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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Folkston
The erection, alteration, or reconstruction of any building or structure cannot begin without a building permit. Construction projects over 150 square feet must be permitted. Any mobile home being set up must be permitted. Land disturbance over one acre requires a land disturbance permit.
Survey exemptions for detached single-family residential lots
Interior modifications
Roof permits
Permit-required work that does not expand an existing structure
Accessory structures with a building value below $10,000 when a scaled drawing is submitted instead of a survey
- Exempt Survey exemptions for detached single-family residential lots
- Exempt Interior modifications
- Exempt Roof permits
- Exempt Permit-required work that does not expand an existing structure
- Exempt Accessory structures with a building value below $10,000 when a scaled drawing is submitted instead of a survey
Note: Projects over 150 square feet must be permitted; no formal exempt-work chart published
Required documents
- Two sets of plans
- Completed application
- Truss package if engineered trusses are used
- Septic permit proof
- Homeowner acting as contractor agreement if applicable
- Code summary acknowledgement if needed
- Site development plan showing setbacks
- Elevation certificate if building in a flood zone
- Proof of county land-disturbance permit if disturbing more than one acre
- Property survey for most building-permit applications (Folkston requirement, subject to exemptions)
- Building code
- International Building Code (IBC) 2018 Edition with Georgia Amendments; International Residential Code (IRC) 2018 Edition with Georgia Amendments; International Fire Code (IFC) 2018; International Plumbing Code (IPC) 2018; International Mechanical Code (IMC) 2018; International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) 2018; National Electrical Code (NEC) 2017; International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2015; International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) 2018 with Georgia Amendments; Georgia DCA minimum standard codes apply statewide.
- Permit validity
- Development permits for exempt development are valid for six months. Building permits expire if work is not commenced and a satisfactory inspection is not received within six months from issuance, or if work is not completed within 18 months from issuance. Owner-builder permits expire within 24 months if work is not completed, subject to limited extensions.
- Owner-builder
- Owner must reside in the completed structure and not offer it for sale or rent for at least two years after certificate of occupancy issuance. Owner acts as general contractor and must hire properly licensed contractors for subcontracted electrical, plumbing, and conditioned-air work. Owner-builder building permits expire within 24 months per Folkston code.
- Contractor requirements
- All electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work must be done by a contractor licensed by the Georgia Secretary of State with no exceptions. State-licensed contractors must pull construction permits by law, except that a homeowner may pull a permit to build their own home every two years. Georgia license numbers for the general contractor and all listed trades are required.
Source: City of Folkston / Charlton County Permitting, Building Inspections, and Code Enforcement ↗
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm the parcel is inside Folkston city limits and determine whether the project triggers city zoning, site-development, subdivision, sign, driveway, excavation/fill, or temporary-use review under the City of Folkston Land Development Code.
- 02 Start with the City Manager for city-level development/building permit routing. The code requires applications for development permits to the City Manager.
- 03 Assemble the county permit packet and checklist materials, including completed application, two plan sets, truss package if applicable, septic proof, homeowner-as-contractor agreement if applicable, code summary acknowledgement if needed, site development plan, flood-zone elevation certificate if applicable, and proof of a county land disturbance permit when disturbing more than one acre.
- 04 If the project involves site development or subdivision review, follow the Folkston code process through City Manager review and any required Planning Commission or City Council action.
- 05 Submit the permit materials and do not start work before issuance. Projects begun without a building permit must still buy a permit at double the fee.
- 06 Schedule inspections by phone with Charlton County Building Inspections at (912) 496-3826.
Source: City of Folkston / Charlton County Permitting, Building Inspections, and Code Enforcement ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Folkston building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
25
02
Plan check fee
50
03
Permit fee formula
Mostly flat-fee schedule by permit type, with some per-square-foot and per-unit fees
04
Trade permit fee
50
05
Reinspection fee
50
06
Penalty (no permit)
Double the permit fee if construction is begun or completed without first obtaining the permit
No public online permit payment workflow identified
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Call Charlton County Building Inspections at (912) 496-3826 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Time windows
- Inspection requests are scheduled for the next day
Typical sequence: For general building work: permit issuance followed by required inspections before work may proceed and before occupancy. For mobile homes: Inspection 1 covers anchoring/installation, utilities, meter pole connection, mechanical installation, posted state installation permit, and steps/landings; Inspection 2 covers posted 911 address and skirting, followed by certificate of occupancy.
Source: City of Folkston / Charlton County Permitting, Building Inspections, and Code Enforcement ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Folkston permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Folkston, GA? ▸
The erection, alteration, or reconstruction of any building or structure cannot begin without a building permit. Construction projects over 150 square feet must be permitted. Any mobile home being set up must be permitted. Land disturbance over one acre requires a land disturbance permit.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Folkston, GA? ▸
Building permit fees in Folkston, GA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is 25. Fees are calculated as: Mostly flat-fee schedule by permit type, with some per-square-foot and per-unit fees. Plan check fee: 50.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Folkston, GA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Folkston, GA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the parcel is inside Folkston city limits and determine whether the project triggers city zoning, site-development, subdivision, sign, driveway, excavation/fill, or temporary-use review under the City of Folkston Land Development Code. 2. Start with the City Manager for city-level development/building permit routing. The code requires applications for development permits to the City Manager. 3. Assemble the county permit packet and checklist materials, including completed application, two plan sets, truss package if applicable, septic proof, homeowner-as-contractor agreement if applicable, code summary acknowledgement if needed, site development plan, flood-zone elevation certificate if applicable, and proof of a county land disturbance permit when disturbing more than one acre. 4. If the project involves site development or subdivision review, follow the Folkston code process through City Manager review and any required Planning Commission or City Council action. 5. Submit the permit materials and do not start work before issuance. Projects begun without a building permit must still buy a permit at double the fee. 6. Schedule inspections by phone with Charlton County Building Inspections at (912) 496-3826.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Folkston, GA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Folkston, GA. The following work is generally exempt: Survey exemptions for detached single-family residential lots; Interior modifications; Roof permits; Permit-required work that does not expand an existing structure; Accessory structures with a building value below $10,000 when a scaled drawing is submitted instead of a survey. Note: Projects over 150 square feet must be permitted; no formal exempt-work chart published When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Folkston, GA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Folkston, GA via: Call Charlton County Building Inspections at (912) 496-3826.
last verified April 2026
source City of Folkston / Charlton County Permitting, Building Inspections, and Code Enforcement ↗
entry id permits/georgia/charlton/folkston
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Folkston / Charlton County Permitting, Building Inspections, and Code Enforcement before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.