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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Savannah
Savannah requires permits for construction governed by federal, state, and local codes, including new construction, additions, renovations, demolition, roofing, windows, pools, solar, fences, and trade work.
Exterior paint
Roof patch less than 100 square feet
Replace roof shingles only
Storm windows
Window replacement with no change in size
Carpet in non-assembly areas
Fiberglass insulation
Minor porch repairs
Concrete patio on grade
Screen an existing roofed porch
Replace porch flooring
Repair steps using like materials and dimensions
Kitchen cabinets
Minor plumbing leak repairs
Replace switches, plates, same-type outlets, same-type light fixtures, breakers, fuses
Portable heating, ventilating, and cooling equipment
Appliance repairs as listed on the city exempt-work handout
Gutters and downspouts
Wood or chain link fence under 7 feet
Free-standing open roof pergola under 200 square feet and under 10 feet tall
Portable pool less than 2 feet deep and less than 250 square feet
- Exempt Exterior paint
- Exempt Roof patch less than 100 square feet
- Exempt Replace roof shingles only
- Exempt Storm windows
- Exempt Window replacement with no change in size
- Exempt Carpet in non-assembly areas
- Exempt Fiberglass insulation
- Exempt Minor porch repairs
- Exempt Concrete patio on grade
- Exempt Screen an existing roofed porch
- Exempt Replace porch flooring
- Exempt Repair steps using like materials and dimensions
- Exempt Kitchen cabinets
- Exempt Minor plumbing leak repairs
- Exempt Replace switches, plates, same-type outlets, same-type light fixtures, breakers, fuses
- Exempt Portable heating, ventilating, and cooling equipment
- Exempt Appliance repairs as listed on the city exempt-work handout
- Exempt Gutters and downspouts
- Exempt Wood or chain link fence under 7 feet
- Exempt Free-standing open roof pergola under 200 square feet and under 10 feet tall
- Exempt Portable pool less than 2 feet deep and less than 250 square feet
Required documents
- Completed permit application
- Project-specific plans
- Plan review payment at application
- Approved plans on site for inspection
- Additional zoning or historic review documents where applicable
- Building code
- Enforcement of federal, state, and local codes. Georgia state minimum codes apply.
- Permit validity
- 90-day permit extension fee is published; permit reinstatement fee is also published.
- Owner-builder
- If acting as your own contractor, you may call in your own building inspections but may not call in inspections for your trades.
- Contractor requirements
- Appropriately licensed contractors may submit online inspection requests through eTRAC. Georgia state licensing rules apply.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: No general citywide issuance turnaround published. Inspection requests are generally next available day.
- 01 Identify the permit type and whether the work is exempt using Savannah's published handouts.
- 02 Prepare the application package and plans for Development Services review.
- 03 Submit through eTRAC or the city permit counter, depending on project type and submittal needs.
- 04 Pay the plan review fee at application.
- 05 Respond to review comments if issued and wait for approval.
- 06 Pay the permit fee at issuance.
- 07 Post the permit, complete required inspections, and obtain final approval or Certificate of Occupancy.
Typical processing time: No general citywide issuance turnaround published. Inspection requests are generally next available day.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Savannah building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$40.00 plus technology fee
02
Plan check fee
Starting at $75.00 for construction value from $0 to $74,999, with higher tiers thereafter
03
Permit fee formula
Mixed. New construction and larger renovations are valuation-based; many smaller residential and commercial permits are flat fee by permit type.
04
Reinspection fee
$100.00 extra inspection fee; $50.00 per hour after-hours inspection with $150.00 minimum
05
Penalty (no permit)
Greater of $500.00 or double permit fee for working without permit; $500.00 for occupying without Certificate of Occupancy
Plan review is paid at application. Permit fee is paid at issuance. A $5.00 technology fee is added to listed permit types.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- 912-651-6530 (phone)
- eTRAC portal (for appropriately licensed contractors) (online)
- Inspection hours
- 7:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for next day building inspections. Trade inspections requested between 7:15 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. are same day in most cases.
Typical sequence: Typical sequence is project-dependent; building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and final inspections as applicable.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Savannah permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Savannah, GA? ▸
Savannah requires permits for construction governed by federal, state, and local codes, including new construction, additions, renovations, demolition, roofing, windows, pools, solar, fences, and trade work.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Savannah, GA? ▸
Building permit fees in Savannah, GA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $40.00 plus technology fee. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. New construction and larger renovations are valuation-based; many smaller residential and commercial permits are flat fee by permit type.. Plan check fee: Starting at $75.00 for construction value from $0 to $74,999, with higher tiers thereafter.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Savannah, GA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Savannah, GA, follow these steps: 1. Identify the permit type and whether the work is exempt using Savannah's published handouts. 2. Prepare the application package and plans for Development Services review. 3. Submit through eTRAC or the city permit counter, depending on project type and submittal needs. 4. Pay the plan review fee at application. 5. Respond to review comments if issued and wait for approval. 6. Pay the permit fee at issuance. 7. Post the permit, complete required inspections, and obtain final approval or Certificate of Occupancy.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Savannah, GA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Savannah, GA typically run No general citywide issuance turnaround published. Inspection requests are generally next available day.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Savannah, GA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Savannah, GA. The following work is generally exempt: Exterior paint; Roof patch less than 100 square feet; Replace roof shingles only; Storm windows; Window replacement with no change in size; Carpet in non-assembly areas; Fiberglass insulation; Minor porch repairs; Concrete patio on grade; Screen an existing roofed porch; Replace porch flooring; Repair steps using like materials and dimensions; Kitchen cabinets; Minor plumbing leak repairs; Replace switches, plates, same-type outlets, same-type light fixtures, breakers, fuses; Portable heating, ventilating, and cooling equipment; Appliance repairs as listed on the city exempt-work handout; Gutters and downspouts; Wood or chain link fence under 7 feet; Free-standing open roof pergola under 200 square feet and under 10 feet tall; Portable pool less than 2 feet deep and less than 250 square feet. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Savannah, GA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Savannah, GA via: 912-651-6530, eTRAC portal (for appropriately licensed contractors).
last verified April 2026
source City of Savannah Development Services Department ↗
entry id permits/georgia/chatham/savannah
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Savannah Development Services Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.