Fitzgerald

The city states it issues and maintains permits for all residential and commercial buildings and remodeling projects within the city. Its FAQ sheet says a permit is required when an owner or licensed contractor wants to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, or demolish a building or structure, and also for installing, enlarging, altering, or replacing electrical, mechanical, or plumbing systems. The FAQ sheet also lists roofs, re-roofs, fences, decking, accessory buildings or sheds, carports, and pools as permit-triggering examples.

Note: No public Fitzgerald exempt-work list was found in the reviewed city pages, forms, or FAQ sheet. The published city FAQ explains what types of work require permits but does not publish a parallel list of permit exemptions.

Building code

Fitzgerald states it performs inspections for compliance with ICC codes and local codes and ordinances. As of January 1, 2026, Georgia DCA lists the current state minimum mandatory codes as the 2024 IBC, 2024 IRC, 2024 IPC, 2024 IMC, 2024 IFGC, 2024 ISPSC, 2023 NEC, and related Georgia amendments, plus the 2015 IECC with Georgia supplements and amendments.

Owner-builder

No city-specific owner-builder instruction was found on the reviewed Fitzgerald pages or forms. Georgia Secretary of State contractor FAQ states Georgia does not require an owner to hold a contractor license to build the owner's own house, but local requirements still apply.

Contractor requirements

Fitzgerald permit forms require the contractor's Georgia state license and a local business license, and the $75,000-and-up permit form specifically calls for state license information for the general contractor, electrician, plumber, and HVAC contractor as applicable. Georgia requires licensed residential or commercial general contractors for covered work, subject to specialty-trade exemptions and owner-builder limits.

1. 01
   Confirm the property is inside Fitzgerald city limits and determine the permit type from the Building Department page.
2. 02
   Download the correct city PDF application. The city posts separate forms for standard building permits, new construction or remodels valued at $75,000 or more, demolition, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, sign, and right-of-way encroachment permits.
3. 03
   Complete the application with job address, owner and contractor information, scope, and valuation. The city permit forms state contractor state license and local business license information must be attached. The $75,000-and-up form also calls for building plans, approved address application from the county office for new construction, state license information for the general contractor and trades, and local business licenses.
4. 04
   Submit the completed application to the Building Department by mail, fax, or in person at City Hall. The forms direct applicants to 302 E Central Ave, Fitzgerald, GA 31750 or fax 229-426-5066.
5. 05
   Await staff approval and fee calculation. The city advises applicants to call the Building Department for a more specific estimate where needed.
6. 06
   After approval, pay permit charges online through the GovernmentWindow Citizen Portal or in person at City Hall.
7. 07
   Post the permit and schedule inspections by calling the inspection line. The department states it performs inspections and issues certificates of occupancy.

Source: Building Department, Community Development, City of Fitzgerald ↗

The city states payments may be made online once approved through the GovernmentWindow Citizen Portal or in person at City Hall. GovernmentWindow allows guest one-time payment without creating an account.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

• Call the city inspection line at (229) 457-3618 (phone)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for phone calls; Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for lobby hours, excluding holidays

Typical sequence: The city publicly confirms that it performs field investigations and inspections and issues certificates of occupancy, but it does not publish a detailed inspection sequence on the reviewed pages.