Bolthole Index

Warren County, Kentucky

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Bowling Green, Kentucky

Bowling Green, Kentucky requires a building permit from the city's Building Division for new construction, remodeling and additions1. Zoning inside the city is set by a joint ordinance shared with Warren County2. Septic is a separate question: city code requires sewer connection where public sewer serves the property3, and septic permits for other lots come through the Barren River District Health Department4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for new construction, remodeling and additions; issued by the City of Bowling Green Building Division15
Zoning
Yes. A joint ordinance adopted by Warren County and its cities, including Bowling Green2
Building code
Kentucky building code, enforced by the city Building Division6
Sewer or septic
Public sewer connection required where sewer serves the property; otherwise a health department septic permit37
Septic authority
Barren River District Health Department48
Floodplain
Zoning text bars improvements, including septic systems, inside the floodplain9
Private well
Kentucky does not require the owner to get a well permit; city rules unconfirmed10
Owner-builder
No city exemption confirmed; state homeowner permits exist for plumbing and HVAC work1112

Who to call

Building permits

City of Bowling Green Building Division

Building and electrical permits, plan reviews and inspections for construction inside Bowling Green city limits

270-393-3615

[email protected]

707 E Main Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101

Planning & zoning

City-County Planning Commission of Warren County

Zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations for Warren County and the cities of Bowling Green, Plum Springs, Oakland, Smiths Grove and Woodburn

270.842.1953

922 State St., Suite 200, Bowling Green, KY 42101

Septic permits

Barren River District Health Department, Onsite Sewage Program

Septic (onsite sewage) site evaluations, permits and inspections in Warren County, including addresses inside Bowling Green

(270) 781-8039

1109 State Street, Bowling Green, KY 42101

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Bowling Green, Kentucky?

Yes. The City of Bowling Green Building Division issues building and electrical permits for new construction, remodeling, additions, alterations and changes of occupancy inside the city15. Kentucky's residential code does not itself require a permit for a single-family house unless a local ordinance does13, so Bowling Green's own requirement is what applies here. Permitted work is inspected against the applicable codes14.

We could not confirm the permit fee schedule, whether the city has an owner-builder exemption, or the certificate-of-occupancy procedure for a new house. Ask the Building Division before you budget or schedule. Warren County's own building services office excludes Bowling Green from its enforcement area15, and the county's rules apply to land outside city limits; see the Warren County page for that.

Who issues building permits in Bowling Green, and how do you reach them?

The Building Division of the City of Bowling Green's Neighborhood & Community Services department handles building permits, electrical permits, plan reviews and inspections5. It enforces the Kentucky building code inside the city6. Call 270-393-3615 or email [email protected]; the office is at 707 E Main Ave, Bowling Green, KY 421015.

The City-County Planning Commission of Warren County, at 922 State St., Suite 200, handles zoning and subdivision rules for Bowling Green and the other cities in the county; reach it at 270.842.195316. Building permits and zoning are two different counters, so a zoning answer from one office is not a permit answer from the other.

Does Bowling Green have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs, tiny homes and lot size?

Bowling Green has zoning, but not a city-only code. Its zoning ordinance is a joint ordinance adopted by the Warren County Fiscal Court and the cities of Bowling Green, Oakland, Plum Springs, Smiths Grove and Woodburn, and it applies to all areas within Warren County2. Districts are published in Article 4 of the ordinance, and the Rural Residential district applies only in unincorporated areas17. Look up the district for a specific lot with the Planning Commission before you buy16.

Accessory apartments are allowed in the RS districts inside the city, but occupancy is limited to relatives of the residents plus one caretaker18. Qualified manufactured homes are a permitted residential unit in the AG, RR, R-E and RS-1 districts under the 2026 amendments19. Confirm with the Planning Commission how that applies to a city lot.

For RVs, the only rule we confirmed is the RV park standard: spaces rent by the day and no occupant may stay more than 29 days in the same RV park20. That rule covers RV parks, not living in an RV on your own lot. We could not confirm tiny-home rules, temporary camping or a minimum house size in Bowling Green, so ask the Planning Commission.

How do septic permits work inside Bowling Green?

Inside Bowling Green, sewer comes first. City code requires a new building used for human occupancy to connect to public sanitary sewer when the property is served, and land within 1,500 feet of an existing public sewer, measured along rights-of-way or utility easements, counts as served3. A private septic system is not an option on a lot the sewer serves21.

Where sewer is not available, Kentucky requires a permit before any part of a septic system is built, after a site evaluation7. The Barren River District Health Department runs the local program: soil evaluation, drawing review, permit and a post-installation inspection822. Septic permits come from the health department, not the city Building Division. Warren County soils are mixed: 37.5% rate as not limited for a conventional drain field, so expect a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system23. No septic system or other improvement may sit inside the mapped floodplain9. We could not confirm the city's own septic section, so ask the health department8. Its number is (270) 781-80398.

Building a home in Bowling Green: the steps, in order

  1. Ask the City-County Planning Commission, 270.842.1953, for the lot's zoning district and whether the use you plan is allowed16.
  2. Find out whether public sewer serves the lot; land within 1,500 feet of a public sewer counts as served3. If not, call the Barren River District Health Department for a site evaluation8.
  3. If you are creating a new lot, check the subdivision rules: a lot on public sewer needs at least 5,000 square feet above the 100-year flood level, and a lot on septic needs at least 20,000 square feet above it24.
  4. Apply for the building and electrical permits through the Building Division, which also does plan review5.
  5. Schedule progress inspections through the Building Division14.
  6. Ask the Building Division how a certificate of occupancy is handled; we could not confirm it.

What stays with Warren County, and what to check before you buy

Septic permits and inspections for every address in Warren County, city or not, come through the Barren River District Health Department4. Land outside city limits falls under Warren County Building Services rather than the city15; use the Warren County page for unincorporated parcels.

Before you buy, check the floodplain: Kentucky requires both a state and a local floodplain permit for development in an identified floodplain25. A driveway onto a state highway needs a state encroachment application26; we could not confirm city curb-cut rules. Kentucky does not require a property owner to get a permit to drill or abandon a private well, though a certified driller must do the work10; city rules on wells inside Bowling Green are unconfirmed. Warren County's effective property tax rate is 0.6%27, and the median property tax bill is $1,558 per year28.

Watch-outs

  • The zoning text we reviewed is the December 2019 version of Article 4 posted by the Planning Commission, and the ordinance has since been amended, so confirm current district rules with the Planning Commission at 270.842.1953216.
  • Bowling Green's rules for building permit fees, certificates of occupancy, owner-builders, short-term rentals, driveways and private wells inside the city are unconfirmed; ask the Building Division at 270-393-36155.
  • Septic systems are barred from the floodplain, and a sewer connection can be mandatory, so confirm sewer availability and flood status before you count on a septic lot93.

Sources

  1. Building Division, City of Bowling Green, Kentucky (Bowling Green), quoted and re-checked
  2. Regulations/Documents, City-County Planning Commission of Warren County (zoning ordinance page) (Bowling Green), quoted and re-checked
  3. Code 23-3.02 Use of Public Sanitary Sewers Required (City of Bowling Green Code, Chapter XXIII) (Bowling Green), quoted and re-checked
  4. Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems Program, quoted and re-checked
  5. City of Bowling Green Building Division (bgky.org)
  6. Building Division, City of Bowling Green, Kentucky (Bowling Green), quoted and re-checked
  7. apps.legislature.ky.gov, quoted and re-checked
  8. Barren River District Health Department, Onsite Sewage Program (barrenriverhealth.org)
  9. Warren County/Joint Zoning Ordinance, Article 4 Zoning Districts (December 2019 version) (Bowling Green), quoted and re-checked
  10. Water Well Information for Home Owners (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction — Frequently Asked Questions, quoted and re-checked
  12. 815 KAR 8:070 — HVAC Permits, quoted and re-checked
  13. 815 KAR 7:125, Kentucky Residential Code (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Building Division, City of Bowling Green, Kentucky (Bowling Green), quoted and re-checked
  15. Building Services - Warren County Kentucky (2026 county census)
  16. City-County Planning Commission of Warren County (warrenpc.org)
  17. Warren County/Joint Zoning Ordinance, Article 4 Zoning Districts (December 2019 version) (Bowling Green), quoted and re-checked
  18. Warren County/Joint Zoning Ordinance, Article 4 Zoning Districts (December 2019 version) (Bowling Green), quoted and re-checked
  19. 2026 Zoning Ordinance Amendments, quoted and re-checked
  20. Article 5 – Use Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  21. Code 23-3.02 Use of Public Sanitary Sewers Required (City of Bowling Green Code, Chapter XXIII) (Bowling Green), quoted and re-checked
  22. Onsite Sewage Disposal Systems Program, quoted and re-checked
  23. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Warren County/Joint Zoning Ordinance, Article 4 Zoning Districts (December 2019 version) (Bowling Green), quoted and re-checked
  25. Find Your Flood Zone (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. 603 KAR 1:020 Driveway approaches, entrances; construction and maintenance (Kentucky statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  27. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 24, 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 Bowling Green

Bowling Green’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New construction, remodeling, additions and alterations inside Bowling Green city, permitted by the city Building Division

    • Permit is required before construction proceeds, so the status is conditional rather than prohibited.
    • Electrical work is permitted through the same division under the same page.
    “the building division issues building and electrical permits for all new construction, remodeling, additions, alterations, and change the occupancy.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted construction inside Bowling Green city

    • Inspections verify work against the minimum guidelines of all applicable codes, per the city page.
    • Scheduling is through the Building Division at the numbers listed on the page.
    “inspections are made to ensure that the work is done within the minimum guidelines set forth by all applicable codes.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Bowling Green city limits, under the joint Warren County/Joint Zoning Ordinance that the city adopted together with Warren County Fiscal Court

    • The ordinance is a joint county-city ordinance, not a city-only code. It applies to all areas within Warren County, including unincorporated land, so the city rules are shared with the county.
    • The Article 4 text used for dimensional and occupancy claims is the December 2019 version posted by the planning commission; the current adopted text was not confirmed.
    “our local zoning ordinance is unique from other local ordinance in regards that it is a joint ordinance adopted by the warren county fiscal court and the incorporated cities of bowling green, oakland, plum springs, smiths grove, and woodburn. these regulations apply to all areas within warren county.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning district list for land inside Bowling Green city under the joint ordinance

    • Districts are published in Article 4 (Zoning Districts) of the joint ordinance; the Rural Residential district applies only in unincorporated areas.
    • The district map for city land was not opened.
    “article 4 zoning districts sec. 4.1 establishment of districts for the purpose of this zoning ordinance, the area of jurisdiction of this zoning ordinance is hereby divided into zoning districts which shall be designated as follows:”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Accessory apartment on a single family lot inside Bowling Green city, in the RS districts

    • The text states accessory apartments are allowed in the rural residential, residential estate and rs districts; RR applies only in unincorporated areas, so the RS districts govern inside the city.
    • Attached apartment entrances must be on the side or rear facade, and the apartment must not alter the character of the single family residence.
    • Occupancy is limited to persons related by blood, marriage, adoption, guardianship or other custodial relationship to the residents, plus one caretaker.
    • The 50 percent floor-area cap in the AG district text was not applied to the city districts.
    “accessory apartments are allowed in the rural residential, residential estate and rs districts and must adhere to the following:”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Non-sewered sanitation (private septic) for a new home inside Bowling Green city

    • Off-grid or private wastewater disposal is not permitted where public sanitary sewer serves the property (see utility claim).
    • Permitted private disposal depends on the health department rules in section 23-3.03, which were not read in full.
    “any house, building or property constructed after the effective date of this ordinance and used for human occupancy, employment, recreation or other purpose constructed on property served by public sanitary sewer must be connected to public sanitary sewer.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    New homes and other buildings for human occupancy inside Bowling Green city on property served by public sanitary sewer; land within 1,500 feet of existing public sanitary sewer is treated as served

    • Connection is required for buildings constructed on property served by public sanitary sewer, after the ordinance effective date.
    • For existing buildings, connection is due within 90 days after official notice, once the health officer or other designated authority determines the sewer is available.
    • Public water connection was not verified in this research; the value is limited to sewer.

    distance to existing public sanitary sewer treated as served: <= 1500 feet (measured by public rights-of-way or public utility easements) · connection deadline after official notice (existing buildings): 90 days (only after the sewer is determined available)

    “d. land which is within 1,500 feet of existing public sanitary sewers, measured by way of public rights-of-way or public utility easements, is considered to be served by sanitary sewage facilities. any house, building or property constructed after the effective date of this ordinance and used for human occupancy, employment, recreation or other purpose constructed on property served by public sanitary sewer must be connected to public sanitary sewer.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Creation of new single family residential lots inside Bowling Green city under the joint ordinance and planning commission subdivision rules

    • Lots served by public sanitary sewer need at least 5,000 square feet above the 100-year flood level; lots on septic need at least 20,000 square feet above it.
    • Subdivision regulations administered through the City-County Planning Commission were not opened; the statutory basis was not verified.

    minimum lot area above 100-year flood level (public sewer): >= 5000 square feet (lots served by public sanitary sewer) · minimum lot area above 100-year flood level (septic): >= 20000 square feet (lots served by on-site septic systems)

    “no lot served by public sanitary sewer shall be created or developed which does not have at least 5,000 square feet of lot area above the 100-year frequency flood level. no lot served by on-site septic systems shall be created or developed which does not have at least 20,000 square feet of lot area above the 100-year frequency flood level.”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Lots and improvements inside the regulated floodplain in Bowling Green city

    • No improvements, including parking areas and septic systems, are allowed within the floodplain under the zoning ordinance text.
    • The city's Flood Damage Prevention chapter (Chapter XXVIII) is listed in the code overview but was not opened, so a permit requirement is unverified.
    “in no case shall any improvements, including parking areas and septic systems, be located within the floodplain.”

Rules another office applies inside Bowling Green

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

  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    New construction, remodeling and alterations inside Bowling Green city, under the Kentucky building code as enforced by the city Building Division

    • The city page refers to requirements of the Kentucky Division of Building Codes Enforcement; it does not name a local code edition or local amendments.
    • Chapter VI (Building Regulations) of the city code was not opened, so any city adoption ordinance or local amendment is unverified.
    “the division is also responsible for reviewing the plans submitted by contractors, architects, engineers or owners for all structures for design compliance with the requirements of the kentucky division of building codes enforcement.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Bowling Green or Warren County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption for a home inside Bowling Green city
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for a new home inside Bowling Green city
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size for a single family home inside Bowling Green city
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Bowling Green city
  • Septic permit — Septic permit for a home inside Bowling Green city
6 more unanswered
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • 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 Bowling Green publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Warren County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Warren County: county rules, score and offices