On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Catoosa County
Before excavation or filling for construction, new residential or commercial construction, alterations and additions, storage buildings or garages 200+ sq ft or with electrical/plumbing/gas/HVAC, mobile homes, most electrical/plumbing/HVAC/gas work, in-ground pools, above-ground pools 24+ inches, road cuts, timber cuts, demolition, cell towers, land disturbance, and special events
Home gardening
Installation of carpet
Installation of appliances in homes
Installation of drapes, curtains, curtain rods, pictures, or other household furniture
Sanding or painting interior or exterior surfaces of homes, buildings, or structures
Installation of telephone jacks or computer modems
Erection, repair, or destruction of fences, except those on right of way or concerning swimming pools
Nonelectrical or nongas repairs that do not extend the size of the building
Installation of kitchen appliances or water or sewer fixtures, except separate sewer, water, or septic permits may still be required
Ordinary yard work, landscaping, lawn mowing, or sprinkling, except regulated buffer/screening work
Paving or placing chert/rock on a private drive, private road, basketball court, or tennis court, except tile on a public road needs county approval and paving/parking plots over one acre are regulated
- Exempt Home gardening
- Exempt Installation of carpet
- Exempt Installation of appliances in homes
- Exempt Installation of drapes, curtains, curtain rods, pictures, or other household furniture
- Exempt Sanding or painting interior or exterior surfaces of homes, buildings, or structures
- Exempt Installation of telephone jacks or computer modems
- Exempt Erection, repair, or destruction of fences, except those on right of way or concerning swimming pools
- Exempt Nonelectrical or nongas repairs that do not extend the size of the building
- Exempt Installation of kitchen appliances or water or sewer fixtures, except separate sewer, water, or septic permits may still be required
- Exempt Ordinary yard work, landscaping, lawn mowing, or sprinkling, except regulated buffer/screening work
- Exempt Paving or placing chert/rock on a private drive, private road, basketball court, or tennis court, except tile on a public road needs county approval and paving/parking plots over one acre are regulated
Required documents
- Building permit application
- Approvals for 911 addressing, stormwater, zoning, environmental health (septic where applicable), and sewer (where applicable)
- Site plan showing setbacks and driveway
- Square-footage breakdown
- Contractor and subcontractor license information
- Commercial plans and plan media for commercial work
- Homeowner affidavit if owner is acting under owner-builder/trade self-permit rules
- Building code
- Catoosa County enforces the International Building Codes as prescribed by the International Code Council, mandated by and amended by the State of Georgia. Georgia's current state minimum codes (effective January 1, 2026) include the 2024 IBC, IRC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IFC, ISPSC, 2023 NEC, and 2015 IECC with Georgia amendments
- Permit validity
- Permit is void if work has not commenced and at least one required inspection has not occurred within 6 months from issue date. If work has commenced, permit expires 1 year from issue date. One written extension up to 60 days is allowed before expiration; a one-time courtesy renewal for 6 months is allowed at one-half of the original permit fee (minimum $25)
- Owner-builder
- Georgia allows residential owners to construct for their own use if not offered for sale or lease. If sold or transferred, the owner cannot build another for 2 years unless licensed or using a licensed contractor. Homeowners may pull electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and gas permits in their own name if they sign an affidavit that they own and occupy the residence and will continue residing there for at least 2 years
- Contractor requirements
- County requires Georgia general contractor information on building applications and Georgia state licenses for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and gas work. Residential contractors performing work over $2,500 must be licensed by the Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: 7-10 working days or longer for commercial plan review
- 01 Confirm the permit type and download the correct county form from the county Permits and Applications page
- 02 Complete the county building permit application with site address, owner and contractor information, work description, valuation, square footage, stories, bedrooms/bathrooms, and licensed trade subcontractors
- 03 Obtain required approvals shown on the form: 911 addressing, stormwater, zoning, environmental health for septic where applicable, and sewer approval where applicable
- 04 Return the approved original application to Catoosa County Building Inspection at 184 Tiger Trail for permit issuance and fee collection
- 05 For commercial and industrial permits, submit the same base information plus three printed plan sets and a CD with complete plans; plan review takes at least 7 to 10 working days or longer
- 06 Schedule required inspections through the county after issuance. Approved third-party inspectors may be used at permit holder's expense when county is more than one day out
Typical processing time: 7-10 working days or longer for commercial plan review
§ 04
Fee schedule
Catoosa County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Building permit application form shows $100 zoning, $100 stormwater, and $15 certificate of occupancy line items, plus permit and any plan-review amounts
02
Plan check fee
Separate plan review fee; no public formula found
03
Permit fee formula
Valuation-based; core building fee formula not fully published on public form
04
Reinspection fee
First reinspection $25, second $50, third $100
05
Penalty (no permit)
Double permit fees for work started without original permit
Permit fees are collected when the approved original is returned for issuance. Permit fees are non-refundable after 60 days
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Schedule through county building department (phone)
- Approved third-party inspectors may be used at permit holder expense when county is more than one day out (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Typical sequence: Varies by project. Commercial work requires plan review and a preconstruction meeting with building and stormwater officials before issuance. Final inspection confirms required address posting and any required tree planting or zoning conditions. Permit life is tied to having at least one required inspection within 6 months
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Catoosa County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Catoosa County, GA? ▸
Before excavation or filling for construction, new residential or commercial construction, alterations and additions, storage buildings or garages 200+ sq ft or with electrical/plumbing/gas/HVAC, mobile homes, most electrical/plumbing/HVAC/gas work, in-ground pools, above-ground pools 24+ inches, road cuts, timber cuts, demolition, cell towers, land disturbance, and special events
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Catoosa County, GA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Catoosa County, GA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Building permit application form shows $100 zoning, $100 stormwater, and $15 certificate of occupancy line items, plus permit and any plan-review amounts. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based; core building fee formula not fully published on public form. Plan check fee: Separate plan review fee; no public formula found.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Catoosa County, GA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Catoosa County, GA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the permit type and download the correct county form from the county Permits and Applications page 2. Complete the county building permit application with site address, owner and contractor information, work description, valuation, square footage, stories, bedrooms/bathrooms, and licensed trade subcontractors 3. Obtain required approvals shown on the form: 911 addressing, stormwater, zoning, environmental health for septic where applicable, and sewer approval where applicable 4. Return the approved original application to Catoosa County Building Inspection at 184 Tiger Trail for permit issuance and fee collection 5. For commercial and industrial permits, submit the same base information plus three printed plan sets and a CD with complete plans; plan review takes at least 7 to 10 working days or longer 6. Schedule required inspections through the county after issuance. Approved third-party inspectors may be used at permit holder's expense when county is more than one day out
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Catoosa County, GA? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Catoosa County, GA typically run 7-10 working days or longer for commercial plan review. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Catoosa County, GA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Catoosa County, GA. The following work is generally exempt: Home gardening; Installation of carpet; Installation of appliances in homes; Installation of drapes, curtains, curtain rods, pictures, or other household furniture; Sanding or painting interior or exterior surfaces of homes, buildings, or structures; Installation of telephone jacks or computer modems; Erection, repair, or destruction of fences, except those on right of way or concerning swimming pools; Nonelectrical or nongas repairs that do not extend the size of the building; Installation of kitchen appliances or water or sewer fixtures, except separate sewer, water, or septic permits may still be required; Ordinary yard work, landscaping, lawn mowing, or sprinkling, except regulated buffer/screening work; Paving or placing chert/rock on a private drive, private road, basketball court, or tennis court, except tile on a public road needs county approval and paving/parking plots over one acre are regulated. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Catoosa County, GA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Catoosa County, GA via: Schedule through county building department, Approved third-party inspectors may be used at permit holder expense when county is more than one day out.
last verified April 2026
source Catoosa County Building Inspection ↗
entry id permits/georgia/catoosa/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Catoosa County Building Inspection before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.