Permits & zoning for remodeling in Louisville

This guide is general information gathered in October 2026, not legal advice. Requirements change and vary by address; we confirm them for every project.

Who issues permits

• Louisville Metro Construction Review issues residential building, electrical and mechanical (HVAC) permits for the old city of Louisville and most of Jefferson County, including many small cities. Inspections typically include foundation, framing and rough-in, and final, and work must stay uncovered until it's approved.
• Plumbing permits come from the state, through the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction (DHBC), Division of Plumbing, with separate state inspections.
• The code for one- and two-family homes is the Kentucky Residential Code (2018 edition, based on the 2015 International Residential Code, with Kentucky amendments). Local governments can't adopt a different residential code.
• Zoning in Louisville Metro is governed by the Land Development Code and administered by Metro's Office of Planning (formerly Planning & Design Services).

What needs a permit

As a rule, constructing, enlarging, altering or changing the use of a building needs a permit. For a typical remodel that includes:

• Additions, structural changes and removing load-bearing walls
• New or enlarged window and door openings
• Basement finishing and garage conversions (changing unfinished space to living space)
• Electrical work beyond minor repairs, and new circuits
• Moving or adding any plumbing fixture (state permit)
• Replacing a furnace, air conditioner or heat pump
• Attached decks and porches, and garages

Generally exempt under the Kentucky Residential Code: one-story detached sheds of 200 square feet or less, fences up to 7 feet, retaining walls up to 4 feet, flatwork, and finish work such as painting, flooring, tile, cabinets and countertops. Small freestanding decks are exempt if they meet all the size, height and location conditions.

Small cities with their own rules

Jefferson County contains dozens of small incorporated cities. Louisville Metro identifies twelve with their own zoning authority, and several in our service area add their own approvals:

Historic districts

Louisville Metro has eight local preservation districts: Butchertown, Cherokee Triangle, Clifton, Limerick, Old Louisville, Parkland Business District, West Main Street and Chickasaw, plus individual landmarks. In these, exterior alterations, additions, new construction and demolition need a Certificate of Appropriateness from Landmarks staff or the district's Architectural Review Committee before Metro will issue a permit. Interior work isn't reviewed.

Anchorage and Middletown run their own historic preservation commissions. Being on the National Register of Historic Places, as Crescent Hill is, doesn't by itself trigger local design review.

Homeowners associations

Deed restrictions are private, separate from government permits, and you need both. In our area, the Lake Forest Architectural Committee must approve additions and exterior changes (with a recorded plat and plans); Hunting Creek's sections have their own HOAs; and several Hurstbourne sections have deed restrictions.

Setbacks, form districts and ADUs

Louisville Metro's Land Development Code combines zoning districts with form districts (such as Traditional Neighborhood, Neighborhood and Suburban) that set setbacks, height and design rules. These determine where an addition or garage can go. Following recent reforms, Metro allows accessory dwelling units in many single-family zones with administrative review, and has published free pre-approved ADU plans. Small cities with their own zoning set their own rules.

Site issues: floodplains, drainage and footings

• Floodplains. Building in a floodplain requires permits from both the Kentucky Division of Water and Louisville Metro / MSD, including a foundation-only approval and an elevation certificate.
• Sewer backups. MSD's Plumbing Modification Program helps eligible homeowners with rain-related basement backups install backflow prevention.
• Footings. In Jefferson County, footings must extend at least 24 inches below finished grade for frost protection.
• Radon. Radon is common in Jefferson County. Testing before finishing a basement is recommended; the EPA action level is 4.0 pCi/L.

How Keystone handles approvals

1. We confirm jurisdiction for your address: Metro or small city, historic district, HOA, floodplain.
2. We design within the applicable setbacks, height limits and review standards.
3. We prepare and submit city, historic, HOA and permit applications, and respond to reviewers.
4. We schedule every inspection and keep work open until it's approved.