Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Goshen, Kentucky

Goshen’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  New construction, exterior renovation, excavation, driveways, fences, garages and outbuildings inside Goshen city.

  • Approval is from the city's Architectural Control Committee before construction proceeds.
  • The codified code also requires a county building permit (available from the county planning and zoning commission) as a condition of approval, if the committee requires it.
  • The city's ordinance page says the requirement covers new construction and exterior work, not only new homes.

  “all new construction, exterior renovation or excavation of any kind (including, but not limited to, driveways, fences, garages or out buildings) need prior approval from the architectural control committee.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Goshen city limits. The city has adopted the Oldham County Zoning Ordinance by reference as its zoning law; it has no separate city zoning ordinance in the codified text reviewed.

  • The adopted zoning text is the Oldham County Zoning Ordinance, as amended from time to time; the county ordinance itself was not opened in this research.
  • The codified text says the city adopts the county ordinance 'as amended from time to time', so the city's zoning rules follow later county amendments.
  • Code text reviewed is the Goshen Codified 2019 with supplements through 2019 S-1; later city ordinances were not checked.

  “the oldham county zoning ordinance, as amended from time to time, is hereby adopted by the city and incorporated by reference as if set out in full, pursuant to the provisions of krs 83a.060.”

• Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

  Single-family residences erected inside Goshen city.

  • One-story residences need at least 1,450 sq ft of living space, not counting garage, breezeway or open porch.
  • Residences of more than one story, including bi-level, split-level, tri-level, cape cod and two-story, need at least 1,850 sq ft of living space, not counting garage, breezeway or open porch.

  minimum living space, one-story residence: >= 1450 sq ft (excludes garage, breezeway and/or open porch) · minimum living space, residence of more than one story: >= 1850 sq ft (excludes garage, breezeway and/or open porch)

  “a one-story residence shall have a minimum of 1,450 square feet of living space, not including garage, breezeway and/or open porch.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Buildings and residences on lots inside Goshen city.

  • Side and rear distances follow the Oldham County comprehensive planning and zoning regulations, which were not opened, so no numeric setback is given here.
  • Front setback is the minimum front building line shown on the recorded plat.
  • Adjacent-structure distances follow the county regulations.

  “no residence or other buildings shall be located nearer to any side lot line, nor closer to a structure on an adjoining lot, than the distance permitted by oldham county comprehensive planning and zoning regulations.”

• Living in an RVProhibited

  Living in a house trailer, motor camper or camper trailer as a residence on any lot inside Goshen city.

  • The prohibition is on using these units as a residence; it does not address short visits or non-residential camping.
  • Section 152.15 applies to all lots in the city, which are to be used exclusively for single-family, private residences.

  “no house trailers, mobile homes, motor campers, camper trailers, basements, tents, garages, outbuildings or temporary structures shall be used as a residence on any”

• Manufactured homesProhibited

  Using a mobile home as a residence on any lot inside Goshen city.

  • Applies to mobile homes used as a residence; the code's section 152.15 is the source for this restriction.

  “no house trailers, mobile homes, motor campers, camper trailers, basements, tents, garages, outbuildings or temporary structures shall be used as a residence on any”

• Accessory dwellingsProhibited

  A second dwelling unit (accessory or in-law unit, basement, garage or outbuilding used as a residence) on a lot inside Goshen city.

  • Each lot is limited to one single-family dwelling.
  • Basements, garages and outbuildings may not be used as residences.

  “all lots in the city shall be used exclusively for single-family, private residences and no more than one such dwelling shall be erected and placed on any lot”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Driveways built or changed inside Goshen city.

  • Driveway construction needs prior approval from the Architectural Control Committee.
  • Access, curb-cut or county road-entry rules were not researched.

  “all new construction, exterior renovation or excavation of any kind (including, but not limited to, driveways, fences, garages or out buildings) need prior approval from the architectural control committee.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  City building permit fee for building activity inside Goshen city after architectural control approval.

  • The fee is charged after Architectural Control Committee approval or after 45 days from a complete submission (§ 150.04).
  • The code text reviewed is the Goshen Codified 2019; a newer fee schedule was not checked.

  city building permit fee: 50 USD (refunded by the city upon the city's final inspection)

  “the $50 fee shall be refunded by the city upon the city's final inspection of the building activity for which the city building permit was obtained.”

• Permit processPartial

  Building and exterior work inside Goshen city that requires Architectural Control Committee review.

  • The city process is published in the code; the county building permit step is administered by the county and was not opened.
  • Approval is deemed granted if the committee does not act within 45 days after a complete submission, if no suit to enjoin the construction has been commenced, per § 150.04(a).

  committee review period: 45 days (after complete plans and specifications are submitted to the committee)

  “upon receipt of approval from the architectural control committee or after 45 days after a complete set of construction plans and specifications are submitted to the architectural control committee pursuant to § 150.02.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Whether an owner may build their own home inside Goshen city without a licensed contractor.
• Building code adopted — Which building code applies to construction inside Goshen city.
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for a new home inside Goshen city.
• Zoning districts — Zoning district map or district list for land inside Goshen city.
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot area for residential lots inside Goshen 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.