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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Butts County
A building permit is required to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, or demolish any building or structure, and for installations, alterations, or improvements to electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems
Cosmetic clean-up work
Cosmetic painting and interior or exterior wall and floor repairs
Fences not over 6 feet high
Retaining walls not over 4 feet high measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall
- Exempt Cosmetic clean-up work
- Exempt Cosmetic painting and interior or exterior wall and floor repairs
- Exempt Fences not over 6 feet high
- Exempt Retaining walls not over 4 feet high measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall
Required documents
- Recorded deed and plat
- Homeowner affidavit or contractor licenses
- Authorized permit agent form
- Proof taxes are paid
- Septic approval letter where applicable
- Water or sewer fee receipt
- Driveway permit
- Site plan or house location plan
- Detailed scope of work
- Construction plans
- Building code
- Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes including 2024 IBC, 2024 IRC, 2024 IPC, 2024 IMC, 2024 IFGC, 2024 ISPSC, 2023 NEC, 2015 IECC, and 2024 IFC with Georgia amendments where applicable
- Permit validity
- Permits expire after 6 months if no inspections have been made and inactivity exists during that period
- Owner-builder
- Permits are issued only to a licensed contractor or to the owner-occupant of a residential property pursuant to O.C.G.A. 43-41-17(c)(2)(H); owner-occupant must submit a notarized affidavit before permit issuance
- Contractor requirements
- Either a homeowner affidavit or contractor business and state contractor licenses required; State law requires licensure for residential contractor work over $2,500
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: A few days to a few weeks, depending on project complexity
- 01 Visit the county Inspection and Permitting office at 625 West Third Street in Jackson or start through the county customer portal
- 02 Complete the applicable building permit application and assemble required supporting documents for the project type
- 03 Schedule a pre-development meeting when required by contacting Channing Cawthon
- 04 Submit the permit package, signed and stamped plans when required, and pay applicable permit fees
- 05 Complete plan review (discussed during pre-development meeting)
- 06 Receive permit issuance and follow inspection requirements
- 07 Request inspections through the customer portal or by contacting the department at least 24 hours in advance
- 08 After passing final inspection, request a certificate of occupancy through the portal or by contacting Channing Cawthon
Typical processing time: A few days to a few weeks, depending on project complexity
Source: Butts County Planning and Development Department / Inspection and Permitting ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective 2024
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$250.00 administrative fee applies to building permits; some flat-fee permit types are lower where the schedule says the administrative fee does not apply
02
Plan check fee
Additional 30% of permit fee for plan review; architectural plan review is 60% of permit fee for renovations over $75,000 and 30% for renovations up to $75,000
03
Permit fee formula
Building permit fees are per-square-foot based on IBC occupancy group and construction type, plus a $250.00 administrative fee; flat fees apply to listed items such as decks, trade permits, pools, demolition, manufactured homes, and signs
04
Reinspection fee
$50.00 per reinspection; work started without permit is 200% of calculated fee; permit extension is 25% of original permit fee
05
Penalty (no permit)
200% of calculated fee for work started without permit
Permits may be paid by cash or check during business hours; online card-processing terms not described on public pages
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2024) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Customer portal (phone)
- Direct contact with Inspection and Permitting / Channing Cawthon (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- At least 24 hours notice required
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Typical sequence: Project-specific; county staff discuss the required inspection sequence before issuance; on-site inspections, final inspection, and certificate of occupancy after passing final
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Butts County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Butts County, GA? ▸
A building permit is required to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, or demolish any building or structure, and for installations, alterations, or improvements to electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Butts County, GA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Butts County, GA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $250.00 administrative fee applies to building permits; some flat-fee permit types are lower where the schedule says the administrative fee does not apply. Fees are calculated as: Building permit fees are per-square-foot based on IBC occupancy group and construction type, plus a $250.00 administrative fee; flat fees apply to listed items such as decks, trade permits, pools, demolition, manufactured homes, and signs. Plan check fee: Additional 30% of permit fee for plan review; architectural plan review is 60% of permit fee for renovations over $75,000 and 30% for renovations up to $75,000.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Butts County, GA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Butts County, GA, follow these steps: 1. Visit the county Inspection and Permitting office at 625 West Third Street in Jackson or start through the county customer portal 2. Complete the applicable building permit application and assemble required supporting documents for the project type 3. Schedule a pre-development meeting when required by contacting Channing Cawthon 4. Submit the permit package, signed and stamped plans when required, and pay applicable permit fees 5. Complete plan review (discussed during pre-development meeting) 6. Receive permit issuance and follow inspection requirements 7. Request inspections through the customer portal or by contacting the department at least 24 hours in advance 8. After passing final inspection, request a certificate of occupancy through the portal or by contacting Channing Cawthon
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Butts County, GA? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Butts County, GA typically run A few days to a few weeks, depending on project complexity. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Butts County, GA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Butts County, GA. The following work is generally exempt: Cosmetic clean-up work; Cosmetic painting and interior or exterior wall and floor repairs; Fences not over 6 feet high; Retaining walls not over 4 feet high measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Butts County, GA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Butts County, GA via: Customer portal, Direct contact with Inspection and Permitting / Channing Cawthon. At least 24 hours notice required.
last verified April 2026
source Butts County Planning and Development Department / Inspection and Permitting ↗
entry id permits/georgia/butts/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Butts County Planning and Development Department / Inspection and Permitting before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.