© 2025 WEKU
NPR for Northern, Central and Eastern Kentucky
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Help us reach our goal of 1,850 new supporters to sustain WEKU into the future. Click here to donate. Thank you!

Lexington building inspectors see revisions in code over time

Stu Johnson

The man who heads building inspection for Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government says the modern building code covers a lot of ground. Bob Carpenter said that includes such things as natural disasters, looking for substandard building practices, and striving for safe sustainable buildings. Carpenter said each newly built house gets a going over.

“We inspect houses and commercial buildings here in Fayette County. And the homes, it’s a pretty all-encompassing. We do footer, foundations, framing inspection, insulation, energy inspections, and then final inspections,” said Carpenter.

Carpenter said the International Code Council redoes the model code on a consistent basis. He said that can result in changes from state to state in different ways.

Carpenter and his employees were recognized last week during a City Council meeting. Carpenter said the International Code Council does update its regulatory focus.

“Now what other states do like Florida, and Kentucky does too, they will take that model code and they will amend it. So, they will strengthen their hurricane part of it whereas our stuff, it just depends. There’s things that we change in our too. So, it’s based on their code but it’s slightly amended to the area that you’re in,” said Carpenter.

Carpenter said both commercial and residential structures are inspected. Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton said her city’s building inspection team was the first in Kentucky to earn a specific accreditation.

** WEKU is working hard to be a leading source for public service, and fact-based journalism. Monthly supporters are the top funding source for this growing nonprofit news organization. Please join others in your community who support WEKU by making your donation.

Stu Johnson retired from WEKU in November, 2024 after reporting for the station for 40 years. Stu's primary beat was Lexington/Fayette government.
WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.
Related Content