Bolthole Index

Perry County, Kentucky

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Hazard, Kentucky

Hazard, Kentucky requires a city building permit before excavation, construction or structural alteration, with specified exceptions.1 Hazard has its own zoning, while water and sewage approval belongs to the County Health Officer and regulated septic systems need a local health department permit.234 For land outside Hazard city limits, use the Perry County guide: unincorporated Perry County has no county zoning.5

At a glance

Building permits
City building permit required before excavation, construction or alteration; exceptions include recurring maintenance.1
Zoning
Hazard has city zoning; confirm the parcel’s district before choosing a use.2
Septic permits
Local health department permit required for regulated onsite sewage systems.4
Water and sewer
Buildings must connect wherever public water or sewer mains are accessible.6
Manufactured homes
Mobile homes are conditional residential uses; placement outside a park needs Planning Commission permission.7
Occupancy
City certificate of occupancy required for newly erected or altered structures and changes of use, with exceptions.8
RV and tiny-home living
We could not confirm Hazard’s specific occupancy rules; ask the Planning and Zoning Administrator.9

Who to call

Building permits

Hazard City Hall

Starting contact for routing Hazard city building-permit applications to the Administrative Officer.

+1 606-436-3171

[email protected]

700 Main Street, Hazard, KY 41701

Zoning

Hazard Planning and Zoning Administrator

Hazard zoning questions and routing requests for Planning Commission review.

(606) 436-3171

[email protected]

Septic permits

Perry County Health Department Environmental Office

Onsite sewage site evaluations, septic permits and inspections through the local health department.

606-436-2196

239 Lovern Street, Hazard, KY 41701

Also useful

Hazard City Hall — Utility Service Questions

City utility service questions and current water notices.

606-436-3171

[email protected]

700 Main Street

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

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Do you need a building permit in Hazard, KY?

Hazard requires a building permit from the city’s Administrative Officer before excavation, construction or alteration of a structure.1 Recurring maintenance is exempt regardless of cost, and the ordinance also exempts certain approved subdivision improvements and listed structures and uses.1 Hazard has adopted the Kentucky building and residential codes and established an inspection program covering single-family dwellings.1011 A new home therefore needs both city land-use review and the applicable building inspections; ask the Administrative Officer which inspections your proposed work requires.111

Who issues building permits in Hazard, and how do you apply?

Hazard’s ordinance assigns building permits to the Administrative Officer; start with Hazard City Hall at +1 606-436-3171 and ask to be routed to that role.112 Hazard’s application requires a scaled plan showing lot and structure dimensions, existing structures, uses and yard depths, plus the County Health Officer’s water and sewerage certificate.13 The Administrative Officer must act within 2 weeks after submission, and a building permit becomes void after 6 months unless extended for valid reason.13 Hazard’s published building-permit fee schedule depends on estimated construction cost; request the complete current schedule before budgeting a house.14

Does Hazard have zoning, and what does it mean for a homesite?

Hazard has city zoning and a zoning map identifying residential, business, industrial and planned-development districts.215 Ask the Hazard Planning and Zoning Administrator to identify the parcel’s district and the applicable lot, yard and use requirements before ordering a house plan.9 Hazard treats mobile homes as conditional uses in residential districts; placement outside a mobile-home park requires Planning Commission permission, proximity findings and compliance with principal-building regulations.7 Hazard also requires final Planning Commission approval and recording with the County Clerk before subdivision, and a building permit cannot issue for a subdivided parcel before those steps are complete.16

How do septic permits and water connections work inside Hazard?

Hazard requires buildings to connect wherever public water or sewer mains are accessible; where neither is available, individual water supply and sewage disposal must meet County Health Officer requirements.6 Confirm service availability before paying for a private well or septic design.6 The Kentucky River District Health Department serves Perry County, and the Perry County Health Department Environmental Office is the local contact for septic questions.1718 For an onsite system, arrange the site evaluation, then obtain the septic construction permit before constructing any part of the system.19 Final installation inspection remains a local health department function.20

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

We could not confirm Hazard’s specific rules for residential RV occupancy, temporary camping, tiny homes or accessory dwelling units; ask the Hazard Planning and Zoning Administrator about the proposed dwelling and parcel.9 Hazard’s ordinary zoning and building-permit requirements still need to be addressed for a proposed structure.21 Do not treat Hazard’s mobile-home provisions as permission for an RV: those provisions address mobile homes, including conditional-use approval for placement outside a park.7 We also could not confirm a city owner-builder or farm-building exemption; ask City Hall to route that question to the Administrative Officer before starting work.12

What are the steps for building a home in Hazard?

  1. Ask Hazard’s Planning and Zoning Administrator to confirm the parcel’s zoning district and proposed use.92
  2. Confirm public water and sewer access; obtain the County Health Officer’s required water and sewage approval, including a septic permit where applicable.64
  3. Submit the scaled site and structure plans with the health certificate to the Administrative Officer for a city building permit before excavation or construction.131
  4. Arrange the required building inspections and septic installation inspection for the work being performed.1120
  5. Obtain Hazard’s certificate of occupancy before using a newly erected or altered structure, subject to the ordinance’s exceptions.8

Watch-outs

  • Hazard requires the County Health Officer’s water and sewerage certificate with both building-permit and certificate-of-occupancy applications.6
  • Hazard’s city website currently posts a boil-water advisory for the Lothair area until further notice; ask City Hall for current utility notices before arranging service.21
  • We could not confirm a general Hazard driveway-access permit rule; ask City Hall which office reviews access for the proposed address.12

Sources

  1. § 157.101 Building permits (Hazard), quoted and re-checked
  2. codelibrary.amlegal.com (Hazard), quoted and re-checked
  3. § 157.021 Water supply and sewage disposal (Hazard), quoted and re-checked
  4. KRS 211.350 On-site sewage disposal systems (Hazard), quoted and re-checked
  5. Bright Mountain Solar Project — Socioeconomic Report, quoted and re-checked
  6. § 157.021 Water supply and sewage disposal (Hazard), quoted and re-checked
  7. § 157.082 Mobile homes (Hazard), quoted and re-checked
  8. § 157.102 Certificate of occupancy (Hazard), quoted and re-checked
  9. Hazard Planning and Zoning Administrator (kydlgweb.ky.gov)
  10. § 150.10 Adoption of Uniform State Building Code (Hazard), quoted and re-checked
  11. § 150.10 Adoption of Uniform State Building Code (Hazard), quoted and re-checked
  12. Hazard City Hall (hazardky.gov)
  13. § 157.101 Building permits (Hazard), quoted and re-checked
  14. § 150.01 Permit fees (Hazard), quoted and re-checked
  15. codelibrary.amlegal.com (Hazard), quoted and re-checked
  16. codelibrary.amlegal.com (Hazard), quoted and re-checked
  17. Local Health Departments, quoted and re-checked
  18. Perry County Health Department Environmental Office (dhbc.ky.gov)
  19. apps.legislature.ky.gov, quoted and re-checked
  20. KRS 211.350 On-site sewage disposal systems (Hazard), quoted and re-checked
  21. Hazard City Hall — Utility Service Questions (hazardky.gov)

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 Hazard

Hazard’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Excavation, construction, or alteration of structures inside Hazard city.

    • A permit is not required for recurring maintenance work regardless of cost.
    • A permit is not required for improvements required by an approved preliminary subdivision or planned-development plat.
    • A permit is not required for structures and uses listed in § 157.063.
    • Applications must include scaled plans and the County Health Officer's water and sewerage certificate.
    “It shall be unlawful to commence any excavation or construction or alteration of any structure until the Administrative Officer has issued a building permit”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    All buildings inside Hazard city, including single-family dwellings.

    • The Kentucky Building Code, Kentucky Residential Code, Kentucky Plumbing Code, Kentucky Standards of Safety, and 2012 International Property Maintenance Code are adopted by reference.
    • The adopted codes, including amendments and penalty provisions, are in force throughout the city.
    “The Kentucky Building Code and Kentucky Residential Code [...] are hereby adopted by reference as if fully set forth in this code of ordinances.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Buildings inside Hazard city, including single-family dwellings.

    • The city has established a building inspection program under KRS 198B.060(8).
    • Inspection requirements follow the adopted state building and residential codes.
    “a building inspection program is hereby established in the city for application to all buildings, including single-family dwellings”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Use of newly erected or altered structures and changes in use inside Hazard city.

    • The County Health Officer's certificate must accompany the application.
    • The Administrative Officer must inspect and issue or refuse the certificate within three days after the new use is ready.
    • No certificate is required for recurring maintenance, approved subdivision or planned-development improvements, or § 157.063 structures and uses.
    “It shall be unlawful to use any newly erected or altered structure [...] until the Administrative Officer has issued a certificate of occupancy authorizing the use.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Hazard city limits.

    • The city zoning code contains nine zoning districts and a zoning map.
    “The city is divided into nine zoning districts as shown on the zoning map.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Hazard city.

    • The city zoning map identifies the districts.
    • The listed districts are R-1, R-2, R-3, B-1, B-2, B-3, I-1, I-2, and PD.
    • No agricultural or rural-residential district is listed in § 157.035.
    “R-1 Low-Density Residential Districts [...] PD Planned-Development Districts”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Mobile/manufactured-home occupancy inside Hazard city.

    • Mobile homes are conditional uses in residential districts.
    • A mobile home outside a mobile-home park requires Planning Commission permission, reasonable proximity findings, compliance with city ordinances and state law, and conformity with principal-building regulations.
    • A stored mobile home may not be connected to utilities or used for sleeping more than two weeks per year.

    sleeping use for stored mobile home: <= 2 weeks per year (Applies to a mobile home parked on the rear of a lot, not connected to service utility, and complying with accessory-building setback and yard requirements.)

    “Such permission must be secured from the Planning Commission”
  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    On-site sewage facilities for buildings inside Hazard city; the city ordinance assigns approval to the County Health Officer.

    • The County Health Officer approves water supply and sewage disposal facilities.
    • Kentucky law describes the local health department as the permitting authority for regulated on-site sewage systems.
    “It shall be unlawful to construct any building without water supply and sewage disposal facilities approved by the County Health Officer.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Individual sewage disposal where public sewer mains are not accessible inside Hazard city.

    • Individual sewage disposal must meet County Health Officer requirements.
    • A regulated on-site sewage system requires a local health department permit.
    “individual water supply and sewage disposal must meet the requirements set by the County Health Officer.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    New buildings inside Hazard city where public water or sewer mains are accessible.

    • Where water or sewer mains are accessible, buildings must connect to those mains.
    • Where neither is available, individual water supply and sewage disposal must meet County Health Officer requirements.
    • County Health Officer approval must accompany building permit and certificate-of-occupancy applications.
    “Wherever water or sewer mains are accessible, buildings shall be connected to these mains.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land within Hazard city corporate limits.

    • Final Planning Commission approval and recording with the County Clerk are required before subdivision.
    • A building permit cannot issue for a subdivided parcel until final approval and recording.
    • Major subdivisions require preliminary and final plat approval; minor subdivisions follow the stated signature procedure.
    • The Planning Commission charges a review fee established by the Board of Commissioners.
    “No person, or his agent, shall subdivide any land before securing the final approval of the Planning Commission”
  • Permit feesPublished

    Hazard city building permits.

    • The published schedule is based on estimated construction cost.
    • The reviewed excerpt continues beyond the listed brackets; later brackets and any separate inspection or zoning fees were not fully recoverable from the page.

    estimated construction cost: $50-$250 · building permit fee: 1.5 USD · estimated construction cost: $251-$500 · building permit fee: 5 USD · estimated construction cost: $501-$1,200 · building permit fee: 10 USD · estimated construction cost: $1,201-$3,000 · building permit fee: 15 USD

    “$50 to $250 | $ 1.50 $251 to $500 | $ 5.00 $501 to $1,200 | $10.00 $1,201 to $3,000 | $15.00”
  • Permit processPublished

    Building permit applications inside Hazard city.

    • Submit a scaled plan showing lot dimensions, structure dimensions, existing structures, uses, yard depths, and other information necessary for conformance.
    • The County Health Officer's water and sewerage certificate must accompany the application.
    • The Administrative Officer acts within two weeks after submission.
    • A permit becomes void six months after issuance unless extended for valid reason.

    administrative decision period: 2 weeks · permit validity period: 6 months (Unless the Administrative Officer grants an extension for valid reason.)

    “The Administrative Officer shall act upon applications for building permits within two weeks after the date of their submission.”

Rules another office applies inside Hazard

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

  • Septic permitRequired

    Regulated on-site sewage disposal systems serving property inside Hazard city.

    • The permit is issued by the local health department.
    • The requirement applies to systems subject to Cabinet regulation.
    • Farmstead-owner and other statutory exceptions may apply.
    “without having first obtained an on-site sewage disposal permit from the local health department.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Final installation of regulated on-site sewage systems inside Hazard city.

    • The final systems installation inspection is performed by the local health department as soon as practicable.
    • A licensed professional engineer may perform site evaluation and approve system designs in lieu of local-health-department inspection and certification, but the final installation inspection remains stated as a local-health-department function.
    “The final systems installation inspection shall be performed by the local health department as soon as practicable.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from Hazard city building requirements.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term or residential RV occupancy on private land inside Hazard city.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Hazard city.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Hazard city.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Hazard city.
4 more unanswered
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • 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 Hazard publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Perry County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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