Bolthole Index

Allen County, Kentucky

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Scottsville, Kentucky

Scottsville, Kentucky requires residential building permits through the Scottsville-Allen County Planning Commission.1 Scottsville sets zoning inside city limits; septic approval stays with the Allen County Health Department.23 In this Allen County city, available municipal sewer must be connected, so a septic system is not automatically an alternative to sewer service.4

At a glance

Residential building permit
Required inside Scottsville city limits1
Zoning
City zoning; use must conform to the parcel’s district2
Septic permits
Allen County Health Department; site evaluation before construction permit35
Sewer connection
Required where municipal sewer is available, including a city sewer within 250 feet4
SF district lot size
At least 0.25 acre with public sewer or 0.7 acre with approved onsite sewage6
Residential permit fee
Current application: $400 minimum or 13 cents per square foot, whichever is larger7
Private wells
No state owner application or fee; Kentucky Certified Water Well Driller required8

Who to call

Building permits

Scottsville-Allen County Planning Commission — Residential Building Permits

Scottsville residential building-permit applications, plan submissions and inspection coordination.

270-237-4180

[email protected]

201 West Main St. Suite 202 Scottsville, KY 42164

Zoning

Scottsville-Allen County Planning Commission — Zoning and Applications

Scottsville zoning questions and residential building-permit application forms.

[email protected]

Septic permits

Allen County Health Department

Local onsite sewage site evaluations, septic permits and inspections under Kentucky’s onsite sewage program.

(270) 237-4423

[email protected]

107 North Court St. Scottsville, Kentucky 42164

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 Scottsville means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Scottsville, KY?

Scottsville requires a residential building permit inside city limits, and the Scottsville-Allen County Planning Commission publishes the application.1 Scottsville’s code adopts the Commonwealth Building Code and provides for certified building, electrical and plumbing inspectors for residential construction.910

The current residential application lists a new single-family fee of $400 minimum or 13 cents per square foot, whichever is larger; ask the commission to calculate the charge for your plans.7 Kentucky’s single-family default does not remove Scottsville’s local residential building-permit requirement.111

Who issues building permits in Scottsville, and how do you apply?

Start a Scottsville residential building-permit application with the Scottsville-Allen County Planning Commission at 270-237-4180 or [email protected]; the application gives its address as 201 West Main St. Suite 202 Scottsville, KY 42164.7

The Scottsville application requires a plot or site plan before processing, plus foundation and floor plans with the application and fees.7 After submitting those materials, contact the building inspector before work starts.7 The applicant is responsible for coordinating inspections, and inspection requests require at least 72 hours’ notice.7

Does Scottsville have zoning, lot-size limits and setbacks?

Scottsville has zoning: land use and construction, movement or alteration of structures must conform to the rules of the district where the property lies.2 Ask the Scottsville-Allen County Planning Commission to identify the parcel’s district and applicable setbacks before drawing a site plan.27

In Scottsville’s SF Residential District, a single-family lot needs at least 0.25 acre with public sanitary sewer, or 0.7 acre with a Health Department-approved onsite sewage system.6 Buildings and required parking together may cover no more than 25% of the SF lot.12 Sewer availability therefore affects both sanitation planning and the minimum lot area in that district.64

How do septic permits work inside Scottsville?

Before planning septic in Scottsville, establish whether municipal sewer is available: the city definition includes premises abutting a public way or easement with a capable sewer installation, or a city sewer within 250 feet.4 Scottsville requires connection to available sewer, with a 90-day connection deadline under the ordinance’s existing- and newly-available-service provisions.4

For onsite sewage, the Allen County Health Department administers the local program, including addresses inside Scottsville.3 A site evaluation comes before the septic construction permit, and the application requires a detailed drawing, specifications and fees before any part of the system is built.5 Installation inspection must be requested and completed before backfilling, subject to the regulation’s permitted installer-affidavit procedure.13

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Scottsville?

We could not confirm Scottsville’s rules for long-term RV occupancy, temporary camping, tiny-home occupancy, accessory dwellings or minimum dwelling floor area; ask the Scottsville-Allen County Planning Commission about the proposed use and parcel before buying a unit. Scottsville requires land uses and structures to conform to the parcel’s zoning district.2

Scottsville’s manufactured-home subdivision provisions do supply a narrower answer: the MH-1 standards require at least 5 contiguous acres and 10 lots, with a conditional exception for smaller adjoining tracts extending an existing subdivision.14 Manufactured homes must connect to public sanitary sewer or an onsite system approved by the Health Department.15 Those subdivision standards do not establish permission for RV or tiny-home occupancy on an individual lot.14

Building a home in Scottsville: what are the steps?

  1. Ask the Scottsville-Allen County Planning Commission to confirm the zoning district, proposed use and site layout against Scottsville’s district rules.2
  2. Establish sewer availability; if onsite sewage is appropriate, arrange the Allen County Health Department site evaluation and obtain the septic construction permit before installing the system.435
  3. Submit the Scottsville residential building-permit application, site plan, foundation and floor plans, and fees; contact the building inspector before starting work.7
  4. Coordinate the required building inspections and separate electrical and plumbing inspections; give the building inspector at least 72 hours’ notice for inspection requests.107

What should you check before buying land in Scottsville?

Ask the planning commission about city boundaries and district rules; for land outside Scottsville, use the Allen County guide because the commission’s forms distinguish city-required residential building permits from county-optional residential permits, except qualifying multifamily projects.1

Kentucky requires state and local floodplain development permits in identified floodplains; ask the commission to identify Scottsville’s local floodplain coordinator for the parcel.16 A new single-family driveway approach on Department of Highways right-of-way requires written application to the District Engineer.17 Kentucky does not require an owner application or fee for constructing or abandoning a private well, but the work requires a Kentucky Certified Water Well Driller; ask the commission about any additional city requirements.8

Watch-outs

  • Scottsville’s SF minimum lot area changes with public sewer versus approved onsite sewage; confirm sanitation before treating a small lot as buildable.6
  • Available municipal sewer in Scottsville requires connection; owning enough land for septic does not by itself avoid that requirement.4
  • Ask the Scottsville-Allen County Planning Commission about owner-built work and occupancy approval before construction; Scottsville provides for residential building, electrical and plumbing inspections.10

Sources

  1. Scottsville-Allen County Planning Commission — Zoning and Applications (scottsvilleallencountyplanningandzoning.com)
  2. Scottsville Code § 153.001, Zoning affects every structure or use (Scottsville), quoted and re-checked
  3. Local Health Departments, quoted and re-checked
  4. Scottsville Code § 53.01, Consolidated water and sewer system (Scottsville), quoted and re-checked
  5. 902 KAR 10:085 Kentucky on-site sewage disposal systems, quoted and re-checked
  6. Scottsville Code § 153.072, Required lot area and width (Scottsville), quoted and re-checked
  7. Scottsville-Allen County Planning Commission — Residential Building Permits (scottsvilleallencountyplanningandzoning.com)
  8. Water Well Information for Home Owners (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Scottsville Code § 150.02, Adoption of Building Code (Scottsville), quoted and re-checked
  10. Scottsville Code § 150.02, Adoption of Building Code (Scottsville), quoted and re-checked
  11. 815 KAR 7:125, Kentucky Residential Code (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Scottsville Code § 153.072, Required lot area and width (Scottsville), quoted and re-checked
  13. 902 KAR 10:085 Kentucky on-site sewage disposal systems, quoted and re-checked
  14. Scottsville Code § 153.089, Dimensional and area requirements (Scottsville), quoted and re-checked
  15. Scottsville Code § 153.089, Dimensional and area requirements (Scottsville), quoted and re-checked
  16. Find Your Flood Zone (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. 603 KAR 1:020 Driveway approaches, entrances; construction and maintenance (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

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.

Answers from the rulebook for Scottsville

Scottsville’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Building construction inside Scottsville city limits.

    • The city code adopts the Commonwealth Building Code by reference.
    “The Commonwealth Building Code as promulgated by KRS 198B.050 et seq. and 815 KAR 7:120 is hereby adopted in full as an ordinance of the city and the county as if set out in full herein;”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Single-family residential construction inside Scottsville city limits.

    • The city code provides for a certified building inspector and separately contracted electrical and plumbing inspectors to perform required code duties and inspections.
    “A certified building inspector shall be selected and contracted with to perform the duties required by the Uniform Commonwealth Building Code for single-family residential construction. A certified electrical inspector and a certified plumbing inspector shall be contracted with to perform the plumbing and electrical inspections required by said Uniform Commonwealth Building Code.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Structures and land inside Scottsville city limits.

    • Use, erection, movement, and alteration must conform to the regulations of the district where located; a damaged or destroyed structure may be restored if it does not involve a nonconforming use.
    “No structure or land shall hereafter be used and no structure or part thereof shall be erected, moved or altered, unless for a use expressly permitted by and in conformity with the regulations herein specified for the district in which it is located, except that any structure damaged or destroyed may be restored if such structure does not involve a nonconforming use.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts adopted for Scottsville city.

    • The same section states that Scottsville and Allen County are divided into the listed districts; parcel applicability requires the official zoning map and district-boundary rules.
    “For the purpose of this chapter, the Scottsville and Allen County are hereby divided into zoning districts which shall be designated as follows:”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Single-family dwellings in the SF Residential District inside Scottsville city limits.

    • The lot-size requirement differs according to public sanitary sewer versus a Health Department-approved on-site sanitary sewage system.

    minimum lot area with public sanitary sewer: >= 0.25 acres · minimum lot area with approved on-site sanitary sewage: >= 0.7 acres

    “Minimum required lot area for single-family dwellings shall be one-fourth of one acre or more if connected to a public sanitary sewage disposal system, or seven-tenths of one acre or more if connected to an on-site sanitary sewage disposal system approved by the Health Department.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Single-family dwellings in the SF Residential District inside Scottsville city limits.

    • The maximum includes both the building and required parking.

    maximum building and required parking coverage: <= 25 percent of lot area

    “Building and required parking shall not cover more than 25% of the total lot area.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Structures in the MH-1 Manufactured Home Residential District inside Scottsville city limits.

    • Additional height and area regulations for residential districts may provide exceptions.

    maximum structure height: <= 35 feet (Except as otherwise provided in the additional height and area regulations of the residential districts.)

    “No structure shall exceed 35 feet in height, except as otherwise provided in the additional height and area regulations of the residential districts of this chapter.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured-home residential subdivisions inside Scottsville city limits.

    • The referenced MH-1 district standards require a minimum tract and lot count, sewer or Health Department-approved on-site sanitation, public water, dimensional compliance, and subdivision-regulation compliance.

    minimum contiguous subdivision area: >= 5 acres (A smaller tract adjoining an existing manufactured-home subdivision may be permitted if it extends and conforms to the original subdivision and meets chapter requirements.) · minimum lots: >= 10 lots

    “Each manufactured home residential subdivision shall contain a minimum of five contiguous acres of land and a minimum of ten lots. Development of a smaller tract of land adjacent to an existing manufactured home subdivision may be permitted if:”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Manufactured homes inside Scottsville city limits.

    • An on-site sanitary sewage disposal system requires Health Department approval; public sanitary sewer is the alternative required connection.
    “All manufactured homes shall be connected to the public sanitary sewage system or an on-site sanitary sewage disposal system approved by the Health Department.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Premises inside Scottsville city limits where municipal sewer service is available.

    • Municipal sewer is available when a premises abuts a public way or easement with a capable sewer installation, or when a city sewer is within 250 feet; existing or newly available sewer must be connected within 90 days.

    city sewer availability distance: <= 250 feet (Also available if the premises abuts a street, road, alley, public way, or easement containing a capable sewer installation.) · connection deadline: <= 90 days (Measured from publication for existing available sewers or from installation and operation for newly available sewers.)

    “MUNICIPAL SEWER SERVICE. Being available to any premises if such premises abut upon any street, road, alley, public way, or easement in which there exists a sewer pipe, main, lateral, or other structure or installation of the sewer system capable or receiving flowable wastes, or if there is a city sewer within 250 feet of such premises. [...] All owners and occupants of premises where existing sewers are available, as defined pursuant to this division (B), shall, within 90 days from the date of the publication of this division (B), connect therewith all sanitary sewerage drain pipes of such premises;”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Building permits inside Scottsville city limits.

    • The code requires fee payment before issuance; plans and specifications required by the code must be accompanied by the applicable fee.

    residential fee: per 0.15 USD per square foot (The published Scottsville-Allen County fee schedule lists residential at this rate.) · minimum new-construction plan-review fee: >= 285 USD

    “Residential | $.15 [...] Minimum fee for review of plans under this section shall be $285.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Scottsville or Allen County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Scottsville city limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of structures inside Scottsville city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Scottsville city limits.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term RV occupancy on private land inside Scottsville city limits.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Scottsville city limits.
7 more unanswered
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • 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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Scottsville publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Allen County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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