So You Want to Build in a Floodplain?

In a perfect world, there would be no development in a special flood hazard area. But of course we don't live in a perfect world. It is the policy of both the Mercer County Fiscal Court,The Greater Harrodsburg/Mercer County Planning & Zoning Commission, and the Kentucky Division of Water to discourage development of property in a floodplain that involves construction of; structures designed for human habitation, storage of buoyant or dangerous materials, water wells for human consumption, septic tanks, sold waste disposal, and fill that increase flood heights.

Before any construction can commence in Harrodsburg & Mercer County, building permits must be issued. One vital step prior to the issuance of these permits is a floodplain determination. Each permit is reviewed to determine if the structure to be constructed is going to be located in a special flood hazard area. If the structure is not, then the permitting process will continue. If however, the location is within a special flood hazard area, additional requirements must be met prior to issuance of the local building permit.

The property owner will be required to obtain a Permit for Constructing Across or Along a Stream. This permit is issued by the Kentucky Division of Water. A PDF version of this application is available in the related content section to the right as well as simplified instructions for completing the application.

If the Kentucky Division of Water issues a permit for construction, then that permit must be returned to the local building inspector and the building permit process will resume.

An Elevation Certificate will be required to be prepared by a Registered Professional Land Surveyor in good standing in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and provided to the Building Inspector, and the Kentucky Division of Water prior to issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy. A PDF version of the Elevation Certificate is also available in the related content section to the right.