External Agency Reviews and Approvals
Sometimes, your project will require approvals from other Metro and external agencies in order for a permit to be issued. Below are the various agencies the Division of Construction Review coordinates with, and a list of some situations where external approvals are necessary. These lists are not exhaustive, and the nature of your building project will determing what approvals are needed.
MSD
- Breaking of Ground
- New Building/New House
- Garage
- Deck/Ramp
- Addition
- In Ground Swimming Pools
- Flood Prone Area
- New Building/New House
- Garage
- Change of Use
- New/Change to Parking Lot
- Addition to Commercial Structure
- New Driveway/Curb Cut
- Projecting Signs Over Right of Way
- Dumpsters
- Sidewalks
- Property is on Septic
- New Restaurant
- New Commercial Bathrooms
- In Ground Swimming Pools
- New Commercial Building/Addition
- New House NOT in Recorded Subdivision
- Change of Use
Once a Certificate of Occupancy is issued for a project, the fire department has jurisdiction over the building and is therefore included in the Construction Review process. To help ensure successful oversight in the future, the Office of Construction Review Division coordinates its reviews with fire district personnel. Applicants for construction or planning approval are referred to the local fire district in which the project is located for review prior to issuance of approval by Louisville Metro.
During planning and permitting stages, the fire department may review for fire apparatus access on the site, hose connections, and hydrant location. An identified contact person from the fire department will then will communicate its approval via stamped plan, letter, e-mail, or standardized form. This approval may be sent directly to Louisville Metro or given to the applicant.
During inspection phase, the fire department official will often review and confirm occupancy loads, exiting, fire detection and suppression systems with the Construction Review inspection staff.
- Change of Use
- Variance/Waiver
- Landmarks/Historical Preservation District
- Landscaping
- Overlay
- Plan Certain/District Development Plan
New construction often involves some level of zoning review for compliance with the Louisville/Jefferson County Land Development Code which regulates zoning, use, building setbacks, signage, landscaping, and other items. Several small cities administer zoning authority by legislative bodies within those cities. Proposals in those cities requiring discretionary review will initially be reviewed by Louisville Metro Planning Commission and recommendation is made to the legislative body of the small city. The small city's legislative body then takes final action on the proposal. In most cases the small cities have adopted a different version of the Land Development Code and may even have their own revisions.
