On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Grovetown
Any new construction requires a permit, including additions, demolition, most decks, fences over 7 feet, major renovations and repairs involving electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems, moving a structure, roofing, sheds and storage buildings, siding and windows, most sprinkler piping replacements, and swimming pools.
Sidewalks and driveways
Fences not over 7 feet tall
Detached, one-story sheds or storage buildings not exceeding 200 square feet
Stopping leaks in sprinkler systems
Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
- Exempt Sidewalks and driveways
- Exempt Fences not over 7 feet tall
- Exempt Detached, one-story sheds or storage buildings not exceeding 200 square feet
- Exempt Stopping leaks in sprinkler systems
- Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
Required documents
- Building permit application
- Plans and other supporting approvals as applicable
- Zoning approval if required
- Health department approval if required
- Fire department approval if required
- Soil conservation approval if required
- Engineering approval if required
- Water and sewer coordination if required
- Lead testing for pre-1978 homes and child-occupied facilities
- Asbestos testing for all repair, renovation, remodel, or demolition work
- Building code
- 2026 Georgia Amendments to the 2023 NEC, 2024 IRC, IBC, IFGC, IMC, IPC, and ISPSC with Georgia amendments, plus the 2024 IFC as adopted by the Safety Fire Commissioner.
- Permit validity
- Permit becomes null and void if work is not commenced within 6 months, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 1 year after commencement.
- Owner-builder
- The permit application includes a signature line for the owner if the owner is the builder; the city does not publish a separate owner-builder affidavit or fuller owner-builder policy.
- Contractor requirements
- Georgia state contractor licensing rules apply. The city also requires business licensing locally.
Source: City of Grovetown Planning and Community Development; Building Inspections ↗
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm the project needs a permit by checking the city Permit Requirements page or calling Planning and Community Development at 706-860-5094.
- 02 Download and complete the City of Grovetown Building Permit Application. The form requires job address, legal description, owner and contractor contacts, class of work, valuation, square footage, and any special approvals such as zoning, health department, fire department, soil conservation, engineering, water, sewer, lead, and asbestos.
- 03 Submit the application and any supporting plans or approvals to Planning and Community Development / Building Inspections.
- 04 Pay permit and plan review fees. Building plan review fees are due at submittal and all building permit fees are non-refundable.
- 05 Post the permit and request all required inspections. The applicant agrees to call for all building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical inspections required by Columbia County and/or the City of Grovetown.
Source: City of Grovetown Planning and Community Development; Building Inspections ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective November 13, 2024
Fee type
Amount
01
Plan check fee
Residential building plan review is $100 per lot at submittal. Commercial building plan review is a $250 flat fee at submittal.
02
Permit fee formula
Residential new construction building fee is $0.25 per square foot under roof. Commercial new construction uses the 2018 IBC square foot construction cost table multiplied by gross area and then by 0.0064. All other categories, including commercial and residential additions and renovations, are a $250 building flat fee.
03
Reinspection fee
$50 per reinspection
04
Penalty (no permit)
$250 penalty before any permit will be issued for work begun without a required permit
Building plan review fees are due at submittal and all building permit fees are non-refundable.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective November 13, 2024) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Building Official/Inspector Horace Kitchens at 706-863-4576 ext. 316 (phone)
Typical sequence: All required building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical inspections must be requested.
Source: City of Grovetown Planning and Community Development; Building Inspections ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Grovetown permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Grovetown, GA? ▸
Any new construction requires a permit, including additions, demolition, most decks, fences over 7 feet, major renovations and repairs involving electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems, moving a structure, roofing, sheds and storage buildings, siding and windows, most sprinkler piping replacements, and swimming pools.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Grovetown, GA? ▸
Building permit fees in Grovetown, GA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Residential new construction building fee is $0.25 per square foot under roof. Commercial new construction uses the 2018 IBC square foot construction cost table multiplied by gross area and then by 0.0064. All other categories, including commercial and residential additions and renovations, are a $250 building flat fee.. Plan check fee: Residential building plan review is $100 per lot at submittal. Commercial building plan review is a $250 flat fee at submittal..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Grovetown, GA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Grovetown, GA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the project needs a permit by checking the city Permit Requirements page or calling Planning and Community Development at 706-860-5094. 2. Download and complete the City of Grovetown Building Permit Application. The form requires job address, legal description, owner and contractor contacts, class of work, valuation, square footage, and any special approvals such as zoning, health department, fire department, soil conservation, engineering, water, sewer, lead, and asbestos. 3. Submit the application and any supporting plans or approvals to Planning and Community Development / Building Inspections. 4. Pay permit and plan review fees. Building plan review fees are due at submittal and all building permit fees are non-refundable. 5. Post the permit and request all required inspections. The applicant agrees to call for all building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical inspections required by Columbia County and/or the City of Grovetown.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Grovetown, GA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Grovetown, GA. The following work is generally exempt: Sidewalks and driveways; Fences not over 7 feet tall; Detached, one-story sheds or storage buildings not exceeding 200 square feet; Stopping leaks in sprinkler systems; Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Grovetown, GA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Grovetown, GA via: Building Official/Inspector Horace Kitchens at 706-863-4576 ext. 316.
last verified April 2026
source City of Grovetown Planning and Community Development; Building Inspections ↗
entry id permits/georgia/columbia/grovetown
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Grovetown Planning and Community Development; Building Inspections before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.