Charlton County, GA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

This is the verified public permit authority for unincorporated Charlton County. The same county office also appears to be the public-facing permit and inspection office used throughout Charlton County generally, but this section is limited to the county's own unincorporated jurisdiction.

Department

Charlton County Permitting, 911 Addressing, Trash Pickup and Building Inspections / Code Enforcement

Address

68 Kingsland Dr., Suite C, Folkston, GA 31537

Phone

(912) 496-3826

Email

sreynolds@charltoncountyga.gov

Website

https://charltoncountyga.us/180/Permitting-Code-Enforcement

Application Process

1. Confirm the property is in unincorporated Charlton County and not inside Folkston or Homeland.
2. Review the county permitting page for the applicable permit type. The county publicly posts links for building permit applications, mobile home move-on permits, land-disturbance permits, and permit fees.
3. Complete the county building permit packet and checklist. The published checklist requires plans, application, septic proof, site plan, and other project-specific documents.
4. If applicable, obtain related prerequisite approvals shown in the county checklist, including septic-permit proof from environmental health and a county land-disturbance permit if more than one acre will be disturbed.
5. Submit the completed packet to the county permitting office and wait for issuance. The county warns that starting without a permit results in a doubled fee.
6. Request inspections by phone at (912) 496-3826. All inspection requests are scheduled for the next day.

Source: Charlton County Permitting, 911 Addressing, Trash Pickup and Building Inspections / Code Enforcement

General Requirements

Any construction project over 150 square feet must be permitted. Any mobile home being set up in Charlton County must be permitted, and used mobile homes must pass a safety and quality inspection before they are permitted. A land-disturbance permit is required when clearing more than one acre.

Required Documents

• Two sets of plans meeting the listed code set
• Completed permit application
• Truss package if applicable
• Proof that a septic permit has been applied for
• 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

Permit validity

No public countywide expiration rule for ordinary building permits was located in the published building-permit packet or county webpages. For mobile-home move-on permits, setup must be completed within 60 days after issuance and required passed inspections or another full-price permit is required.

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.

Owner-builder

Owner must reside in the 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 use licensed subcontractors for electrical, plumbing, and conditioned-air work.

Contractor requirements

All electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work must be done by contractors licensed by the Georgia Secretary of State with no exceptions. A Georgia licensed contractor must pull construction permits by law, while a homeowner may pull a permit to build their own home every two years. Homeowners may not pull their own electrical, plumbing, or gas permits, and may pull a mechanical permit only for a packaged heating and air unit.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

25

Plan check fee

50

Permit fee formula

Mixed schedule with flat fees by permit type plus per-square-foot and per-unit fees for some commercial and multifamily categories

Reinspection fee

50

Penalty (no permit)

Doubled permit fee when construction is begun or completed without a permit

Payment note

No public online permit payment workflow or card-processing policy was identified

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Charlton County Permitting, 911 Addressing, Trash Pickup and Building Inspections / Code Enforcement to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

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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 inspection sequence: County publicly confirms permit issuance followed by required inspections. For owner-builders, inspections must occur in an established sequence per the affidavit. For mobile-home move-on permits, the county publishes a two-inspection sequence followed by certificate of occupancy.

Additional Resources

• 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.
• Verify contractor license: Georgia Secretary of State Contractor License Board
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• License lookup guide: Georgia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Georgia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Georgia hub: Georgia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Charlton County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Charlton County, GA?

Any construction project over 150 square feet must be permitted. Any mobile home being set up in Charlton County must be permitted, and used mobile homes must pass a safety and quality inspection before they are permitted. A land-disturbance permit is required when clearing more than one acre.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Charlton County, GA?

The minimum permit fee is 25. Fees are calculated as: Mixed schedule with flat fees by permit type plus per-square-foot and per-unit fees for some commercial and multifamily categories. Plan check fee: 50.

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Charlton County, GA?

1. Confirm the property is in unincorporated Charlton County and not inside Folkston or Homeland. 2. Review the county permitting page for the applicable permit type. The county publicly posts links for building permit applications, mobile home move-on permits, land-disturbance permits, and permit fees. 3. Complete the county building permit packet and checklist. The published checklist requires plans, application, septic proof, site plan, and other project-specific documents. 4. If applicable, obtain related prerequisite approvals shown in the county checklist, including septic-permit proof from environmental health and a county land-disturbance permit if more than one acre will be disturbed. 5. Submit the completed packet to the county permitting office and wait for issuance. The county warns that starting without a permit results in a doubled fee. 6. Request inspections by phone at (912) 496-3826. All inspection requests are scheduled for the next day.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Charlton County, GA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: .