Georgia home permit planning notes
County and city authority varies. Pay attention to decks, pools, septic areas, stormwater, and contractor licensing requirements.
What to verify locally
- Whether your property is inside city limits or unincorporated county territory
- Which office handles zoning approval versus building permits
- Whether trade permits must be pulled by licensed contractors
- Whether HOA, historic, coastal, floodplain, wildfire, or utility approval applies
Local guides in Georgia
Atlanta Residential Permit Guide
Atlanta routes residential construction, zoning, development, and permitting questions through the Department of City Planning and Office of Buildings.
Savannah, GeorgiaSavannah Residential Building Permit Guide
Savannah residential building permits use eTRAC, complete application checklists, and project-specific supporting documents before permits are issued.
Savannah, GeorgiaSavannah Shed and Fence Permit Guide
Savannah shed and fence rules depend on size, height, materials, utilities, setbacks, lot coverage, ownership, contractor licensing, and historic-district review.
Savannah, GeorgiaSavannah Deck, Roof, Window, and Remodel Permit Guide
Savannah lists many common home-improvement projects that need permits, including decks, porches, roof replacements, siding, drywall, changed window openings, and finished rooms.
Savannah, GeorgiaSavannah Solar, Floodplain, and Right-of-Way Permit Guide
Savannah solar permits can require site plans, floodplain worksheets, historic certificates, zoning decisions, and encroachment approvals depending on roof, ground, flood, and right-of-way conditions.
Augusta, GeorgiaAugusta Building Permit Guide
Augusta building permits are required for new construction, renovations, additions, re-roofing, swimming pools, utility buildings, storage buildings, and many trade projects.
Augusta, GeorgiaAugusta Plot Plan, Shed, and Addition Permit Guide
Augusta requires residential plot plans with permit applications for residential construction, storage sheds, manufactured homes, and additions.
Augusta, GeorgiaAugusta Fence and Corner Lot Permit Guide
Augusta residential fence rules limit height by yard location and add corner-lot visibility limits for fences, hedges, bushes, and other obstructions.
Augusta, GeorgiaAugusta Inspection and Permit Board Guide
Augusta residential projects with more than two inspections must post a permit board and keep the permit card available before inspections can be performed.
Columbus, GeorgiaColumbus Georgia Building Permit Guide
Columbus Inspections and Code processes permit applications, examines building plans, issues permits, schedules inspections, and enforces building and development rules.
Columbus, GeorgiaColumbus Georgia Trade, Zoning, and Development Permit Guide
Columbus permitting can involve separate plumbing, electrical, mechanical, zoning, development, historic, airport, and stormwater or erosion review depending on scope and site conditions.
Macon-Bibb County, GeorgiaMacon-Bibb County Building Permit Guide
Macon-Bibb County uses zoning compliance and the Community Connect portal for building permits, plan review, approved plans, inspections, and permit status.
Sandy Springs, GeorgiaSandy Springs Georgia Residential Building Permit Guide
Sandy Springs homeowners should check building permit, planning, zoning, and inspection requirements before additions, renovations, accessory structures, decks, pools, and trade work.
Sandy Springs, GeorgiaSandy Springs Georgia Fence Deck and Pool Permit Guide
Sandy Springs fence, deck, and pool projects can involve building permits, zoning review, inspections, tree or site constraints, and barrier requirements.
Marietta, GeorgiaMarietta Georgia Building and Zoning Permit Guide
Marietta homeowners should separate zoning questions from building permit review before additions, remodels, accessory buildings, fences, decks, pools, and trade work.
Roswell, GeorgiaRoswell Georgia Residential Permit Guide
Roswell residential projects may need building permit review, planning and zoning confirmation, inspections, and code compliance checks before work can be completed.
Athens-Clarke County, GeorgiaAthens-Clarke County Georgia Residential Permit Guide
Athens-Clarke County homeowners should verify building permit, planning, development services, and inspection requirements before residential construction or improvements begin.
Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta ADU and Garage Conversion Permit Guide
Atlanta homeowners planning an accessory dwelling unit, garage apartment, basement apartment, or converted living space should confirm zoning, occupancy, utility, parking, and building-permit requirements before design work goes too far.
Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta Pool Spa and Barrier Permit Guide
Atlanta pool and spa projects should be checked for building permits, zoning setbacks, electrical bonding, drainage, alarms, gates, and barrier inspections before excavation or delivery.
Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta Roof Window and Exterior Permit Guide
Atlanta roof replacement, window replacement, siding, exterior doors, structural repairs, and weatherproofing work should be checked for permit, historic, energy, wind, and inspection requirements.
Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta Kitchen Bath and Basement Remodel Permit Guide
Atlanta remodels should be checked for building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, insulation, egress, waterproofing, and final inspection requirements before walls are closed.
Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta Solar EV Charger and Generator Permit Guide
Atlanta homeowners planning solar panels, battery storage, EV chargers, panel upgrades, or standby generators should coordinate electrical permits, utility requirements, equipment placement, and inspections.
Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta Driveway Fence Shed and Site Permit Guide
Atlanta homeowners should check zoning, right-of-way, drainage, easements, setbacks, fence height, accessory structures, and inspections before building outside the house footprint.
Savannah, GeorgiaSavannah ADU and Garage Conversion Permit Guide
Savannah homeowners planning an accessory dwelling unit, garage apartment, basement apartment, or converted living space should confirm zoning, occupancy, utility, parking, and building-permit requirements before design work goes too far.
Savannah, GeorgiaSavannah Pool Spa and Barrier Permit Guide
Savannah pool and spa projects should be checked for building permits, zoning setbacks, electrical bonding, drainage, alarms, gates, and barrier inspections before excavation or delivery.
Savannah, GeorgiaSavannah Roof Window and Exterior Permit Guide
Savannah roof replacement, window replacement, siding, exterior doors, structural repairs, and weatherproofing work should be checked for permit, historic, energy, wind, and inspection requirements.
Savannah, GeorgiaSavannah Kitchen Bath and Basement Remodel Permit Guide
Savannah remodels should be checked for building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, insulation, egress, waterproofing, and final inspection requirements before walls are closed.
Savannah, GeorgiaSavannah Solar EV Charger and Generator Permit Guide
Savannah homeowners planning solar panels, battery storage, EV chargers, panel upgrades, or standby generators should coordinate electrical permits, utility requirements, equipment placement, and inspections.
Savannah, GeorgiaSavannah Driveway Fence Shed and Site Permit Guide
Savannah homeowners should check zoning, right-of-way, drainage, easements, setbacks, fence height, accessory structures, and inspections before building outside the house footprint.
Projects to check first
| Project | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Shed Permit | Usually required once the shed exceeds a local size threshold, has a permanent foundation, includes utilities, or violates zoning setbacks. |
| Fence Permit | Often required for tall fences, front-yard fences, corner lots, pool barriers, retaining-wall combinations, and historic districts. |
| Deck Permit | Almost always required for attached decks, elevated decks, structural repairs, and decks with stairs or guards. |
| EV Charger Permit | Usually required for Level 2 hardwired chargers, panel upgrades, new circuits, and garage wiring changes. |
| Solar Permit | Almost always required. Solar normally needs building/electrical permits and separate utility interconnection approval. |
| Bathroom Remodel Permit | Often required when plumbing, electrical, framing, ventilation, or waterproofing systems are changed. |
| HVAC Replacement Permit | Usually required for furnace, condenser, heat pump, major duct, gas line, and equipment-location changes. |
| Basement Finishing Permit | Usually required when unfinished space becomes habitable, especially with bedrooms, bathrooms, or new walls. |
Best first call
Start with the city building department if the property is inside city limits. If not, call the county building or planning office and ask which authority has jurisdiction for zoning, building, and trade inspections.