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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Statesboro
Any owner, authorized agent, or contractor who desires to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system regulated by the construction codes, must first obtain the required permit.
Portable heating appliances
Portable ventilation equipment
Portable cooling units
Steam, hot-water, or chilled-water piping within heating or cooling equipment regulated by the construction codes
Replacements of parts that do not alter approval or make the equipment unsafe
Portable evaporative coolers
Self-contained refrigeration systems containing 10 pounds or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower or less
Ordinary minor repairs approved by the Building Official, so long as they do not violate the construction codes
- Exempt Portable heating appliances
- Exempt Portable ventilation equipment
- Exempt Portable cooling units
- Exempt Steam, hot-water, or chilled-water piping within heating or cooling equipment regulated by the construction codes
- Exempt Replacements of parts that do not alter approval or make the equipment unsafe
- Exempt Portable evaporative coolers
- Exempt Self-contained refrigeration systems containing 10 pounds or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower or less
- Exempt Ordinary minor repairs approved by the Building Official, so long as they do not violate the construction codes
Required documents
- Completed permit application
- Contractor and subcontractor information
- Full plan set
- Residential and commercial checklists published in the Vertical Construction Packet
- Commercial plans must be stamped by a Georgia RA or PE
- Some occupancies require State Fire Marshal review
- Building code
- Effective January 1, 2026 the city packet lists IBC 2024, IRC 2024, IMC 2024, IFGC 2024, IPC 2024, ISPSC 2024, NEC 2023, IFC 2024, NFPA 101 2024, IPMC 2018, and IECC 2015, all with Georgia amendments/supplements where applicable.
- Permit validity
- Permit applications are deemed abandoned 6 months after filing if no permit is issued, subject to written 90-day extensions. Issued permits become invalid if work does not begin within 6 months after issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months, also subject to written 90-day extensions.
- Owner-builder
- The Self Contractor Affidavit may be used only if the application is for the applicant's primary residence.
- Contractor requirements
- Where the state requires a contractor license, the contractor must supply the local government with the license number before receiving the permit.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Generally about 2 weeks for review, with up to 30 days allowed.
- 01 Register for a CommunityCore account.
- 02 Submit the building permit application through CommunityCore; if using the self-contractor option, include the Self Contractor Affidavit, which the city says is only for the applicant's primary residence.
- 03 Upload the required plan set and contractor information. Residential new construction and commercial new construction have separate published checklist requirements.
- 04 Departmental plan review generally occurs within about 2 weeks, but the city states reviewers have up to 30 days.
- 05 Respond to redlines or correction comments and resubmit if necessary.
- 06 After approval, pay permit and plan-review fees.
- 07 Schedule inspections in CommunityCore, by phone, or by email; inspections requested before 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday are generally performed the next business day.
- 08 Complete final inspection and obtain the certificate of occupancy or completion.
Typical processing time: Generally about 2 weeks for review, with up to 30 days allowed.
Source: Planning & Development Department, City of Statesboro ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Statesboro building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Minimum inspection fee for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC permits is $35; accessory-structure building permits are $0.16 per square foot or $50, whichever is greater.
02
Plan check fee
5% of building permit fee, applicable to all permits.
03
Permit fee formula
Current building permits are primarily square-foot based: single-family residential/townhome new construction $0.46 per square foot; accessory structures $0.16 per square foot or $50 minimum; new commercial with buildout $0.67 per square foot; commercial shell $0.22 per square foot; commercial alteration $0.45 per square foot.
04
Reinspection fee
Progressive protective-inspection fees are $35 first, $50 second, $75 third, and $100 fourth and subsequent; all fees double where application for a permitted activity is made retroactively.
City finance fee schedule lists a 3% convenience fee.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- CommunityCore (phone)
- Phone at (912) 764-0630 (phone)
- Email to planning.development@statesboroga.gov (email)
- Time windows
- Requests made before 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday are generally performed the next business day; AM or PM requests are not guaranteed.
Typical sequence: Foundation, framing/dry-in, trade rough-ins, energy inspections, finals, and certificate-of-occupancy release. The residential inspection checklist provides the detailed sequence for residential work.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Statesboro permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Statesboro, GA? ▸
Any owner, authorized agent, or contractor who desires to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system regulated by the construction codes, must first obtain the required permit.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Statesboro, GA? ▸
Building permit fees in Statesboro, GA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Minimum inspection fee for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC permits is $35; accessory-structure building permits are $0.16 per square foot or $50, whichever is greater.. Fees are calculated as: Current building permits are primarily square-foot based: single-family residential/townhome new construction $0.46 per square foot; accessory structures $0.16 per square foot or $50 minimum; new commercial with buildout $0.67 per square foot; commercial shell $0.22 per square foot; commercial alteration $0.45 per square foot.. Plan check fee: 5% of building permit fee, applicable to all permits..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Statesboro, GA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Statesboro, GA, follow these steps: 1. Register for a CommunityCore account. 2. Submit the building permit application through CommunityCore; if using the self-contractor option, include the Self Contractor Affidavit, which the city says is only for the applicant's primary residence. 3. Upload the required plan set and contractor information. Residential new construction and commercial new construction have separate published checklist requirements. 4. Departmental plan review generally occurs within about 2 weeks, but the city states reviewers have up to 30 days. 5. Respond to redlines or correction comments and resubmit if necessary. 6. After approval, pay permit and plan-review fees. 7. Schedule inspections in CommunityCore, by phone, or by email; inspections requested before 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday are generally performed the next business day. 8. Complete final inspection and obtain the certificate of occupancy or completion.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Statesboro, GA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Statesboro, GA typically run Generally about 2 weeks for review, with up to 30 days allowed.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Statesboro, GA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Statesboro, GA. The following work is generally exempt: Portable heating appliances; Portable ventilation equipment; Portable cooling units; Steam, hot-water, or chilled-water piping within heating or cooling equipment regulated by the construction codes; Replacements of parts that do not alter approval or make the equipment unsafe; Portable evaporative coolers; Self-contained refrigeration systems containing 10 pounds or less of refrigerant and actuated by motors of 1 horsepower or less; Ordinary minor repairs approved by the Building Official, so long as they do not violate the construction codes. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Statesboro, GA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Statesboro, GA via: CommunityCore, Phone at (912) 764-0630, Email to planning.development@statesboroga.gov.
last verified April 2026
source Planning & Development Department, City of Statesboro ↗
entry id permits/georgia/bulloch/statesboro
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Planning & Development Department, City of Statesboro before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.