Bolthole Index

Trigg County, Kentucky

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Cadiz, Kentucky

Cadiz, Kentucky requires a building permit before excavation, construction, moving or alteration of buildings and accessory buildings inside city limits.1 Cadiz sets its own zoning; the city’s rules differ from those for unincorporated Trigg County.2 Where Cadiz public sewer is available under the city’s connection rule, private wastewater disposal is restricted; otherwise, septic site evaluations and permits run through the local health department under Kentucky law.34

At a glance

Building permit
Required before excavation, construction, moving or alteration of buildings and accessory buildings1
Zoning
City zoning districts apply inside Cadiz2
Single-family inspections
Excluded from the city building-inspection program; building permits remain required51
Lot size
One-family minimum: 10,000 square feet in R-1/R-1S; 7,500 square feet in R-267
Sewer and septic
City sewer connection rules first; local health department septic permit where onsite disposal is approvable34
Private wells
No owner permitting application or fee; use a Kentucky Certified Water Well Driller8

Who to call

Building permits

Cadiz Building Inspector

Municipal building permits and zoning certificates of occupancy; ask City Hall for the current inspector

270-522-8244

63 Main Street P.O. Box 1465 Cadiz, KY 42211

Zoning

Cadiz Planning and Zoning

Questions about zoning approval inside Cadiz; the city site links the Cadiz-Trigg County Planning Commission

(817) 312-6535

49 Jefferson St., Cadiz, KY 42211

Floodplain permits

Cadiz Floodplain Administrator

Ask City Hall for the administrator handling development in special flood hazard areas

270-522-8244

63 Main Street P.O. Box 1465 Cadiz, KY 42211

Septic permits

Trigg County Health Department

Local health department contact for onsite sewage site evaluation, permits and inspections

(270) 522-8121

196 Main Street \ PO Box 191 Cadiz, KY 42211

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

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Do you need a building permit in Cadiz, KY?

Cadiz requires a Building Inspector-issued building permit before excavation, construction, moving or alteration of buildings and accessory buildings begins.1 A Cadiz building permit becomes void after 6 months unless substantial progress has been made on the project.1 Cadiz adopts the Kentucky Building Code and Kentucky Residential Code.9

Cadiz’s building-inspection program excludes single-family residential buildings, but that exclusion does not remove the separate municipal building-permit requirement.51 Ask the Cadiz Building Inspector to identify the inspections applicable to your project; electrical inspections must be performed by a state-certified electrical inspector specifically approved by Cadiz.5

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

Cadiz has municipal zoning districts inside city limits.2 For a one-family dwelling in Cadiz’s R-1 and R-1S districts, the minimum lot area is 10,000 square feet; principal buildings need a side yard of 10 feet on each side.610 In Cadiz’s R-2 district, a one-family dwelling needs 7,500 square feet of lot area, and principal buildings need side yards of 7 feet each.711

Ask Cadiz Planning and Zoning to confirm the parcel’s district and review the proposed building layout before buying plans: Cadiz building-permit applications must show proposed and existing buildings and their intended uses.12 For land beyond city limits, use the Trigg County guide for the county’s separate zoning answer.13

How do sewer connections and septic permits work in Cadiz?

Cadiz restricts private wastewater-disposal facilities where city public sanitary sewer is available under the municipal connection rule, subject to the code’s stated exceptions.3 For qualifying property abutting a street, alley or right-of-way containing public sanitary sewer within 100 feet of the property line, Cadiz requires connection at the owner’s expense within 90 days after official notice.14 Property previously served by private wastewater disposal must connect within 60 days after public sewer becomes available.14

Where onsite disposal is approvable, Kentucky requires a local health department septic permit after site evaluation and before construction, installation or alteration.4 Contact the Trigg County Health Department about the site evaluation and application.1516 The installer must arrange inspection before backfilling the septic system.17

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Cadiz?

We could not confirm Cadiz’s rules for living in an RV or tiny home on private land, including temporary occupancy while building; ask Cadiz Planning and Zoning about the specific parcel and proposed use.2 A small building still needs to satisfy Cadiz’s building-permit application requirements when the work falls within the city’s excavation, construction, moving or alteration rule.112

Cadiz requires a certificate of occupancy for land or buildings erected or altered in use or structure, with the Building Inspector determining conformity with city zoning before issuance.18 Sewer availability also matters to an off-grid proposal: Cadiz restricts private wastewater facilities where the city’s public sewer availability rule applies.3

What are the steps for building a home in Cadiz?

Start with Cadiz Planning and Zoning to establish the parcel’s district and match the proposed home to the applicable lot area and setbacks.2671011 Resolve sewer availability next; where onsite sewage disposal is approvable, obtain the local health department’s site evaluation and septic permit before system construction.34

Submit a dimensioned sketch or scale plan to the Cadiz Building Inspector showing the shape, size, height and location of proposed and existing buildings, plus existing and intended uses.12 Obtain the building permit before beginning covered work, and arrange the applicable inspections.15 Notify the Building Inspector when the premises are ready for occupancy or use; the code allows 5 days for the final inspection and written certification decision.18

What else should you check before buying land in Cadiz?

Development in Cadiz’s special flood hazard areas needs a development permit before work begins; ask City Hall for the Cadiz Floodplain Administrator and the application forms.19 Kentucky also requires a state floodplain permit before construction, demolition or renovation within a floodplain.20 A driveway accessing a Kentucky state highway, or work within that highway’s right-of-way, requires a Kentucky Transportation Cabinet permit.21

For a private well in Cadiz, Kentucky requires a Certified Water Well Driller even though the property owner has no well-construction or abandonment permitting application or fee.8 We could not confirm Cadiz’s building-permit fee schedule or a municipal owner-builder exemption; ask the Cadiz Building Inspector for the current fee and requirements before budgeting the project.1

Watch-outs

  • Cadiz’s single-family building-inspection exclusion does not cancel its building-permit requirement.51
  • Do not assume a septic system can remain when Cadiz public sewer becomes available: the city requires connection and retirement of the private wastewater facilities under its stated conditions.14
  • We could not confirm permission for RV or tiny-home occupancy in Cadiz; ask Cadiz Planning and Zoning before relying on either as housing.2

Sources

  1. Cadiz Code § 151.127, Building Permits and Certificates of Occupancy (Cadiz), quoted and re-checked
  2. Cadiz Code § 151.035, Districts Designated (Cadiz), quoted and re-checked
  3. Cadiz Code § 50.015, Mandatory Sewer Connection (Cadiz), quoted and re-checked
  4. 902 KAR 10:110. Issuance of on-site sewage disposal system permits (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  5. Cadiz Code § 150.01, Adoption of Kentucky Building Code and Standards of Safety (Cadiz), quoted and re-checked
  6. Cadiz Code § 151.051, R-1 and R-1S Districts (Cadiz), quoted and re-checked
  7. Cadiz Code § 151.052, R-2 Districts (Cadiz), quoted and re-checked
  8. Water Well Information for Home Owners (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Cadiz Code § 150.01, Adoption of Kentucky Building Code and Standards of Safety (Cadiz), quoted and re-checked
  10. Cadiz Code § 151.051, R-1 and R-1S Districts (Cadiz), quoted and re-checked
  11. Cadiz Code § 151.052, R-2 Districts (Cadiz), quoted and re-checked
  12. Cadiz Code § 151.127, Building Permits and Certificates of Occupancy (Cadiz), quoted and re-checked
  13. Cadiz-Trigg County Fact Sheet for Development (2026 county census)
  14. Cadiz Code § 50.015, Mandatory Sewer Connection (Cadiz), quoted and re-checked
  15. Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems Program, quoted and re-checked
  16. Trigg County Health Department (pennyrilehealth.org)
  17. 902 KAR 10:085. System Installation Inspection (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Cadiz Code § 151.127, Building Permits and Certificates of Occupancy (Cadiz), quoted and re-checked
  19. Cadiz Code § 152.08, Establishment of Development Permit (Cadiz), quoted and re-checked
  20. Environmental Permitting in Kentucky, quoted and re-checked
  21. Permits Branch, 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 Cadiz

Cadiz’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Excavation, construction, moving, or alteration of buildings and accessory buildings inside Cadiz city limits.

    • A Building Inspector-issued permit is required before the listed work begins.
    • A permit becomes void six months after issuance unless substantial project progress has been made.

    permit void period without substantial progress: 6 months (Unless substantial progress has been made on the described project.)

    “has issued a building permit for such work.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Buildings inside Cadiz city limits.

    • Cadiz adopts both the Kentucky Building Code and Kentucky Residential Code by reference.
    “are hereby adopted as if fully set out herein.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Buildings inside Cadiz city limits subject to the municipal building-inspection program.

    • The program applies to all buildings except single-family residential buildings.
    • Building Code inspections must be performed by persons certified by the Kentucky Office of Housing, Buildings and Construction.
    • Electrical inspections must be performed by a state-certified electrical inspector specifically approved by Cadiz.
    “a building inspection program is hereby established within the city”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Land or buildings inside Cadiz city limits erected or altered in use or structure.

    • The Building Inspector must find the land, building, or proposed use conforms with Chapter 151 before issuing the certificate.
    • After notification that a building or premises is ready for occupancy or use, the Building Inspector has five days to make the final inspection and issue or refuse certification in writing.

    final inspection timing after notification: <= 5 days (Applies after notification that the building or premises is ready for occupancy or use.)

    “shall have issued a certificate of occupancy”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Cadiz city limits.

    • Cadiz Code Chapter 151 establishes zoning districts.
    “the city is hereby divided into seven principle districts”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside Cadiz city limits.

    • The City has seven principal districts and two overlay floodplain districts.

    principal zoning districts: 7 · overlay districts: 2 (Floodplain District FP-1 and Floodplain District FP-2.)

    “the city is hereby divided into seven principle districts [...] In addition two overlay districts are created”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    One-family dwellings in Cadiz R-1 and R-1S low-density residential districts.

    • For multi-family dwellings, add 3,500 square feet for each additional dwelling unit.
    • One-family dwelling minimum building-line width is 75 feet; multi-family width is 100 feet.

    minimum one-family lot area: 10000 square feet

    “Minimum required lot area for one-family dwelling, 10,000 square feet”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — One-family dwellings in Cadiz R-2 medium-density residential district.
      “Minimum, required lot area for a one-family dwelling, 7,500 square feet”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Principal buildings in Cadiz R-1 and R-1S low-density residential districts.

    • The cited provision specifies side-property-line distances.

    minimum side yard each side: 10 feet

    “side property lines shall be ten feet each side.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Principal buildings in Cadiz R-2 medium-density residential district.
      “side property lines shall be seven feet each side.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Private wastewater-disposal facilities inside Cadiz city limits.

    • Private wastewater-disposal facilities cannot be constructed or maintained where City public sanitary sewer service is available as defined in § 50.015(A).
    • Sections 50.030 and 50.031 are stated exceptions.
    • When public sewer becomes available, direct connection is required within 60 days and existing septic tanks, cesspools, and similar facilities must be cleaned and filled, salvaged, or removed.

    connection after public sewer becomes available: <= 60 days (For property served by a private wastewater-disposal system.)

    “It shall be unlawful to construct or maintain any privy”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Houses, buildings, and properties in Cadiz city limits served by an available City public sanitary sewer.

    • The property must abut a street, alley, or right-of-way containing a current or future public sanitary sewer.
    • The public sewer must be within 100 feet (30.5 meters) of the property line.
    • Connection is at the owner's expense and must be made within 90 days after official notice.
    • When a public sewer becomes available to property served by private wastewater disposal, direct connection is required within 60 days; septic tanks, cesspools, and similar facilities must be cleaned and filled, salvaged, or removed.
    • Sections 50.030 and 50.031 are cross-referenced exceptions.

    sewer availability distance: <= 100 feet (Measured from public sewer to property line.) · connection after official notice: <= 90 days (For property described in § 50.015(A).) · connection after public sewer becomes available: <= 60 days (For a property previously served by private wastewater disposal.)

    “connect such facilities directly with the proper sewer”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development activities in special flood hazard areas inside Cadiz city limits.

    • The requirement applies before commencement of development activities in special flood hazard areas.
    • Application must be made on forms furnished by the Floodplain Administrator.
    • Section 152.26 is cross-referenced for instructions and explanation.
    “prior to the commencement of any development activities in the special flood hazard areas”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Applications for building permits inside Cadiz city limits.

    • The applicant must submit a dimensioned sketch or scale plan showing shape, size, height, and location of proposed and existing buildings.
    • The applicant must state existing and intended building uses and provide other information required by the Building Inspector.
    • The proposed work must conform to Chapter 151 and other City ordinances in force.
    • A refused permit must be stated in writing with the cause and mailed to the applicant; the Inspector must grant or deny within a reasonable time.
    “submit a dimensioned sketch or a scale plan”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Cadiz city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings inside Cadiz city limits.
  • Lot coverage — Lots inside Cadiz city limits.
  • Building height — Buildings inside Cadiz city limits.
  • Living in an RV — RV occupancy on private land inside Cadiz city limits.
13 more unanswered
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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 Cadiz publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Trigg County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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