Housing (Building Codes)

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 65 prohibiting a local government from adopting or enforcing certain restrictions on the occupancy of dwelling units; state that the prohibition does not affect a local government's ability to enforce safety codes including the state building code or any uniform code or administrative regulation related to fire safety or the construction or safety of buildings.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 198B to define terms; require regulatory authorities to provide information to prospective applicants regarding requirements to apply for a permit; require a regulatory authority to inform an applicant of whether the application is complete within 3 days and include whether the regulatory authority is able to perform plan review and inspection within specified time limits; require a regulatory authority to conduct plan review within 14 days of receipt of a complete application and inspections within 5 days of any request for an inspection being made; provide for circumstances in which deadlines may be extended; permit an applicant to use a qualifying third-party inspector; set out circumstances under which a regulatory authority may collect fees depending on use of a third-party inspector; set out what a third-party inspector may review and set out qualifications and requirements the third-party inspector must meet; require a regulatory authority to issue a permit within 1 business day of the completion of required plan reviews and inspections associated with an otherwise complete application; state that any ordinance, rule, or regulation contrary is void and unenforceable; state that a regulatory authority may issue a stop-work order if a condition of a project constitute an immediate threat to public safety and welfare; establish immunity for the regulatory authority for action of an applicant or third-party inspector; amend KRS 198B.060 to conform.

Amend KRS 198B.050 to require that building code standards for 2, 3, and 4 family homes not be more stringent than those for single-family homes; amend KRS 198B.060 to apply exemption for single-family homes to 2, 3, and 4 family homes; permit third-party plan review and inspections under new procedures; create a new section of KRS Chapter 198B to define terms; require regulatory authorities to provide information to prospective applicants regarding requirements to apply for a permit; require a regulatory authority to inform an applicant of whether the application is complete within 3 days and include whether the regulatory authority is able to perform plan review and inspection within specified time limits; require a regulatory authority to conduct plan review within 14 days of receipt of a complete application and inspections within 5 days of any request for an inspection being made; provide for circumstances in which deadlines may be extended; permit an applicant to use a qualifying third-party inspector; set out circumstances under which a regulatory authority may collect fees depending on use of a third-party inspector; set out what a third-party inspector may review and set out qualifications and requirements the third-party inspector must meet; require a regulatory authority to issue a permit within 1 business day of the completion of required plan reviews and inspections associated with an otherwise complete application; state that any ordinance, rule, or regulation contrary is void and unenforceable; state that a regulatory authority may issue a stop work order if a condition of a project constitute an immediate threat to public safety and welfare; establish immunity for the regulatory authority for action of an applicant or third-party inspector; EFFECTIVE July 1, 2027.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 100 to define "duplex"; allow duplexes as a permitted use in all residential zones; prohibit a planning unit from adopting or enforcing regulations that would exclude duplexes in residential zones or impose requirements or fees on duplexes different than those for single-family homes.

HB 206 modifies Kentucky's building code to allow multi-family residential buildings (up to 5 stories) with no more than 4 dwelling units per floor to use a single exit stairway, rather than requiring multiple exits. This applies to qualifying residential buildings (Group R-2) and directly affects developers and building owners constructing such properties. Key safety requirements include a maximum 20-foot travel distance to the exit, corridors separating units from exits, and restrictions on other occupancies sharing the exit path. The bill does not change fire safety standards but adjusts exit access rules for smaller multi-family buildings under specific conditions.