Unincorporated Baldwin County

Permits must be issued before starting the construction, alteration, or moving of any structure, and before changing the use of buildings, structures, or land, except changes in agricultural crops. Permits are required for any work valued at over $1,000 or when an inspection is required.

• Exempt Changes in agricultural crops

Note: Changes in agricultural crops are expressly listed by the county page as outside the permit trigger. No broader public county exempt-work list was found on the reviewed county permit pages.

Building code

Baldwin County Planning & Development administers county building codes. Georgia law requires local enforcement of the Georgia DCA state minimum construction codes. The verified baseline is the current Georgia DCA mandatory state minimum codes.

Owner-builder

Baldwin County posts a Homeowner Permit Letter of Indemnification Affidavit. Owner states the structure is on property they own, is intended for their occupancy, will not be rented or used by the general public, and was not built for sale or lease under the Georgia owner-builder exemption. If the owner does not personally install building, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems, properly licensed trade contractors must be hired and must pull separate trade permits.

Contractor requirements

Homeowners may buy electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits only when they are actually performing that work and only after meeting with the Building Official. Otherwise, properly licensed electrical, plumbing, and mechanical contractors must secure separate trade permits. Georgia statewide law requires covered residential contracting work over $2,500 to be performed by a licensed residential or general contractor.

1. 01
   Complete the proper county permit form. The county states the application is available online and at the annex office.
2. 02
   Assemble the supporting items listed on the county permit page: fully completed permit application, driveway permit, two physical copies or one electronic copy of house plans, plat showing structure footprint and setbacks, and septic approval from the Health Department when applicable.
3. 03
   Submit online by emailing the completed form to permits@baldwincountyga.com, or work directly with the Planning & Development office at the annex.
4. 04
   County staff reviews the application. For online submittals, the county states you will receive a return email with approval or denial and, if approved, the total amount due.
5. 05
   Pay by credit card over the phone with Visa or MasterCard, or by check mailed or brought to the office.
6. 06
   After payment, the county adds an electronic signature to the application and emails it back. Permit issuance is not same-day.

Typical processing time: Building permits will no longer be issued on the same day. No more specific permit turnaround estimate was posted on the reviewed pages.

Source: Baldwin County Planning & Development - Building Inspections & Permits ↗

For online submittals, the county accepts credit card payment by phone using Visa or MasterCard. Checks may be mailed or brought to the office.

• Call the Building Department to request inspection (phone)

Time windows

24 to 48 hours for the inspector to complete the inspection

Typical sequence: Inspector needs to inspect footings, slab, rough-in, and final before power can be released. If everything is complete the county will contact the power company and issue a certificate of occupancy.

Source: Baldwin County Planning & Development - Building Inspections & Permits ↗