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Code Status: Kentucky

This page contains information about current energy codes in the state of Kentucky. Information for all 50 States is also available. Kentucky Code News

Current State Codes

  • Residential Code: 2007 Kentucky Residential Code, based off the 2006 IRC with state amendments. It establishes minimum and maximum building code requirements for detached single family dwellings, two-family dwellings and townhouses, but it is left up to local jurisdictions to decide whether or not to adopt standards for these dwellings.
  • Commercial Code: 2007 Kentucky Building Code, based off the 2006 IBC with state amendments, none of which affect the energy efficiency chapter. It establishes minimum and maximum building code requirements for all commercial and multifamily residential buildings and is mandatory statewide. 
  • Code Change Cycle: Three-year code review/update cycle. Last updated on July 1, 2007.
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Code Adoption & Change Process

Process Type: Legislative & Regulatory

Code Change Process: The Kentucky Building Code (KBC) and Kentucky Residential Code (KRC) are updated every three years on a cycle one year behind the publication year for the International Building Code and International Residential Code. Any changes to the codes by the state of Kentucky are submitted to the Board of Housing for review by the Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction's Division of Building Codes Enforcement. The changes are approved in this forum and are forwarded to the Legislative Research Committee for public comment and further review.

During the three-year cycle, proposed changes to the KBC and KRC may be submitted for consideration and voted upon by the board. The Division of Building Codes Enforcement is responsible for complying with code changes and amendments. Once changes and amendments are adopted and entered as part of the state requirements, they become state law by the state statute.

The next update is expected in some time in 2010.

State Code History: The KBC became a minimum statewide requirement on February 15, 1980, for all buildings over three stories in height, in excess of 20,000 square feet and intended for assembly, educational, institutional, or high hazard occupancy or business or industrial occupancies in excess of 100 occupants. In steps, the KBC became effective for all buildings, and by August 15, 1982, the code was applied throughout the entire state of Kentucky. The 1994 and 1997 KBC referenced the 1992 MEC. On July 1, 2005 the residential energy code was the 2000 IRC, while the commercial provisions referenced the 2003 IBC.

The 2007 Kentucky Building Code (KBC – applies to all commercial and multifamily buildings), which is based on the 2006 IBC, became effective July 1, 2007, but there was a 90-day grace period during which either the new or existing code could be used.

The 2007 Kentucky Residential Code (KRC – applies to single family dwellings, two-family dwellings and townhouses) is based in the 2006 IRC, with some modifications to the energy chapter. Due to a delay during the public comment process, it did not become effective until August 1, 2007. As with the KBC, there was a 90-day grace period during which either the new or existing code could be used.

In addition to these changes, Kentucky now requires inspections of all new HVAC systems statewide (both commercial and residential). Section N1101.8 of the residential code requires a permanent certificate to be posted on or in the electrical distribution panel listing the predominant R-values and other energy related features of the structure, but an energy code inspection is not conducted by state code officials for single family dwellings, two-family dwellings and townhouses under the purview of the residential code.

Updates on this information can be found on the Kentucky Office of Housing, Buildings, and Construction Website.

Enforcement: The Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction conducts plan review, inspects and enforces the energy code (and conducts HVAC inspections/certifications) for all commercial and multi-family residential dwellings. Compliance for detached single family dwellings, two-family dwellings and townhouses under the purview of the residential code is left to the discretion of local jurisdictions.

 

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Energy Consumption Estimates

The consumption estimates below are derived from the total end use of residential and commercial energy consumption in the United States in 2006, and are not limited to energy consumption based on building code-related factors. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration.

  • Residential Sector: 344.6 Trillion BTU
  • Commercial Sector: 248.0 Trillion BTU
  • Total Energy Consumption: 592.6 Trillion BTU
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Construction Activity

Residential:

  • Population (2000 US Census)1: 4,041,769
  • Total Housing Units2: 1,796,900
  • 2004 New Housing Units Authorized by Permit (Privately Owned)3:
    • total units: 22,384
    • 1 unit: 18,824
    • 2 units: 386
    • 3 and 4 units: 575
    • 5+ units: 2,599
    • structures of 5+ units: 215

References:

  1. http://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t2/tab01.xls
  2. http://www.census.gov/population/estimates/housing/sthuhh1.txt
  3. http://www.census.gov/const/C40/Table2/20k_t2yu200412.txt
Green Building Initiatives
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Code Funding Opportunities

There are two funding opportunities under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act): Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) and the State Energy Program (SEP). Please reference the U.S. Department of Energy for Kentucky's allocated funding amount and updated information. 

 

Web Links

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State Energy Code Contacts

John Davies
Acting Director
Kentucky Dept. for Energy Development and Independence
500 Mero Street, 12th Floor, Capital Plaza Tower
Frankfort, KY 40601
Tel: (502) 564-7192
Email: John.davies@ky.gov

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