Macon-Bibb County

A permit is required before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, demolishing, or changing the occupancy of any building or structure; or installing, altering, replacing, or removing regulated building, electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing, low-voltage, or fire protection systems — unless the work falls within an explicit exemption. Work exceeding $2,500 requires a building permit.

• Exempt Building alterations or repairs with valuation not exceeding $2,000 (non-structural, approved by Building Official)
• Exempt Detached single-story accessory structures 400 sq ft or less, not occupied, not structurally attached, complying with site and zoning approvals
• Exempt Exterior balconies, porches, or decks not over 200 sq ft and not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade
• Exempt Barns and outbuildings in agricultural zones, not intended for human habitation
• Exempt Roof maintenance and repairs using like materials (no structural replacement)
• Exempt Signs and towers 25 feet or less in height
• Exempt Retaining walls (not part of a structure), fences, residential swimming pools, shade cloth for nursery/agricultural use, swings/playground equipment
• Exempt Temporary electrical power poles at construction sites
• Exempt Construction trailers with 200-amp service or less
• Exempt Servicing or repairing electrical appliances (not permanent wiring alterations)
• Exempt Clearing drain stoppages and repairing leaks without rearranging/extending/replacing piping
• Exempt Replacing minor components (valves, fixtures) not altering system approvals
• Exempt Portable heating/cooling equipment not requiring permanent fuel connections
• Exempt Self-contained refrigeration systems with less than 10 pounds of refrigerant

Note: IMPORTANT: As of May 1, 2025, new construction accessory structures — even if otherwise exempt — require plan review submission and a $150 fee if they will involve MEP systems or where the county determines a cursory review is warranted. Confirm with the Building and Fire Safety office before assuming exemption for any new freestanding structure.

Building code

2024 I-code cycle (IBC, IRC, IFC, IFGC, IMC, IPC, ISPSC, NFPA 101, NEC 2023, IECC 2015, IWUIC 2012) — all with Georgia Amendments. Effective January 1, 2026.

Permit validity

A permit becomes invalid if work has not commenced within 6 months of issuance. If work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months after commencement, the permit is also invalid. Extensions of up to 6 months each may be granted in writing for justifiable cause (contact the Building Official). Demolition permits must commence within 6 months; once work begins, the permit is issued for 60 days.

Owner-builder

The Homeowner Affidavit Packet may only be used by the owner of a single-family residence who actually resides (or will reside) in the residence. The owner certifies that the completed structure will be occupied by the owner and family, will not be rented or sold within 24 months of completion, and the owner has not previously sold a residence built under a homeowner permit within 24 months. The owner must personally perform the work. Licensed subcontractors may not be hired under the owner-builder permit; any subcontracted trade work requires a separate subcontractor affidavit.

Contractor requirements

Contractors and subcontractors must hold a Georgia State license issued by the State Construction Licensing Board (for residential contractors: Residential-Basic, Residential-Light Commercial, or General Contractor; specialty trades: electrical, plumbing, HVAC, low-voltage, fire protection through appropriate licensing board). A current Occupational Tax Certificate (business license) from any Georgia local jurisdiction is also required. Contractors must register with Building and Fire Safety before permits are issued. License verification: https://sos.ga.gov/state-licensing-board-residential-and-commercial-general-contractors

Source: Department of Building and Fire Safety ↗

1. 01
   Obtain a Certificate of Zoning Compliance from Macon-Bibb Planning & Zoning Commission (MBPZ) at https://app.oncamino.com/mbpz/login. This is required before Building and Fire Safety will accept any permit application.
2. 02
   If submitting as a contractor, verify your Community Connect contractor account is active. The account must be set up by the license holder. Contact buildingpermits@maconbibb.us to initiate.
3. 03
   Gather required documents based on your project type (residential, commercial, single trade, demolition, or fire protection).
4. 04
   Submit your application and plans either online through Community Connect (https://app.communitycore.com/) or in-person at the Building and Fire Safety office.
5. 05
   For commercial projects and residential accessory structures, pay the $150 plan review submittal fee at submission.
6. 06
   Building and Fire Safety reviews your application for code compliance. Review timelines vary by project type: commercial (10-20 business days for initial review), residential accessory structures (max 5 business days), residential dwellings (cursory examination, no specific timeline published).
7. 07
   If reviewers issue comments, respond and resubmit documents through Community Connect.
8. 08
   Pay all permit and plan review fees through Community Connect or by contacting the office.
9. 09
   After approval, download the issued permit and approved plans from Community Connect and post both at the job site.
10. 10
    Schedule and pass required inspections as work progresses. All required inspections must pass before proceeding to covered or concealed work.
11. 11
    After all final inspections are approved, download the Certificate of Occupancy from Community Connect. Buildings may not be occupied until the CO is issued.

Typical processing time: Plan review: 10-20 business days for commercial projects (initial review), 5 business days for residential accessory structures, cursory review for residential dwellings with no specific timeline published.

Source: Department of Building and Fire Safety ↗

Permit and plan review fees can be paid online through Community Connect when that option is available. If the payment tab is absent for a given permit type, contact 478-803-0466 or buildingpermits@maconbibb.us for alternative payment methods.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective July 2025) before budgeting.

• Public Inspection Scheduling Form (no account required) (online-public)
• Community Connect portal (with contractor account) (online-account)
• 478-803-0466 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

To receive a next-business-day inspection, submit the request no later than 4:00 PM the prior business day. Requests accepted 24/7.

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday (specific daily hours not published). Requests submitted after 4:00 PM will receive next-business-day earliest.

Typical sequence: Typical sequence for new single-family residence: temporary power, footing, under-slab electrical, under-slab plumbing, slab/poly, foundation/stemwall, sewer lateral, water service lateral, under-floor rough, wall sheathing, combination rough (framing, rough MEP), weather barrier/flashing, lath (if applicable), insulation, sheetrock/nail, shower pan (if applicable), underground electrical, gas pressure test, permanent power, combination final (final building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical). Inspections must be scheduled in the order construction activity occurs. Work may not be covered or concealed until applicable inspection is approved.

Source: Department of Building and Fire Safety ↗