Bolthole Index

Nelson County, Kentucky

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Bardstown, Kentucky

Bardstown, Kentucky requires building permits for covered construction and enforces the Kentucky Building Code and Kentucky Residential Code.12 City Building & Safety accepts building-permit applications through iWorQ; the Joint City-County Planning Commission handles zoning compliance.34 For land in Bardstown, in Nelson County, sewer availability controls whether private sewage disposal is an option; septic evaluations and installation permits go through Nelson County Health Department Environmental Services.567

At a glance

Building permits
Required for covered construction; city Building & Safety offers online applications13
Zoning
Bardstown has zoning; obtain zoning compliance through the Joint City-County Planning Commission84
Sewer and septic
Mandatory sewer connection under the city’s stated conditions; private systems require approval where eligible59
Street access
Bardstown-street projects require City Engineer entrance and drainage approval10
Agricultural structures
Application lists an agricultural-use affidavit for qualifying agricultural structures on 5+ acres11
Private wells
Kentucky requires a certified driller; property owners have no state well-construction application or fee12

Who to call

Building permits

City of Bardstown Building & Safety

City building-permit applications, payments and inspection results

(502) 348-5947 ext. 2243

[email protected]

220 N. Fifth St. Bardstown, KY 40004

Online permits →

Planning & zoning

Joint City-County Planning Commission of Nelson County

Bardstown zoning questions and zoning-compliance coordination

(502) 348-1805

989 Chambers Blvd. Bardstown, KY 40004

Planning & zoning

Joint City-County Planning Commission — Zoning Compliance

Zoning-compliance applications and construction checklists for Bardstown

Septic permits

Nelson County Health Department Environmental Services

Local environmental-health contact for septic evaluation and approval

502-348-3698

325 South Third Street Bardstown, KY 40004

Roads & driveways

City of Bardstown Engineering Department

City-street entrance, drainage and sanitary sewer connection approvals

(502) 348-5947

220 N. Fifth St. Bardstown, KY 40004

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

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Do you need a building permit in Bardstown, KY?

Bardstown requires a building permit for covered construction, and the city enforces Kentucky’s building and residential codes inside city limits.12 Apply through the City of Bardstown Building & Safety department’s iWorQ portal, which accepts building-permit applications and payments and provides project approvals and inspection results.3

The shared building-and-zoning application calls for construction documents, a plot plan, an address request, applicable access approvals, zoning compliance and fees.13 The agricultural exemption listed on that application applies to agricultural structures on qualifying property of 5+ acres and requires an agricultural-use affidavit; it does not establish a home-building exemption.11

Who handles building permits and zoning approval in Bardstown?

City of Bardstown Building & Safety is the building-permit contact: call (502) 348-5947 ext. 2243 or email [email protected].3 The city’s online portal lets applicants submit building-permit applications and payments and access inspection results.3

For zoning questions, call the Joint City-County Planning Commission of Nelson County at (502) 348-1805; its listed temporary office is at 989 Chambers Blvd. Bardstown, KY 40004.14 The joint commission serves Bardstown and reviews zoning-compliance applications against the applicable zoning regulations.4 Septic administration stays with the local health department through Lincoln Trail District Health Department, rather than moving to the city building counter.67

Does Bardstown have zoning, lot-size rules and setbacks?

Bardstown adopts an official zoning map, and permitted uses and dimensional standards depend on the property’s zoning classification and the applicable regulations.8 The Joint City-County Planning Commission requires zoning compliance for construction, alterations, additions, demolition and placement of buildings and structures.4

Before choosing a house footprint or buying a lot for a particular use, ask the joint commission to identify the Bardstown parcel’s district and provide the applicable use and dimensional standards.814 We could not confirm Bardstown’s district-specific minimum lot area, setbacks, minimum dwelling size, lot coverage or height limits; request those standards from the joint commission before committing to a design.14

How do sewer connections and septic permits work in Bardstown?

For occupied or otherwise used property abutting a street, alley or right-of-way containing public sanitary sewer, Bardstown requires connection at the owner’s expense within 90 days after official notice when the sewer is within 100 feet of the property line.5 Bardstown generally prohibits private wastewater-disposal facilities where public sewer is available under those conditions, subject to the city code’s exceptions.15

Where private sewage disposal is eligible, Bardstown requires a permit that becomes effective only after installation satisfies local and state authorities.9 Kentucky requires a site evaluation before obtaining the septic construction, installation or alteration permit, and local health inspectors conduct evaluations and inspections.167 Contact Nelson County Health Department Environmental Services at 502-348-3698 for the local environmental-health contact.17 City Engineering must approve sanitary sewer connections inside city limits.18

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

We could not confirm a Bardstown rule allowing long-term RV occupancy, temporary camping or tiny-home occupancy on a private lot; ask the Joint City-County Planning Commission about the proposed dwelling and address before relying on that plan.14 Bardstown’s zoning classification controls the applicable uses and dimensional standards, while covered buildings remain subject to the city’s adopted building and residential codes.82

We also could not confirm Bardstown-specific approval conditions for accessory dwellings or manufactured-home occupancy; ask the joint commission for the relevant district requirements and Building & Safety for the construction approval path.143 The shared application calls for additional approvals for manufactured homes, conditional uses and variances when applicable.13

What are the steps for building a home in Bardstown?

Use the zoning and building application requirements to organize the Bardstown project before construction.13

  1. Ask the Joint City-County Planning Commission to identify the parcel’s zoning district and the approvals needed for the proposed home.814
  2. Establish sewer availability and the required connection approval; where septic is eligible, obtain the health department’s site evaluation and septic permit.51816
  3. Obtain entrance and drainage approval from the City Engineer for Bardstown-street projects, or the applicable road-agency approval for another road.10
  4. Prepare the signed application, construction documents, plot plan and other applicable documentation, including historic-district or site-plan approvals where required.13
  5. Complete zoning compliance with the joint commission and submit the city building-permit application through iWorQ; use the portal to follow approvals and inspection results.43

What should you check before buying land in Bardstown?

Check sewer availability first: Bardstown’s mandatory-connection conditions can determine whether a private sewage system is an option, and an existing private system must connect within 60 days when sewer becomes available under the city rule.5 City Engineering maintains utility, street and storm-drainage maps and approves new driveways, drainage and sanitary sewer connections.18

Kentucky does not require a property-owner application or fee for constructing or abandoning a private water well, but construction, modification and abandonment require a Kentucky Certified Water Well Driller.12 We could not confirm additional Bardstown private-well requirements; ask the city before planning a well inside city limits.18

For property outside Bardstown city limits, use the Nelson County guide for the county’s building-permit answer; Nelson County requires permits for the residential construction and alteration covered by its ordinance.19

Watch-outs

  • Bardstown-street projects need City Engineer entrance and drainage approval in addition to building and zoning approvals.10
  • We could not confirm when Bardstown requires a certificate of occupancy or a general owner-builder exemption; ask City Building & Safety before scheduling move-in or doing the work yourself.3
  • Ask City Building & Safety for the current project fee quote: Bardstown’s building and inspection schedules may be amended.20
  • A private sewage system is not a substitute for a required Bardstown sewer connection.515

Sources

  1. Building & Zoning Compliance Permit Application (Bardstown), quoted and re-checked
  2. § 150.35 Adoption of Kentucky Building Code and Kentucky Residential Code (Bardstown), quoted and re-checked
  3. City of Bardstown Building & Safety (cityofbardstown.org)
  4. Joint City-County Planning Commission — Zoning Compliance (ncpz.com)
  5. § 53.020 Mandatory Sewer Connections (Bardstown), quoted and re-checked
  6. Local Health Departments, quoted and re-checked
  7. Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems Program (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. § 153.01 Readopting the Official Zoning Map (Bardstown), quoted and re-checked
  9. § 53.036 Requirements for Installation (Bardstown), quoted and re-checked
  10. Building & Zoning Compliance Permit Application (Bardstown), quoted and re-checked
  11. Building & Zoning Compliance Permit Application (Bardstown), quoted and re-checked
  12. Water Well Information for Home Owners (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Building & Zoning Compliance Permit Application (Bardstown), quoted and re-checked
  14. Joint City-County Planning Commission of Nelson County (ncpz.com)
  15. § 53.020 Mandatory Sewer Connections (Bardstown), quoted and re-checked
  16. 902 KAR 10:085 Kentucky on-site sewage disposal systems, quoted and re-checked
  17. Nelson County Health Department Environmental Services (dhbc.ky.gov)
  18. City of Bardstown Engineering Department (cityofbardstown.org)
  19. Nelson County Code Enforcement Ordinance 2023-009, quoted and re-checked
  20. § 153.02 Fee Schedule (Bardstown), 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 Bardstown

Bardstown’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Building and zoning-compliance applications for construction in Bardstown city.

    • The Nelson County application covers Cities of Bardstown, Bloomfield, Fairfield, and New Haven and Nelson County.
    • Required documentation and fees must be submitted to Nelson County Code Enforcement when applicable.
    “The following documentation and fees, if applicable, must be submitted to the Nelson County Code Enforcement Department: 1. Building Permit/Zoning Compliance application, completed and signed.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Buildings inside Bardstown city limits subject to the Kentucky Building Code or Kentucky Residential Code.

    • The city enforces the Kentucky Building Code under 815 KAR 7:120 and Kentucky Residential Code under 815 KAR 7:125.
    • Ordinance B2024-11 was passed August 15, 2024.
    “The Kentucky Building Code [...] and the Kentucky Residential Code [...] are to be enforced by the City of Bardstown”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Bardstown city limits; Bardstown adopts and readopts an official zoning map.

    • Specific uses and dimensional standards depend on the applicable zoning classification and incorporated zoning regulations.
    “The map being adopted is the same as the official map dated July 8, 1980”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Private sewage disposal systems inside Bardstown city limits where public sewer is unavailable or an exception applies.

    • The permit is subject to local and state regulations.
    • The permit does not become effective until installation is completed to the satisfaction of local and state authorities.
    “A permit for private sewage disposal system shall not become effective”
  • Off-grid sanitationProhibited

    Private wastewater disposal inside Bardstown city limits where public sanitary sewer service is available within the § 53.020(A) conditions.

    • The prohibition is subject to the exceptions in §§ 53.035 and 53.036.
    “unlawful to construct or maintain any privy”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Properties inside Bardstown city limits used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purposes and abutting a street, alley, or right-of-way containing a public sanitary sewer.

    • Connection is required at the owner’s expense within 90 days after official notice when the public sewer is within 100 feet (30.5 meters) of the property line.
    • It is unlawful to construct or maintain a privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool, or other wastewater-disposal facility where public sewer service is available, except as provided in §§ 53.035 and 53.036.
    • When sewer later becomes available to property served by private wastewater disposal, connection must be made within 60 days and the private facility must be cleaned and filled with suitable material or removed.

    public sewer distance: <= 100 feet (30.5 meters from property line) · connection deadline after official notice: 90 days · connection deadline after sewer becomes available to private-system property: 60 days

    “within 90 days [...] public sewer is within 100 feet”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Agricultural structures associated with qualifying property in the Bardstown/Nelson County permit process.

    • The application checklist specifies an agricultural exemption for 5+ acres.
    • The affidavit is for agricultural structures only.

    minimum acreage: >= 5 acres (agricultural structures only)

    “Agricultural Exemption (5+ acres). Executed agricultural use affidavit (agricultural structures only).”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Projects fronting Bardstown streets inside Bardstown city limits.

    • For Bardstown streets, the application requires a copy of entrance and drainage approval from the City Engineer for all projects.
    • State roads require an approved state entrance permit; county roads require an approved county encroachment permit; other listed cities require the appropriate city documentation.
    “Bardstown Streets: Copy of entrance and drainage approval from City Engineer (all projects).”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Planning, zoning, building-permit, trailer, plat, sign, and certificate-of-occupancy fees in Bardstown city.

    • Building permit fee is $.04 per square foot, with basement, porches, carports, and accessory buildings at $.02 per square foot.
    • Building permit minimum is $10 and maximum is $500.
    • The schedule also lists zoning amendments, conditional uses, trailer permits, plat fees, sign permits, certificate-of-occupancy fee, and late fees.
    • Building and inspection fees under § 150.38 are provided in Schedules A through E attached to Ordinance B2024-11 and may be amended.

    building permit fee: 0.04 USD per square foot (basement, porches, carports, and accessory buildings assessed at $.02 per square foot) · building permit minimum: 10 USD · building permit maximum: 500 USD · certificate of occupancy fee: 5 USD

    “Building permits. $.04 per square foot [...] Minimum fee $ 10 [...] Maximum fee 500”

Rules another office applies inside Bardstown

Bardstown does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Permit processPartial

    Building and zoning-compliance permit process for projects in Bardstown city.

    • The application requires a signed application, construction documents, plot plan, address request, applicable encroachment permit, zoning-compliance permit, and applicable fees.
    • Bardstown streets require entrance and drainage approval from the City Engineer for all projects.
    • The application requires septic documentation when applicable and additional approvals for site plans, historic districts, manufactured homes, conditional uses, and variances.
    “Building Permit/Zoning Compliance application, completed and signed. [...] Plot plan.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions inside Bardstown city limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements inside Bardstown city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size by Bardstown zoning district.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size by Bardstown zoning district.
  • Setbacks — Building setbacks by Bardstown zoning district.
9 more unanswered
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Well permit
  • 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 Bardstown publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Nelson County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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