city boundaries.
    “Perry County does not have planning and zoning and has not enacted any zoning ordinances or setback requirements.”
  • Setbacks · by state lawNone

    Unincorporated Perry County: no county rule sets this, because Perry County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • The source states that the project area is unincorporated Perry County.
    • The City of Hazard has an official zoning code, which does not apply outside its city boundaries.
    “Perry County does not have planning and zoning and has not enacted any zoning ordinances or setback requirements.”
  • Lot coverage · by state lawNone

    Unincorporated Perry County: no county rule sets this, because Perry County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • The source states that the project area is unincorporated Perry County.
    • The City of Hazard has an official zoning code, which does not apply outside its city boundaries.
    “Perry County does not have planning and zoning and has not enacted any zoning ordinances or setback requirements.”
  • Building height · by state lawNone

    Unincorporated Perry County: no county rule sets this, because Perry County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • The source states that the project area is unincorporated Perry County.
    • The City of Hazard has an official zoning code, which does not apply outside its city boundaries.
    “Perry County does not have planning and zoning and has not enacted any zoning ordinances or setback requirements.”
  • Living in an RV · by state lawUnrestricted

    Unincorporated Perry County: no county rule sets this, because Perry County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • The source states that the project area is unincorporated Perry County.
    • The City of Hazard has an official zoning code, which does not apply outside its city boundaries.
    “Perry County does not have planning and zoning and has not enacted any zoning ordinances or setback requirements.”
  • Camping on your land · by state lawUnrestricted

    Unincorporated Perry County: no county rule sets this, because Perry County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • The source states that the project area is unincorporated Perry County.
    • The City of Hazard has an official zoning code, which does not apply outside its city boundaries.
    “Perry County does not have planning and zoning and has not enacted any zoning ordinances or setback requirements.”
  • Tiny homes · by state lawUnrestricted

    Unincorporated Perry County: no county rule sets this, because Perry County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • The source states that the project area is unincorporated Perry County.
    • The City of Hazard has an official zoning code, which does not apply outside its city boundaries.
    “Perry County does not have planning and zoning and has not enacted any zoning ordinances or setback requirements.”
  • Manufactured homes · by state lawUnrestricted

    Unincorporated Perry County: no county rule sets this, because Perry County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • The source states that the project area is unincorporated Perry County.
    • The City of Hazard has an official zoning code, which does not apply outside its city boundaries.
    “Perry County does not have planning and zoning and has not enacted any zoning ordinances or setback requirements.”
  • Accessory dwellings · by state lawUnrestricted

    Unincorporated Perry County: no county rule sets this, because Perry County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance.

    • Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits.
    • The source states that the project area is unincorporated Perry County.
    • The City of Hazard has an official zoning code, which does not apply outside its city boundaries.
    “Perry County does not have planning and zoning and has not enacted any zoning ordinances or setback requirements.”
  • Who permits septicLocal

    Onsite sewage regulation for Perry County through the Kentucky River District Health Department.

    • The Kentucky River District Health Department serves Perry County.
    • The state program is administered through local health departments.
    “Kentucky River District Health Department - serving Knott, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Owsley, Perry and Wolfe counties”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Individual onsite sewage systems serving property in Perry County.

    • An OSDS construction permit is submitted to the local health department.
    • A homeowner installing their own system must obtain a homeowner's permit through the local health department.
    • System design and installation must follow the site evaluation and applicable state process.
    “System Design Layout (certified installer) and Application for On-site Sewage Disposal System (OSDS) Construction Permit (LHD) Submit to Local Health Dept”
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    On-site sewage disposal systems in Perry County administered through the Kentucky River District Health Department, when a system is installed, constructed, altered, or repaired.

    • Every on-site sewage disposal system installed, constructed, altered, or repaired must be inspected by a certified inspector.
    • For every system, the certified installer may complete an installer's affidavit recording all grade-shot readings and certifying compliance instead of requesting the initial inspection; the regulation states this affidavit is an alternative to the initial inspection.
    • For subsurface-flow constructed-wetland systems, an initial inspection by a certified inspector is required to determine compliance with excavation standards; an installer's affidavit cannot replace that initial inspection, and the liner must be in place unless special cell preparation is needed before liner placement.
    • The certified installer must request an installation inspection and have it completed by a certified inspector before backfilling; direct access to trench, bed, or cell bottoms must be provided as required by the certified inspector.
    • A final inspection must be requested if additional fill soil is required after finish grading.
    • A system that does not meet approval requirements must be reconstructed as needed for compliance.
    • The cited rule addresses installation, construction, alteration, and repair; it does not establish a general septic inspection requirement solely upon sale, transfer, or ordinary occupancy of an existing system.
    “Every on-site sewage disposal system installed, constructed, altered, or repaired shall be inspected by a certified inspector.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Onsite sewage site evaluations and inspections in Perry County.
      “The local health department onsite septic system inspectors perform site evaluations and inspections in Kentucky.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Onsite sewage permit process in Perry County.

    • A site evaluation and completed application are required before the permit stage.
    • The permit must be obtained before construction of any portion of the system.
    “A person seeking approval of an individual site for the installation of an on-site sewage disposal system or alteration of an existing lateral field shall submit: [...] A completed application including a basic site plan drawing showing the: [...] After the site evaluation has been conducted, a permit to construct, install, or alter an on-site sewage disposal system shall be obtained prior to construction of any portion of that system.”

Kentucky rules that apply here

  • Building permitLimited

    Residential construction in Perry County under the statewide Kentucky building-code framework.

    • Single-family dwellings are exempt from state permits unless a local ordinance requires them.
    • No building may be constructed without a permit when the state or local jurisdiction has applicable jurisdiction.
    • The official Perry County assignment sheet identifies a residential local building inspector, but does not itself state the permit requirement or exemptions.
    “No building shall be constructed in this state until a local building official and an official representing the department, if the department has jurisdiction, issue a permit for the construction. Nothing in this subsection shall require a single-family dwelling to be permitted or inspected unless a local government has established a building inspection program as set out in this section.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Not required (with conditions) — Single-family dwellings constructed in Kentucky under the Kentucky Residential Code.
      “Permits, inspections, and certificates of occupancy shall not be required for a single-family dwelling unless required by local ordinance.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    An individual property owner performing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning work on property the individual owns and occupies.

    • The exemption applies to KRS 198B.650 to 198B.689, Kentucky's HVAC contractor provisions.
    • The owner must own and occupy the property.
    • For installation of an initial HVAC system, the owner must apply for a permit before beginning installation.
    • An exempt owner need not possess or show proof of an HVAC license to obtain the required HVAC permit.
    • Applying for the HVAC permit constitutes consent to inspection by authorized Commonwealth and relevant local-government inspectors.
    • No HVAC permit is required for installation on a manufactured home by a licensed manufactured-home retailer or manufacturer, and no permit or inspection is required for window-unit air conditioners, space heaters, or HVAC systems in buildings not designed for human occupancy.
    “KRS 198B.650 to 198B.689 shall not apply to: [...] (3) An individual owner of real property while practicing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning work on or within property owned and occupied by the individual;”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — Homeowner plumbing, sewerage, or drainage work in a residence personally occupied by the homeowner or in a home the homeowner will construct for personal residential use.
      “Permits to construct, install or alter plumbing, sewerage or drainage may be issued to homeowners who desire to install plumbing in homes actually occupied by them or in a home to be constructed by them for their own personal residential use, if all the following requirements are met:”
  • 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 — Kentucky Building Code and Kentucky Residential Code applicable in Perry County.
      “The Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction adopted the 2018 Kentucky Building Code, Second Edition and the 2018 Kentucky Residential Code, Second Edition on August 3, 2019.”
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Kentucky Residential Code requirements applicable to single-family homes in Perry County.
      “The 2018 Kentucky Residential Code (KRC) went into effect Jan. 1, 2019. All single-family homes built in Kentucky will be reviewed and inspected by the local county or city building official if such an inspection program exists.”
    • 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.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Certificates of occupancy for buildings in Perry County.

    • A certificate of occupancy is not required for a single-family dwelling unless a local government has established jurisdiction for enforcement of the Uniform State Building Code.
    • Other buildings constructed after the Uniform State Building Code became effective may not be occupied until the certificate is issued.
    “Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require a certificate of occupancy to be issued for any single-family dwelling unless a local government has established jurisdiction for the enforcement of the Uniform State Building Code under this section.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Not required (with conditions) — Single-family dwellings constructed in Kentucky under the Kentucky Residential Code.
      “Permits, inspections, and certificates of occupancy shall not be required for a single-family dwelling unless required by local ordinance.”
  • 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,”
  • Off-grid sanitationProhibited

    Use of seepage pits, cesspools, or dry wells as onsite sewage disposal systems statewide in Kentucky, subject to the Section 13 exception.

    • The prohibition is subject to the exception provided in Section 13 of 902 KAR 10:085.
    • Section 13 permits limited repair or alteration of existing seepage-pit systems when municipal or public sewage treatment is unavailable and repair or alteration is required because of malfunction, damage, or upgrade.
    • A limited single-family vacant-lot exception applies to certain lots purchased on or before May 1, 1992, if bona fide construction began by December 25, 1992.
    “Except as provided in Section 13 of this administrative regulation, use of seepage pits, cesspools, or dry wells;”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • 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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Buildings subject to the Kentucky State Plumbing Code.

    • A building must have an independent connection to either a public or private sewer or sewer system.
    • If a sewer is not available, the house drain must connect to an approved private sewage disposal system.
    • The cited rule does not establish a universal requirement to connect to public water service.
    “If a sewer is not available, the house drain from a building shall connect with an approved private sewage disposal system.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Agritourism buildings subject to the Kentucky Building Code.

    • Except as otherwise provided, an agritourism building must comply with the Kentucky Building Code.
    • The exemption applies to an agritourism building built prior to December 31, 2016.
    • The pre-December 31, 2016 building is exempt from seismic requirements.
    • If the building has a capacity of 400 persons or is 6,000 square feet or less, it does not require the services of a Kentucky-licensed architect.

    construction date threshold: < December 31, 2016 · building capacity threshold: <= 400 persons (The statute states "has a capacity of four hundred (400) persons or is six thousand (6,000) square feet or less.") · building area threshold: <= 6000 square feet (The statute states "has a capacity of four hundred (400) persons or is six thousand (6,000) square feet or less.")

    “An agritourism building built prior to December 31, 2016, shall be exempt from the following requirements within the Kentucky Building Code: (a) An agritourism building built prior to December 31, 2016, shall not be required to comply with the seismic requirements within the Kentucky Building Code; and (b) If an agritourism building has a capacity of four hundred (400) persons or is six thousand (6,000) square feet or less, an agritourism building built prior to December 31, 2016, shall not require the services of an architect licensed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — Division of land for agricultural use under Kentucky subdivision law.
      “provided that a division of land for agricultural use and not involving a new street shall not be deemed a subdivision.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land within a Kentucky planning-unit jurisdiction.

    • All subdivision of land must receive planning-commission approval.
    • A person may not subdivide land before securing approval of a planning-commission plat.
    • A subdivision plat may not be recorded by the county clerk until commission approval is entered on the plat.
    • The statute's agricultural-use exception is addressed separately in KRS 100.111(22).
    “All subdivision of land shall receive commission approval. No person or his agent shall subdivide any land before securing the approval of the planning commission of a plat designating the areas to be subdivided, and no plat of a subdivision of land within the planning unit jurisdiction shall be recorded by the county clerk until the plat has been approved by the commission and the approval entered thereon in writing by the chairman, secretary, or other duly authorized officer of the commission.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    New or additional private farm or single-family dwelling driveway approaches on Kentucky Department of Highways rights-of-way.

    • The owner or occupant must make formal written application to the District Engineer of the Department of Highways.
    • The applicant must furnish required drainage pipe, tile, or other drainage structure at the applicant's own expense.
    • The Department may participate up to $300 for specified construction work.
    • No indemnity bond or other security is required unless estimated construction cost within the right-of-way exceeds $300.
    • The District Engineer may approve or disapprove the application.

    department participation maximum: <= 300 USD (specified drainage, grading, and surfacing work within right-of-way limits)

    “The owner or occupant of property, who desires to construct new or additional private farm or single family dwelling driveway approaches, shall make formal application in writing, to the District Engineer of the Department of Highways.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — New, additional, relocated, or modified driveway entrance approaches serving commercial property or property used for a purpose other than farming or a single-family dwelling.
      “The owner or occupant of property, used for commercial or any purpose other than farming or single family dwelling, who desires to construct new or additional driveway entrance approaches, to relocate, or make other changes in existing driveway entrance approaches thereto, shall make application for a permit to the District Engineer of the Department of Highways upon standard forms furnished by the Transportation Cabinet.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in an identified Kentucky floodplain, including development in mapped A and AE zones.

    • Both a state and local floodplain permit are required for development in an identified floodplain.
    • State and local permits are required for development in A and AE zones.
    • The Kentucky Division of Water issues general or individual floodplain permits.
    • General permits cover eligible activities that do not change the Base Flood Elevation and have minimal flood-risk potential.
    • Developments that do not meet general-permit eligibility or could change the Base Flood Elevation require an individual permit.
    • The source directs applicants to consult the local floodplain coordinator for local requirements.

    general permit nonsubstantial improvement threshold: < 50 percent of structure valuation (including labor)

    “Any development in an identified floodplain in Kentucky requires a state and a local floodplain permit.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Kentucky state plumbing installation permits administered by the Division of Plumbing.

    • Residential one- and two-family permits use a $50 base fee plus $14 per opening.
    • Domestic water heater-only permits are $50.
    • Commercial permits use a $50 base fee plus $20 per opening.
    • Medical gas piping permits use a $50 base fee plus $20 per opening.
    • The fee schedule is stated as effective March 1, 2022.

    residential base permit fee: 50 USD (one- and two-family permits) · residential opening fee: per 14 USD (opening) · commercial base permit fee: 50 USD (commercial permits) · commercial opening fee: per 20 USD (opening)

    “FEE CHANGE - Effective March 1, 2022, Plumbing installation permit fees will be as follows: Residential (One and Two Family) Permits: $50 base permit fee, $14 per opening fee Domestic Water Heater Only Permits: $50 Commercial Permits: $50 base permit fee; $20 per opening fee Medical Gas Piping Permits: $50 base permit fee; $20 per opening fee”
  • 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.”

Inside cities and towns in Perry County

Municipal rules found while researching the county. They apply inside that city or town, not to unincorporated land.

  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    City of Hazard zoning districts and zoning regulations.

    • The cited code is municipal and applies to the City of Hazard; it does not establish countywide zoning.
    “TITLE XV: LAND USAGE [...] 157 . ZONING CODE”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    City of Hazard zoning districts and dimensional regulations.

    • This is a municipal source and does not establish zoning districts countywide or in unincorporated Perry County.
    “TITLE XV: LAND USAGE [...] 157 . ZONING CODE APPENDIX: SCHEDULE OF DIMENSION AND AREA REGULATIONS”
  • Subdividing landLimited

    Subdivision control administered by the City of Hazard Planning Commission.

    • The source is municipal and does not establish countywide subdivision regulation.
    • Subdivision regulations may include minimum width and area of lots and utility installation conditions.
    “The Planning Commission is authorized and directed to exercise subdivision control within the jurisdiction and of the character provided by law.”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Development in special flood-hazard areas regulated by the City of Hazard.

    • The City of Hazard adopted FEMA's Perry County FIS dated August 14, 2024 and accompanying FIRMs by reference.
    • The cited code applies to the city and land acquired through annexation.
    • The FIS/FIRM is the minimum area of applicability and may be supplemented by additional studies enacted by City Council.
    • The ordinance amendment was passed June 28, 2024.

    FEMA FIS date: 2024-08-14

    “The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for Perry County dated August 14, 2024 with the accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMS), other supporting data and any subsequent amendments thereto, are hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of these regulations by the city, and for those land areas acquired by the city through annexation.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rentals in Perry County.

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 Perry County, Kentucky

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

Perry County scores 59/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and about 27,818 people within a 30-minute drive. Watch-outs: a weaker property-autonomy legal backdrop.

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

Perry County generally requires a residential building permit, and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Kentucky 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 Perry County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Perry County is allowed: Unincorporated Perry County: no county rule sets this, because Perry County's own reviewed answer confirms it has no county-wide zoning ordinance. Septic, floodplain, subdivision and health rules still apply; cities and towns set their own rules inside their limits. The source states that the project area is unincorporated Perry County. A tiny home is allowed. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Perry County, Kentucky?

Land in Perry County runs about $2,578 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Perry County?

Perry County gets about 50" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 1.7% of years.

How remote is Perry County?

A representative private-land location has about 27,818 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,131,357 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 Perry compares in Kentucky

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