Open burn permit — Recreational Fire

What is a building permit?

A building permit is Louisville Metro's record that a property owner or contractor asked for, and received, official sign-off to build, alter, add to, or demolish something on a property. It covers everything from a deck addition to a full commercial buildout.

Louisville Metro's permitting office reviews the application against the building and zoning code and issues the permit. Depending on the scope of work, plan review can also involve separate fire, electrical, or plumbing sign-off before the permit is issued.

Once issued, the work is inspected at set stages as it proceeds. The permit's status field tracks that progress — issued, in review, finaled, or closed — and updates as inspections happen.

A permit record is not an approval of a finished project — it is authorization to start or continue work. It is also not a safety certification of the building beyond the specific work the permit covers.