Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Flatwoods, Kentucky

Flatwoods’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Erecting structures or foundations inside Flatwoods city

  • Permit issued only for structures conforming to the zoning ordinance and Kentucky Building Code.
  • Permit effective six months; one six-month extension possible if substantial construction occurred.
  • Multi-family, commercial, industrial and assembly structures require plan review.

  “No structure shall be erected nor any foundation constructed until a building permit for such construction has been issued by the appropriate building official.”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Flatwoods city limits (Greenup County, KY)

  • Zoning is Appendix A of the city code; the Greenup County Joint Planning Commission and the city board of adjustment are referenced in definitions.

  “Building permits shall be issued for structures which conform to the requirements of this ordinance as well as those of the Kentucky Building Code.”

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Zoning districts inside Flatwoods city

  • Schedule of Dimension and Area Regulations lists R-1, R-2, HC, CC, GI, HCI; Sec. 300.13 also names an Agricultural zone and PUD standards exist in Article XIX.

  “In the following zones: Agricultural, Residential 1, Residential 2, Commercial, Highway Commercial District & Highway Commercial Inclusive”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  R-1 Single Family Residential district inside Flatwoods city (new developments)

  • Corner lots 9,000 sq ft.
  • R-2 and agricultural district lot sizes not resolved.

  minimum lot area: >= 7500 sq ft (corner lots 9,000 sq ft)

  “Single family detached dwellings units: Seven thousand five hundred (7,500) square feet”

• Lot coverageSpecified

  R-1 district inside Flatwoods city (first column of schedule)

  • R-2 shows 55% in the same schedule.

  maximum lot coverage by buildings: <= 45 percent

  “maximum % of lot area that may be covered by buildings 45% 55% 55%”

• Building heightSpecified

  R-1 district inside Flatwoods city

  • Height may be increased up to 50 ft if each side yard is increased by the same amount over the 30 ft maximum (note 1, as applied to the schedule).

  maximum building height: <= 30 feet (2 story)

  “maximum height of building 30 ft. 2 story 30 ft. 2 story (1)”

• Living in an RVLimited

  A single camper/travel trailer/motor home stored on an R-1 lot inside Flatwoods city

  • Must be owned by the occupant of the principal dwelling.
  • Parked on side or rear of lot, observing accessory structure setbacks.
  • No utility connection or sleeping use for more than 14 days per year.

  sleeping/utility use limit: <= 14 days per year

  “Any camper, travel trailer or motor home shall not be connected to any service utility nor utilized for sleeping purposes for more than fourteen (14) days per year”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Private wastewater systems inside Flatwoods city

  • Unlawful where public sanitary sewer service is available, except as provided in Division 3 (Private Wastewater Disposal), which was not reviewed.

  “It shall be unlawful to construct or maintain any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool or other facility intended or used for the disposal of waste water where public sanitary sewer service is available”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdividing or reducing lots inside Flatwoods city

  • Separate Flatwoods Subdivision Regulations are referenced in the PUD article; not reviewed.

  “No lot shall be reduced or subdivided in a manner which results in any open space, landscaping, set-backs or lot area to be smaller than the minimum required under this ordinance.”

• Permit processPartial

  Building permit process inside Flatwoods city

  • Zoning permit and construction plans precede building permit for manufactured homes (Sec. 1000.3).
  • Permit valid six months; extension possible; online application not reviewed.

  permit validity: 6 months (one six-month extension if substantial construction occurred)

  “Building permits shall be effective for six (6) months from the date issued.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Flatwoods city
• Inspections — Building inspections inside Flatwoods city
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy inside Flatwoods city
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping inside Flatwoods city
• Tiny homes — Tiny homes inside Flatwoods city

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.