HB 730 — AN ACT relating to residential building permits.

Summary

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 198B to define terms; require regulatory authorities to provide information to prospective applicants regarding requirements to apply for a permit; require a regulatory authority to inform an applicant of whether the application is complete within 3 days and include whether the regulatory authority is able to perform plan review and inspection within specified time limits; require a regulatory authority to conduct plan review within 14 days of receipt of a complete application and inspections within 5 days of any request for an inspection being made; provide for circumstances in which deadlines may be extended; permit an applicant to use a qualifying third-party inspector; set out circumstances under which a regulatory authority may collect fees depending on use of a third-party inspector; set out what a third-party inspector may review and set out qualifications and requirements the third-party inspector must meet; require a regulatory authority to issue a permit within 1 business day of the completion of required plan reviews and inspections associated with an otherwise complete application; state that any ordinance, rule, or regulation contrary is void and unenforceable; state that a regulatory authority may issue a stop-work order if a condition of a project constitute an immediate threat to public safety and welfare; establish immunity for the regulatory authority for action of an applicant or third-party inspector; amend KRS 198B.060 to conform.

Bill Text

• Introduced View text Current pdf

Compared against the Kentucky Revised Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill creates a new section regarding the process for obtaining residential building permits and amends existing law to update local government responsibilities.

• KRS 198B.060

  This section shall not be construed to prohibit a regulatory authority from issuing a stop-work order if the regulatory authority determines that a condition of a building project constitutes an immediate threat to public safety and welfare.

  This addition clarifies that regulatory authorities can issue stop-work orders for safety concerns.

• KRS 198B.060

  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. → 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.

  No change; it reaffirms the current stipulations for single-family residences.

• A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 198B IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS: (1) As used in this section: (a) "Applicant" means a person who applies for a permit; (b) "Permit" means: 1. An authorization required to conduct any construction-related activities involving a qualifying property; or 2. A certificate of occupancy or other similar certification for a qualifying property; (c) "Qualifying property": 1. Means a residential building containing ten (10) or fewer units; and 2. Includes buildings with mixed commercial and residential uses; (d) "Qualifying third-party inspector" means a third-party inspector that is not: 1. In any way affiliated with or financially interested in the project to be reviewed or inspected; or 2. An employee of a regulatory authority from which the permit that is the subject of an application is sought; (e) "Regulatory authority" means a state or local governmental entity enforcing any state code for which a permit is required; (f) "Regulatory fee" means any fee, including a permit fee, application fee, inspection fee, or any other similar fee, that a regulatory authority requires as part of its enforcement of any state code for which a permit is required; (g) "Third-party inspector" means: 1. An architect licensed under KRS Chapter 323; 2. An engineer licensed under KRS Chapter 322; 3. An electrical inspector certified under KRS Chapter 227; and 4. A building inspector, plans and specifications inspector, or plumbing inspector certified under KRS 198B.090.

  This creates a new section defining terms and outlining processes related to residential building permits.

Action History

1. March 04, 2026

   to Local Government (H)

2. February 25, 2026

   to Committee on Committees (H)

3. February 25, 2026

   introduced in House

Sponsors

• Mike Clines · Primary

Subjects