On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Bulloch County
Residential, commercial, and industrial new construction; additions; renovation; manufactured home setup; structures over 200 square feet; site-built home moving; signs; towers; swimming pools; swimming-pool enclosures; decks over 200 square feet.
Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work
Fences under 6 feet high
Retaining walls under 3 feet
- Exempt Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work
- Exempt Fences under 6 feet high
- Exempt Retaining walls under 3 feet
Required documents
- Building permit application
- Permit-specific requirement sheets as identified on Development Services documents page
- Building code
- IBC 2018 with Georgia amendments; IRC 2018 with Georgia amendments; IFC 2018; IPC 2018 with Georgia amendments; IMC 2018 with Georgia amendments; IFGC 2018 with Georgia amendments; NEC 2020; IECC 2015 with Georgia supplements and amendments; ISPSC 2018 with Georgia amendments.
- Owner-builder
- Homeowners may obtain permits. If you are not a contractor, you may build your own home, but you cannot receive another permit to construct another home within 2 years from the issuance of the certificate of occupancy.
- Contractor requirements
- Registered general contractors, trade contractors, and homeowners may obtain permits. Georgia state licensing rules apply, including residential-contractor licensing for covered work over $2,500.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm zoning, floodplain, and development requirements with Development Services if the project involves land use, floodplain, subdivision, or land disturbance.
- 02 Create an EnerGov account or contact the county for paper/intake assistance.
- 03 Submit the building permit application and any required supporting documents; if land disturbance is involved, secure erosion/sediment approvals first or apply concurrently.
- 04 County staff reviews the application and plans for code compliance; the county does not publish a standard turnaround time.
- 05 Pay permit and any plan-review fees after approval.
- 06 Post the permit on site and request inspections by phone or email no later than 5:00 p.m. the business day before the inspection.
- 07 Complete final inspection and obtain the certificate of occupancy where required.
Source: Building Permit / Inspection Department, Bulloch County Development ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Bulloch County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Certificate of occupancy $35; some other county development fees are lower, but the county does not publish a single universal minimum building-permit fee.
02
Plan check fee
Non-residential building and site plan review is building permit plus 5%, minimum $500; non-residential site-plan review and second review $800 each; third and later revised site-plan review $850 each.
03
Permit fee formula
Square-foot formulas for most new construction and additions; flat brackets for renovation; flat inspection fees; separate land-disturbing fee.
04
Reinspection fee
$100 per inspection; same-day inspection $100; non-permitted inspection $100; county land-disturbing local fee is $100 plus $2 per acre in development plus $40 per disturbed acre.
The EnerGov portal advertises online payments; no public convenience-fee note was located.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Call (912) 489-1356 (phone)
- Email inspections@bullochcounty.net (email)
- Scheduling deadline
- 5:00 p.m. the business day before the inspection
- Inspection hours
- 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Time windows
- Monday through Friday; no public time-window guarantee posted
Typical sequence: Foundation/temporary power; pre-slab or sub-floor stages as applicable; framing; exterior sheathing; dry-in; insulation; permanent power; certificate of occupancy.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Bulloch County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Bulloch County, GA? ▸
Residential, commercial, and industrial new construction; additions; renovation; manufactured home setup; structures over 200 square feet; site-built home moving; signs; towers; swimming pools; swimming-pool enclosures; decks over 200 square feet.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Bulloch County, GA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Bulloch County, GA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Certificate of occupancy $35; some other county development fees are lower, but the county does not publish a single universal minimum building-permit fee.. Fees are calculated as: Square-foot formulas for most new construction and additions; flat brackets for renovation; flat inspection fees; separate land-disturbing fee.. Plan check fee: Non-residential building and site plan review is building permit plus 5%, minimum $500; non-residential site-plan review and second review $800 each; third and later revised site-plan review $850 each..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Bulloch County, GA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Bulloch County, GA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm zoning, floodplain, and development requirements with Development Services if the project involves land use, floodplain, subdivision, or land disturbance. 2. Create an EnerGov account or contact the county for paper/intake assistance. 3. Submit the building permit application and any required supporting documents; if land disturbance is involved, secure erosion/sediment approvals first or apply concurrently. 4. County staff reviews the application and plans for code compliance; the county does not publish a standard turnaround time. 5. Pay permit and any plan-review fees after approval. 6. Post the permit on site and request inspections by phone or email no later than 5:00 p.m. the business day before the inspection. 7. Complete final inspection and obtain the certificate of occupancy where required.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Bulloch County, GA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Bulloch County, GA. The following work is generally exempt: Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work; Fences under 6 feet high; Retaining walls under 3 feet. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Bulloch County, GA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Bulloch County, GA via: Call (912) 489-1356, Email inspections@bullochcounty.net. 5:00 p.m. the business day before the inspection.
last verified April 2026
source Building Permit / Inspection Department, Bulloch County Development ↗
entry id permits/georgia/bulloch/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building Permit / Inspection Department, Bulloch County Development before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.