Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Prestonsburg, Kentucky

Prestonsburg’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Residential portable buildings of 200 sq. ft. or larger, site-built garages and outbuildings inside Prestonsburg city limits

  • A note in the same brochure says a portable building under 120 sq. ft., left on its runners and not attached to a concrete pad or foundation, needs no permit (the note is labeled commercial in the source).
  • Decks are treated as accessory structures; check with the building department before construction.

  portable building size threshold: >= 200 sq. ft. (portable buildings under 120 sq. ft. on runners are not permitted-required per brochure note)

  “portable buildings: residential - portable buildings 200 sq. ft. or larger, site built garages or out-buildings are considered accessory structures and require a building permit.”

  2 more reviewed findings on this topic

  • Required — Constructing or significantly remodeling a structure inside Prestonsburg city limits, issued by the city Department of Building & Construction

    “commencement of construction prior to issuance of the building permit is prohibited.”

  • Required — Fences built inside Prestonsburg city limits

    “fences do require a building permit. fences must meet zoning regulations.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  New buildings and permitted work inside Prestonsburg city limits

  • Applies the Kentucky Building Code and its referenced standards as in effect at the time of permit issuance.
  • Code books are obtained from the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, per the brochure.

  “the code buildings shall be constructed in compliance with the kentucky building code and it's referenced standards applicable at the time of permit issuance.”

• Certificate of occupancyLimited

  Structures inside Prestonsburg city limits in the listed use groups

  • Applies to certain use groups; the brochure says this is determined when the permit is issued.
  • Third-party permit guides also say a certificate of occupancy is needed before occupancy, but that is not an official city source and is not relied on.

  “no person shall use or permit the use of any structure or premises that has been issued a permit under a building permit application until the building official has issued a certificate of occupancy for certain use groups.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Construction and site work on land inside Prestonsburg city limits, under the city's own zoning and subdivision ordinances

  • The city brochure requires the site to comply with the city zoning and subdivision ordinances.
  • The city's Zoning Ordinance PDF (CE_CityZoningOrdinance112117v2.pdf on prestonsburgcity.org) exceeds the page reader's 10 MB limit, so its district contents are not verified here.
  • A zoning map titled Zoning Map, Prestonsburg, Kentucky is referenced by the ordinance per a search snippet only; not opened.

  “your site and location must be in compliance with the city of prestonsburg zoning and subdivision ordinances and suitable for your proposed use.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land division and subdivision of parcels inside Prestonsburg city limits under the city subdivision ordinance

  • Subdivision ordinance text not opened; the brochure requires a recorded plat or deed and subdivision and lot number on the site plan.

  “your site and location must be in compliance with the city of prestonsburg zoning and subdivision ordinances and suitable for your proposed use.”

• Permit processPartial

  Building permit application process inside Prestonsburg city limits

  • Steps in the brochure: obtain the application from the building department, complete it and return it, submit plans and site plan, and pay fees; separate applications are needed for gas, water and sewer taps.
  • The brochure is dated Rev. Jan. 2018; the city permit application forms and online steps were not verified.

  “you must complete a separate application for gas, water and sewer taps”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption for homeowners building inside Prestonsburg city limits
• Zoning districts — Zoning districts of Prestonsburg city
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in the single-family residential district inside Prestonsburg city limits
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in the single-family residential district inside Prestonsburg city limits
• Setbacks — Yard setbacks in the single-family residential district inside Prestonsburg city limits

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.