Division of Building Codes Enforcement

The Division of Building Codes Enforcement is responsible for reviewing plans and making inspections of new building construction, as well as additions, alterations, renovations and buildings involved in a change of occupancy (use) to ensure compliance with adopted codes and referenced standards. The Division of Building Codes Enforcement is divided into sections: 

     Building Codes -- plan review and field inspection
     Electrical Inspection
     Elevator Inspection
     Manufactured Housing
     Electrical Licensing

Responsibilities for the enforcement of the Kentucky Building Code (KBC) are shared between the Division of Building Codes Enforcement and the local government (city or county) building departments. Not all building construction projects require review and inspection by the Division of Building Codes Enforcement. Section 104.1 of the 2007 Kentucky Building Code  (MS Word - 1105KB) identifies those buildings that fall under the jurisdiction of the local building department. Section 104.2 identifies those buildings which fall under the plan review and inspection jurisdiction for the Division of Building Codes Enforcement.  All construction projects, except single-family dwellings, in those jurisdictions that do not have a local building inspection program, shall be submitted to the Division of Building Codes Enforcement for review and approval prior to the start of a construction project.

Several local building departments have been granted responsibilities exceeding that referenced in Section 104.1 of the KBC. Those local building departments have been granted "expanded jurisdiction " (PDF - 25.5KB). Expanded jurisdiction building departments are typically responsible for the review and inspection of construction projects that would normally be reviewed and inspected by the Division of Building Codes Enforcement. The granting of additional plan review and inspection does not include buildings having institutional, high hazard, state-licensed day care and in some cases educational occupancies. Construction projects such as these remain under the jurisdiction of the Division of Building Codes Enforcement. If a local building department is interested in applying for expanded jurisdiction, then they must complete the expanded jurisdiction application form (MS Word - 332KB)  and mail to our office.

If you have questions concerning the plan review and inspection jurisdiction of your project, you are encouraged to contact our office at 502-573-0373 or send us an e-mail.

The mission of the Division of Building Codes Enforcement is to secure public health, safety and welfare of persons within the commonwealth of Kentucky affected by building construction quality through structural strength, adequate means of egress, energy efficiency, accessibility, and safety to life and property from fire and other hazards attributed to the built environment.

Your questions are important to us and can be phoned in or sent by e-mail at any time. If your questions are general in nature, direct them to the deputy commissioner George Mann, assistant director Gary Feck or one of the technical advisors Ric McNees or Phil Craig. If your question is specific to a project, contact the plan reviewer in charge of your project.

The Division of Building Codes Enforcement has a field inspection staff of 18 covering all 120 counties.

Gary Feck, field operation manager is assisted by three field supervisors, Jeff Crider, Jim Bozeman and Mike Haddix, whose responsibility is to oversee the inspection services offered by 14 field inspectors located across the state and work with local building inspection programs.