Bolthole Index

McCreary County, Kentucky

Building permits, zoning and land rules in McCreary County, Kentucky

63Index Score / 100
#60 of 120 in Kentucky

McCreary County, Kentucky requires a local residential building permit, and the Fiscal Court provides building and electrical inspections through contracted inspectors12. The county reports that property is not zoned, while septic permits and site evaluations go through the Lake Cumberland District Health Department34. Ask the County Judge Executive's Office for the current building application, inspector contact and residential fee schedule because those details are not published in the available county material5.

At a glance

Building permit
Required locally for a residence; confirm the current application and scope with the County Judge Executive's Office15
Building inspections
Provided by the Fiscal Court through contracts with duly appointed inspectors2
Zoning
The county reports property as not zoned; ask about parcel-specific restrictions before relying on that description3
Septic permits
Site evaluation and permit through Lake Cumberland District Health Department46
RV or tiny-home living
Long-term private-land occupancy rules could not be confirmed; ask the County Judge Executive's Office5
Owner-builder
No local permit exemption could be confirmed; Kentucky allows a homeowner to obtain a plumbing permit for a personal residence78
Private well
Kentucky requires the person doing well work to hold the appropriate driller certificate; a separate owner-applied county permit could not be confirmed9
Floodplain development
Development in an identified floodplain needs both state and local floodplain permits10

Who to call

Building permits

McCreary County Judge Executive's Office

Starting point for county building and electrical inspection contracts, current inspector contacts, permit applications and local fee questions

606-376-2413

[email protected]

PO Box 579, Whitley City, KY 42653

Health department

McCreary County Health Department (Lake Cumberland District Health Department)

McCreary County onsite sewage site evaluations, permits and installation inspections

(606) 376-2412

119 Medical Lane, Whitley City, KY 42653

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 28, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in McCreary County, Kentucky?

Yes. McCreary County requires a local residential building permit, and the county Administrative Code says the Fiscal Court provides building and electrical inspections through contracts with duly appointed inspectors12. Kentucky otherwise does not require permits, inspections or certificates of occupancy for a single-family dwelling unless a local ordinance requires them, which is why the McCreary County process matters111213. The available county material does not publish a direct residential permit rule, application, fee schedule or certificate-of-occupancy requirement, so ask the County Judge Executive's Office to confirm the current scope before ordering plans or starting work5. Kentucky's statewide building and residential codes still govern covered construction14.

Who issues building permits in McCreary County, and how do you reach them?

Start with the McCreary County Judge Executive's Office because the Fiscal Court keeps the contracts and contact information for the duly appointed building and electrical inspectors2. The office is at PO Box 579, Whitley City, KY 42653; call 606-376-2413 or email [email protected]5. Ask for the current residential building-permit application, the inspector assigned to your project, the inspection sequence, any certificate-of-occupancy requirement and the local fee schedule. The available county sources publish business-license fees, but those charges are for local and itinerant businesses rather than residential construction permits15. State plan-review and inspection fees apply when the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction performs that work, so confirm which authority will review your particular project before estimating fees16.

Does McCreary County have zoning?

McCreary County reports property as “Not Zoned”3. Treat that as the countywide starting point, not a promise that every use is unrestricted. The available official material does not confirm the complete zoning pattern inside incorporated municipalities or establish county rules for minimum lot size, setbacks, lot coverage, building height or minimum dwelling size. Ask the County Judge Executive's Office and the relevant city, if the parcel is inside city limits, about parcel-specific restrictions before buying5. A lack of county zoning also does not remove building-code, septic, floodplain or subdivision requirements1461017.

How do septic permits work in McCreary County?

The Lake Cumberland District Health Department administers onsite septic site evaluations and permits for McCreary County4. Contact the McCreary County Health Department at 119 Medical Lane, Whitley City, KY 42653 or (606) 376-241218. Kentucky requires a local-health-department permit before an onsite sewage system is constructed, installed or altered; the permit follows a site evaluation and is issued only to a certified installer or the homeowner6. A certified inspector must inspect a system that is installed, constructed, altered or repaired, and installation inspection must occur before backfilling19. Only 1.3% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so make the site evaluation an early purchase contingency rather than assuming a conventional layout will work20. Where sewer is unavailable, the house drain must connect to an approved private sewage disposal system21.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on land in McCreary County?

We could not confirm a McCreary County rule allowing or prohibiting long-term RV living, temporary camping on private land, tiny-home occupancy, manufactured-home occupancy or accessory dwellings. The county's reported lack of zoning does not by itself answer those questions3. Ask the County Judge Executive's Office about occupancy, utility and inspection requirements for the exact parcel and structure before moving onto the land5. Kentucky's vehicle-camping statute answers only a different, narrow question: it permits sleeping for less than 12 hours in a vehicle lawfully parked on a public road, street or parking lot, and it does not establish permission for long-term RV occupancy on private land22. A site-built tiny home remains subject to the Kentucky residential-code framework, while manufactured homes follow separate Kentucky statutes14.

What are the steps to build a home in McCreary County?

  1. Ask the County Judge Executive's Office for the current building application, contracted inspector, inspection sequence, fees and any certificate-of-occupancy requirement52.
  1. Check the flood map before fixing the house site because development in an identified floodplain requires state and local floodplain permits10.
  1. Arrange the health department's septic site evaluation early; only 1.3% of county soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field420.
  1. Obtain the septic construction permit before work and schedule inspection before backfilling619.
  1. Obtain the Kentucky plumbing permit before plumbing construction or alteration; homeowners may receive one for their own personal residence8.
  1. Apply in writing to the state District Engineer before building a driveway connection on a Kentucky highway right-of-way23.

What should you check before buying land in McCreary County?

Make septic feasibility the first physical due-diligence item because only 1.3% of McCreary County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field20. Terrain also narrows the practical building envelope: 13% of the land has a slope of 15% or less, and 93.4% is wooded2425. Federal land covers 56% of the county, so verify parcel boundaries, legal access and private title rather than assuming adjacent open land is part of the tract26. Check mapped flood risk and the required state and local permits before choosing a homesite10. If the property needs a well, use a properly certified Kentucky driller and ask whether any additional local approval applies9. Typical effective property tax is about 0.7%, with a median annual bill near $5652728.

Watch-outs

  • A contracted county inspection program is confirmed, but the available county material does not publish the current residential permit application or fee schedule; get both from the County Judge Executive's Office before budgeting25.
  • Long-term RV living, private-land camping and tiny-home occupancy could not be confirmed for McCreary County; ask the County Judge Executive's Office about the exact parcel and proposed use5.
  • Only 1.3% of McCreary County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so do not buy on the assumption that a standard septic layout will pass20.

Sources

  1. Kentucky DHBC - McCreary County Local Building Inspector (2026 county census)
  2. McCreary County Administrative Code, quoted and re-checked
  3. McCreary County - Development (2026 county census)
  4. Lake Cumberland District Health Department - Onsite Sewage Disposal (2026 county census)
  5. McCreary County Judge Executive's Office (mccrearycounty.com)
  6. 902 KAR 10:110. Issuance of on-site sewage disposal system permits (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  7. Plumbing frequently asked questions (2026 county census)
  8. Division of Plumbing Fee Change and Permit Information (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. 401 KAR 6:320. Certification of water well drillers and water well driller assistants (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Find Your Flood Zone (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. 815 KAR 7:125, Kentucky Residential Code (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. 815 KAR 7:125, Kentucky Residential Code (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. 815 KAR 7:125, Kentucky Residential Code (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. 815 KAR 7:120 Kentucky Building Code (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. McCreary County Business Permit Application, quoted and re-checked
  16. 815 KAR 7:120 Kentucky Building Code, quoted and re-checked
  17. KRS 100.277 — Commission approval required for subdivisions (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. McCreary County Health Department (Lake Cumberland District Health Department) (lcdhd.org)
  19. 902 KAR 10:085. System Installation Inspection (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  21. 815 KAR 20:130. House sewers and storm water piping; methods of installation (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. KRS 511.110 — Unlawful camping (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. 603 KAR 1:020 Driveway approaches, entrances; construction and maintenance (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  26. Federal land share: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 28, 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.

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County locator

McCreary County in Kentucky

63
County map
McCreary County highlighted among the Kentucky counties · colored by Index score

How McCreary County scores

Seclusion57100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency45100% ev.
Admin Boringness5890% ev.
Durability76100% ev.
Property Autonomy33100% ev.
Carry Cost90100% ev.

Evidence strength: 98%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$103kTypical home
0.7%Property tax
$3,161Land / acre
54.1"Annual rain
2.1% of yrsSevere drought
3.7 / yr (+3.5)Mid-century 100°F days
12.6 daysMid-century dry spell
1.97" (+7.1%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.75×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,353Home insurance / yr
0.2% / yrInsurance growth
0.56%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
19,985People within 30 min
2,052,195People within 2 hr
36,355Radius comparison (15 mi)
39.9People / sq mi
56%Federal land
13%Land at 15% slope or less
1.3%Septic soil without severe limits
3,197 acWorkable land screen
93.4%Wooded land
65.2 tonsBiomass / forest ac
55.8°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for McCreary County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

McCreary County rules

  • InspectionsRequired

    Building and electrical inspections administered for McCreary County projects subject to state-law inspection requirements.

    • The county administrative code says inspections are provided through Fiscal Court contracts with duly appointed inspectors.
    • The DHBC county sheet identifies a local building inspector and local electrical-inspector contact route.
    • Inspection requirements vary by building type and state/local jurisdiction.
    “Building and Electrical Inspections, as required by state law, shall be provided by the Fiscal Court through contract with duly appointed inspectors.”
  • Who permits septicLocal

    Onsite sewage disposal administration for McCreary County through the Lake Cumberland District Health Department service area.

    • The LCDHD page lists McCreary County among its county locations.
    • State onsite-wastewater rules and certified installer requirements also apply.
    “Lake Cumberland District Health Department has developed this step-by-step guide to aid in the new home on-site sewage disposal procedure. Contact your local health department for more information.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Installed onsite sewage systems serving new homes in McCreary County.

    • The system must be installed according to the permit.
    • The Health Department must be notified after installation.
    • The Health Department approves or disapproves the installation.
    • A permanent electric sticker is issued upon approval.
    “Step 4: Septic is installed according to permit and Health Department notified upon installation. Health Department inspects the system and either approves or disapproves installation. Upon approval, a Permanent electric sticker will be issued to the homeowner.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    McCreary County business permits, including local and itinerant businesses.

    • The application states a $20 fee for a local business.
    • The application states a $50 fee for itinerant businesses.
    • The application marks nonprofit applicants as having no fee, but does not state the full nonprofit eligibility conditions on the fee lines themselves.
    • Applications and checks are mailed to the McCreary County Business Permit office, payable to the Tax Administrator, during Monday-Friday office hours of 8:30am-4:30pm.

    local business permit fee: 20 USD · itinerant business permit fee: 50 USD · nonprofit business permit fee: 0 USD (The application separately requires nonprofit documentation, including IRS acknowledgement of status or Kentucky articles of incorporation.)

    “NON-PROFIT * NO FEE * MUST ATTACH “IRS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF STATUS”OR “ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION” FROM STATE OF KENTUCKY [...] $20 LOCAL BUSINESS $50 ITINERANT BUSINESSES”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    The county's official development page lists property as 'Zoning- Not Zoned,' indicating McCreary County has no zoning ordinance.

    McCreary County - Development ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Kentucky rules that apply here

  • Building permitNot required (with conditions)

    Single-family dwellings constructed in Kentucky under the Kentucky Residential Code.

    • A local ordinance may independently require a permit.
    • The 2015 International Residential Code and 2018 Kentucky Residential Code apply to the covered residential construction.
    • This claim does not determine municipal or county permit ordinances.
    “Permits, inspections, and certificates of occupancy shall not be required for a single-family dwelling unless required by local ordinance.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Owner-performed plumbing, sewerage, or drainage work in an owner-occupied personal residence or a home the owner will construct for personal residential use.

    • Application must be made before work begins.
    • The homeowner must file an affidavit.
    • All work must comply with the state plumbing code.
    • All work must be personally performed by the owner.
    • Only one homeowner permit for construction of a new home may be issued to an individual in a five-year period.
    “Permits to construct, install or alter plumbing, sewerage or drainage may be issued to homeowners who desire to install plumbing in homes actually occupied by them or in a home to be constructed by them for their own personal residential use, if all the following requirements are met:”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Buildings constructed statewide in Kentucky, including residential and nonresidential construction subject to the Kentucky Building Code and Kentucky Residential Code.

    • The 2015 International Building Code is the mandatory state building code for buildings constructed in Kentucky, subject to Kentucky amendments in the 2018 Kentucky Building Code.
    • One-family dwellings, two-family dwellings, and townhouses are governed by 815 KAR 7:125 and the 2015 International Residential Code with Kentucky amendments in the 2018 Kentucky Residential Code.
    • Permits, inspections, and certificates of occupancy are not required for a single-family dwelling unless required by local ordinance.
    • Residential occupancies that are not single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings, or townhouses must comply with the 2015 International Building Code and the 2018 Kentucky Building Code.
    • Manufactured homes are governed by KRS 227.550 through 227.665.

    base building code: 2015 International Building Code (Kentucky amendments in the 2018 Kentucky Building Code supersede conflicting provisions) · residential code: 2015 International Residential Code; 2018 Kentucky Residential Code amendments (Applies to single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings, and townhouses under 815 KAR 7:125) · mandatory effective date: 2019-01-01

    “Building Code. The 2015 International Building shall be the mandatory state building code for all buildings constructed in Kentucky except that: (1) The Kentucky amendments in the 2018 Kentucky Building Code shall supersede any conflicting provision in the 2015 International Building Code; (2) One (1) family dwellings, two (2) family dwellings, and townhouses shall be governed by 815 KAR 7:125; and (3) Manufactured homes shall be governed by KRS 227.550 through 227.665.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Kentucky construction, including applicable construction in McCreary County.
      “The Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction adopted the 2018 Kentucky Building Code, Second Edition and the 2018 Kentucky Residential Code, Second Edition on August 3, 2019.”
  • Certificate of occupancyNot required (with conditions)

    Single-family dwellings constructed in Kentucky under the Kentucky Residential Code.

    • A local ordinance may independently require a certificate of occupancy.
    • This claim does not determine municipal or county certificate-of-occupancy ordinances.
    “Permits, inspections, and certificates of occupancy shall not be required for a single-family dwelling unless required by local ordinance.”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Accessory dwelling units on lots containing a single-family home in a county containing a consolidated local government, when a new lease is initiated after June 27, 2025 and the lot is in a traditional single-family home zone.

    • The owner may not lease or allow the accessory dwelling unit to be occupied unless the owner primarily resides in the single-family home, multifamily housing unit, or accessory dwelling unit on the lot.
    • The restriction applies only in a county containing a consolidated local government.
    • A traditional single-family home zone is a zone that, as of January 1, 2025, did not include multifamily homes as a permitted use.
    • The restriction does not apply to a lot containing only one single-family home and no accessory dwelling unit.
    • The statutory effective date is June 27, 2025.

    new lease applicability date: > 2025-06-27 (The statute applies to new leases initiated after June 27, 2025.)

    “In a county containing a consolidated local government, for new leases initiated after June 27, 2025, a property owner shall not lease or allow to be occupied any single-family home, multifamily housing unit, or accessory dwelling unit located on a lot that contains a single-family home and that is located in a traditional single-family home zone, unless the owner primarily resides in the single-family home or multifamily housing unit or an accessory dwelling unit on the lot.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    On-site sewage disposal systems subject to Kentucky Cabinet administrative regulation in McCreary County.

    • A permit must be obtained from the local health department before construction, installation, or alteration.
    • A $50 on-site sewage disposal permit fee and any local board-of-health fee are required under 902 KAR 10:110.
    • Cluster-system plan review has a $600 fee payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer.
    • Permits are generally issued only to certified installers, with specified homeowner-permit conditions.

    on-site sewage disposal permit fee: 50 USD (plus the required fee established by the local board of health) · cluster system plan review fee: 600 USD (payable by check or money order to the Kentucky State Treasurer)

    “KRS 211.350 provides that no person, firm, or corporation shall construct, install, alter or cause to be constructed, installed, or altered any on-site sewage disposal system subject to administrative regulation by the cabinet without having first obtained an on-site sewage disposal permit from the local health department.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Construction, installation, or alteration of an onsite sewage disposal system subject to Kentucky Cabinet regulation.
      “a permit to construct, install, or alter an on-site sewage disposal system shall be obtained prior to construction of any portion of that system.”
  • Off-grid sanitationAllowed (with conditions)

    Use of an approved private onsite sewage disposal system for a building where a public sewer is unavailable.

    • The private sewage disposal system must be approved.
    • Construction, installation, alteration, or repair requires the applicable onsite sewage disposal permit and inspection requirements.
    • This finding addresses private onsite sewage disposal, not unregulated composting toilets, straight pipes, cesspools, or other sanitation methods not covered by the cited rule.
    “If a sewer is not available, the house drain from a building shall connect with an approved private sewage disposal system.”
  • Well permitLimited

    Construction, alteration, repair, or abandonment of water supply wells in Kentucky.

    • The person performing the work must first obtain a water well driller or water well driller assistant certificate from the Cabinet.
    • The certificate authorizes only the drilling methods stated on the certificate.
    • The cited sources establish driller certification rather than a separate owner-applied construction permit for ordinary water supply wells.

    minimum examination score: >= 70 percent (applicable examination)

    “A person shall not construct, alter, repair, or abandon a water well without first obtaining a water well driller or water well driller assistant certificate”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Buildings subject to the Kentucky State Plumbing Code.

    • A building must have an independent connection to either a public or private sewer or sewer system.
    • If a sewer is not available, the house drain must connect to an approved private sewage disposal system.
    • The cited rule does not establish a universal requirement to connect to public water service.
    “If a sewer is not available, the house drain from a building shall connect with an approved private sewage disposal system.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Agritourism buildings subject to the Kentucky Building Code.

    • Except as otherwise provided, an agritourism building must comply with the Kentucky Building Code.
    • The exemption applies to an agritourism building built prior to December 31, 2016.
    • The pre-December 31, 2016 building is exempt from seismic requirements.
    • If the building has a capacity of 400 persons or is 6,000 square feet or less, it does not require the services of a Kentucky-licensed architect.

    construction date threshold: < December 31, 2016 · building capacity threshold: <= 400 persons (The statute states "has a capacity of four hundred (400) persons or is six thousand (6,000) square feet or less.") · building area threshold: <= 6000 square feet (The statute states "has a capacity of four hundred (400) persons or is six thousand (6,000) square feet or less.")

    “An agritourism building built prior to December 31, 2016, shall be exempt from the following requirements within the Kentucky Building Code: (a) An agritourism building built prior to December 31, 2016, shall not be required to comply with the seismic requirements within the Kentucky Building Code; and (b) If an agritourism building has a capacity of four hundred (400) persons or is six thousand (6,000) square feet or less, an agritourism building built prior to December 31, 2016, shall not require the services of an architect licensed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Conditional — Kentucky farmstead plumbing-permit exemption conditions potentially applicable to qualifying property in McCreary County.
      “A. To qualify for a farmstead exemption the following must be met. A farm dwelling together with other farm buildings and structures incident to the operation and maintenance of the farm situated on 10 acres or more of land which is located outside the corporate limits of a municipality.”
    • Conditional — Division of land for agricultural use under Kentucky subdivision law.
      “provided that a division of land for agricultural use and not involving a new street shall not be deemed a subdivision.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land within a Kentucky planning-unit jurisdiction.

    • All subdivision of land must receive planning-commission approval.
    • A person may not subdivide land before securing approval of a planning-commission plat.
    • A subdivision plat may not be recorded by the county clerk until commission approval is entered on the plat.
    • The statute's agricultural-use exception is addressed separately in KRS 100.111(22).
    “All subdivision of land shall receive commission approval. No person or his agent shall subdivide any land before securing the approval of the planning commission of a plat designating the areas to be subdivided, and no plat of a subdivision of land within the planning unit jurisdiction shall be recorded by the county clerk until the plat has been approved by the commission and the approval entered thereon in writing by the chairman, secretary, or other duly authorized officer of the commission.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    New or additional private farm or single-family dwelling driveway approaches on Kentucky Department of Highways rights-of-way.

    • The owner or occupant must make formal written application to the District Engineer of the Department of Highways.
    • The applicant must furnish required drainage pipe, tile, or other drainage structure at the applicant's own expense.
    • The Department may participate up to $300 for specified construction work.
    • No indemnity bond or other security is required unless estimated construction cost within the right-of-way exceeds $300.
    • The District Engineer may approve or disapprove the application.

    department participation maximum: <= 300 USD (specified drainage, grading, and surfacing work within right-of-way limits)

    “The owner or occupant of property, who desires to construct new or additional private farm or single family dwelling driveway approaches, shall make formal application in writing, to the District Engineer of the Department of Highways.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — New, additional, relocated, or modified driveway entrance approaches serving commercial property or property used for a purpose other than farming or a single-family dwelling.
      “The owner or occupant of property, used for commercial or any purpose other than farming or single family dwelling, who desires to construct new or additional driveway entrance approaches, to relocate, or make other changes in existing driveway entrance approaches thereto, shall make application for a permit to the District Engineer of the Department of Highways upon standard forms furnished by the Transportation Cabinet.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in an identified Kentucky floodplain, including development in mapped A and AE zones.

    • Both a state and local floodplain permit are required for development in an identified floodplain.
    • State and local permits are required for development in A and AE zones.
    • The Kentucky Division of Water issues general or individual floodplain permits.
    • General permits cover eligible activities that do not change the Base Flood Elevation and have minimal flood-risk potential.
    • Developments that do not meet general-permit eligibility or could change the Base Flood Elevation require an individual permit.
    • The source directs applicants to consult the local floodplain coordinator for local requirements.

    general permit nonsubstantial improvement threshold: < 50 percent of structure valuation (including labor)

    “Any development in an identified floodplain in Kentucky requires a state and a local floodplain permit.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Plumbing construction and alteration work in Kentucky administered by the Division of Plumbing.

    • A plumbing construction permit must be obtained before construction, installation, or alteration.
    • Permits may be issued to licensed master plumbers or homeowners for plumbing in their own personal residences.
    • Work performed by someone other than a homeowner using the homeowner's own permit must be installed by a licensed journeyman plumber under the supervision of a licensed master plumber.
    • The Division reviews plans for construction on all buildings serving the public and inspects installations for compliance with the Kentucky State Plumbing Code.
    “No person, firm or corporation shall construct, install or alter any plumbing without first having procured a plumbing construction permit from the Division of Plumbing. Plumbing permits may be issued to licensed master plumbers or to homeowners for plumbing in their own personal residences.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Partial — Building-code plan review, permit issuance, and inspection jurisdiction applicable in McCreary County.
      “Responsibilities for the enforcement of the KBC are shared between the Division of Building Codes Enforcement and the local government (city or county) building departments. Not all building construction projects require review and inspection by the Division of Building Codes Enforcement.”
  • Campground & park staysTemporary only (with conditions)

    Sleeping temporarily in a recreational vehicle or other vehicle in a vehicle-based location covered by KRS 511.110.

    • The vehicle must be parked lawfully on a public road, street, or parking lot.
    • Sleeping and parking at the location must occur for less than twelve (12) hours.
    • This provision does not establish permission for long-term or permanent RV occupancy on private land.
    • KRS 511.110 separately prohibits camping in specified areas when the area has not been designated for sleeping or camping or the person lacks authorization.

    maximum sleeping and parking period: < 12 hours

    “Nothing in this section shall prevent a person from sleeping temporarily in his or her vehicle parked lawfully on a public road, street, or parking lot, where the sleeping and parking of the vehicle at the location occur for a period of less than twelve (12) hours.”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    Kentucky counties may adopt permanent land-use regulations, including zoning, through the applicable planning-unit process; this authority reaches county jurisdiction, including unincorporated areas, subject to the statutory planning prerequisites.

    • The planning commission and legislative bodies must have adopted the required comprehensive-plan elements before permanent zoning may be enacted.
    • The authority is exercised by legislative bodies and fiscal courts within the planning unit.
    • The quoted statute also authorizes zoning and land-use regulations for the listed public-health, safety, welfare, development, density, parking, fire and police protection, flood, transportation, public-facility, school, historic-district, agricultural-land, natural-resource, and other specially protected-area purposes.
    “When all required elements of the comprehensive plan have been adopted in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, then the legislative bodies and fiscal courts within the planning unit may enact permanent land use regulations, including zoning and other kinds of growth management regulations”
  • county building authorityGeneral

    Kentucky fiscal courts may adopt and enforce construction regulations and may require building permits for construction in the county, including residential construction in unincorporated areas.

    • The construction regulations must be adopted by county order or resolution.
    • The regulations operate pursuant to KRS 198B.060 and the Uniform State Building Code framework.
    • A county building inspector may administer the regulations.
    • No person may build, erect, construct, reconstruct, remodel, relocate, alter, or repair a building within the county without first obtaining a building permit from the building inspector when the county permit system applies.
    • Permit fees must be reasonable and may not exceed the cost of the service provided.
    • A person aggrieved by the building inspector's ruling, order, or decision may appeal under KRS 198B.070.

    permit fee ceiling: <= cost of the service provided

    “The fiscal court of any county shall have authority, by order or resolution, to adopt, and to enforce, regulations governing construction as defined by KRS 198B.010 pursuant to the provisions of KRS 198B.060.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Local zoning — Aggregate of unincorporated McCreary County and incorporated municipalities.
  • Zoning districts — Publication of McCreary County zoning districts or a zoning map.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in unincorporated McCreary County.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in unincorporated McCreary County.
  • Setbacks — Building setbacks in unincorporated McCreary County.
7 more unanswered
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • 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.

Living off-grid in McCreary County, Kentucky

Is McCreary County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

McCreary County scores 63/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and 56% federal land exposure. Watch-outs: a weaker property-autonomy legal backdrop.

Do you need a building permit in McCreary County, Kentucky?

McCreary County generally requires a residential building permit, and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Lake Cumberland District Health Department. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in McCreary County, Kentucky?

Land in McCreary County runs about $3,161 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in McCreary County?

McCreary County gets about 54.1" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 2.1% of years.

How remote is McCreary County?

A representative private-land location has about 19,985 people within a 30-minute drive and 2,052,195 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in McCreary County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How McCreary compares in Kentucky

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