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Oldham County Kentucky Fiscal Court

OC Engineer's Office

Design, Construction, Plan Approval, Permit & Inspection Guidance



The intent of this page is to provide design, construction, plan approval, permit, and inspection guidance to permittees (permit holders), land owners, developers, engineers, operators, and qualified professionals. General guidance, by topic, is provided below.

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A close up of a blue sky with no clouds

Requirement for Site Development Plan Approval


Every person, sub-divider, builder, contractor, or developer of any construction improvement project shall submit to the County Engineer for his written approval a site development plan providing for the proper construction, engineering, and drainage of surface water from the development or construction site to mitigate increases in stormwater runoff. If the proposed site plan does not adequately provide for such drainage, the County Engineer may order such changes a necessary before approving the site plan. In addition to this plan approval requirement, the following permits may also be required at the Federal, State, and County level.


Oldham County Engineer Permit Guidance


A Stormwater Quality Management and Erosion Control Permit Application shall be filled out and submitted for all residential, commercial, and industrial construction projects, regardless of size, within Oldham County (Note: only an individual residential lot development less than 1-acre, that is not impacting the flood plain or jurisdictional waterways (federal or state), is not required to submit this form). Once the application is submitted, the Oldham County Engineer will assess the information submitted within the permit to determine if the construction project requires a Stormwater Quality Management and Erosion Control permit.


If a building is being constructed on the construction site, a building permit application shall also be submitted to the Planning and Development Department. Please visit Building & Inspections to obtain information concerning the Oldham County building permit application and its associated process. Other Federal, State, and County permits may also be required based on the scope of construction and land-disturbing activity. In general, if your construction activity is described below, you should check with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (US ACE), Kentucky Division of Water (KY DOW), and other County offices to determine if additional permits are needed.

  • Land disturbing activities > 1-acre.

    KYPDES General Permit from the KY Division of Water. 


    Oldham County Stormwater Quality Management and Erosion Control Permit

  • Land disturbing activities less than 1-acre, but part of a larger common plan of development that is greater than 1 acre.

    KYPDES General Permit from the KY Division of Water. 


    Oldham County Stormwater Quality Management and Erosion Control Permit

  • Land disturbing activity in a stream or river.

    Army Corps of Engineers, 404 Permit.

  • Land disturbing activity in a stream or river, along a stream or river, across a stream or river, or in a riparian area.

    KY Division of Water, 401 Water Quality Certification Permit.


    KY Division of Water, Permit to Construct Across or Along a Stream.

  • Building of a Dam or Pond along a jurisdictional water

    KY Division of Water, Permit to Construct Across or Along a Stream.

  • Land disturbing activity in a flood plain.

    KY Division of Water, Permit to Construct Across or Along a Stream.


    Oldham County Engineering (Flood Plain Administrator), Permit to Develop in a Flood Hazard Area.

It is the responsibility of the land owner, developer, and engineer to ensure that all permits are obtained. All Federal and State permits (with associated supporting information) shall be provided to the Oldham County Engineer as part of the plan review and Stormwater Quality Management and Erosion Control Permit process.


Oldham County Development and Construction Process Guidance


Land owners and developers will generally commence the process of developing or subdividing land by contacting the Oldham County Planning and Development Office. Once a land owner or developer has obtained approval from the Oldham County Planning Commission and/or legislative body for their project, they shall submit their construction plans and calculations to the Oldham County Engineer for approval. Construction plans and calculations shall be submitted with a Stormwater Quality Management and Erosion Control Permit Application to the Oldham County Engineer.

OC Stormwater OC Floodplain KY Division of Water US Army Corps of Engineers

Construction Plan Review and Approval Guidance


Once the Oldham County Engineer receives a “complete” submission of construction plans and calculations and Stormwater Quality Management and Erosion Control Permit Application, they will be placed in the queue for review. In general, the Oldham County Engineer strives to have construction plans and calculations reviewed and returned to the submitter within four (4) weeks. However, this timeframe will vary based on the complexity of the construction project, the accuracy and compliance of the plans when compared to Oldham County regulations and accepted engineering standards, and number of construction projects in the queue for review. To expedite plan review, engineers should ensure plans and calculations are complete, sufficiently detailed, and conform to all Oldham County regulations and accepted engineering standards.


Starting Land-Disturbing Activities (Pre-Construction Meeting & Perimeter Control)


Once construction plans have been approved, a Stormwater Quality Management and Erosion Control Permit has been issued (or deemed not required), and the project has been bonded, land-disturbing activities shall be initiated by conducting the required Pre-Construction Meeting. This meeting is attended by the permittee (permit holder), project engineer, construction site operators, qualified professional (sediment and erosion control professional), and representatives of the Oldham County Engineer’s Office in order to review the approved permit, SWPPP, EPSC Plan, and construction plans. Following the Pre-Construction Meeting the permittee shall commence land-disturbing activities by first implementing all perimeter erosion prevention and sediment control (EPSC) measures (also known as BMPs).


Permittee-Conducted Construction Site Inspections


Once land-disturbing activities have commenced, the permittee (permit holder) is responsible for proper implementation, inspection, and maintenance of the erosion prevention and sediment control (EPSC) devices (also known as BMPs) throughout the duration of the construction project until the Stormwater Quality Management and Erosion Control Permit is terminated, in writing, by the Oldham County Engineer. All Permittee-Conducted Inspections shall be conducted by a Qualified Professional. The Qualified Professional shall use Oldham County Stormwater Construction Inspection Report to document all inspections.


Common Deficiencies and Violations Found at Construction Sites


The Oldham County Engineer Office conducts its own inspections of construction sites to ensure the permit holder is complying with the terms of the permit and approved construction plans. Below are a few of the more common discrepancies and violations that Oldham County inspectors encounter during inspections. Permit holders, qualified inspectors, and operators of construction sites should be familiar with identifying and correcting these common discrepancies. Click on each link for more information.

  1. Silt Fence
  2. Concrete Washout


To prevent these and other deficiencies and violations, Permit holders, land owners, engineers, qualified inspectors, and operators of construction sites should be familiar with the following guidance manuals.

  1. Kentucky Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Field Guide
  2. Kentucky Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Controlling Erosion, Sediment, and Pollution Runoff from Construction Sites (2009)


EPSC, SWPPP, BMP Training and Certification


This information contained within this section is for land developers, engineers, and qualified professionals seeking training or certification for Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control (EPSC), Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP), Best Management Practices (BMPs), etc.

  1. Local - Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) Certification Classes apps.jefferson.kyschools.us/AdultEdMSD/home/
  2. State - KY Erosion Prevention & Sediment Control (KEPSC) kyt2.com/training/ky-erosion-prevention-sediment-control-kepsc
  3. National - ENVIROCERT International, Inc. envirocertintl.org
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