Crawford County, GA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies to unincorporated Crawford County. Crawford County Planning and Zoning issues building permits and serves as code enforcement for the unincorporated area of Crawford County.

Department

Crawford County Planning and Zoning

Address

640 GA Hwy 128, Roberta, GA 31078

Phone

478-836-3199

Email

t.graumann@crawfordcountyga.org , j.andrews@crawfordcountyga.org , l.kriz@crawfordcountyga.org

Website

https://www.crawfordcountyga.org/planning-and-zoning/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the site is in unincorporated Crawford County and check zoning through Crawford County Planning and Zoning
2. Obtain zoning compliance and gather the county's required submittals; zoning form must be submitted to the building department for building permits
3. For dwelling permits, secure Health Department well and septic approval first if applicable
4. Submit the permit application through GeoPermits or the county's fillable permit application and office intake with required plans, deed, plat, and contractor licenses; commercial submittals require site plans, deed, engineer-stamped building plans, and builder and trade licenses
5. Wait for review and issuance; commercial plan review minimum 5 business days
6. Post the issued permit on site and do not begin construction until it is posted
7. Request inspections through the office or GeoPermits with at least 24-hour notice, and only when the work is fully ready
8. Complete final inspection and any required certificate of occupancy before occupancy or qualifying use change

Typical processing time: Commercial plan review minimum 5 business days; no separate residential estimate publicly posted

Source: Crawford County Planning and Zoning

General Requirements

Crawford County's land-development regulations make it unlawful to construct, reconstruct, or alter any building or structure without first obtaining a building permit from the Building Official, and to use such building, structure, or land without first obtaining any required occupancy permit. The county fee sheet also states that any owner or authorized agent intending to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, change occupancy, or install or replace regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems must first apply to the building official and obtain the required permit.

Required Documents

• Zoning compliance application
• Permit application
• House and site plan or blueprints
• Recorded plat
• Recorded deed
• Health Department well and septic approval before dwelling permits
• Contractor licenses
• Commercial project plans and licenses as applicable
• Manufactured-home-specific documents for those permits including title or tax documents for pre-owned units
• Mover, installer, and electrician information for manufactured homes

Permit validity

Any building permit automatically expires 6 months from issuance if it is not being exercised for its issued purpose, or if the authorized work is suspended or discontinued for 1 year

Building code

The county's land-development regulations include an inspection-policy article listing the International Building Code, International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, International Fire Code, International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Energy Conservation Code, and National Electric Code as guidelines for inspections within the county, amended September 20, 2016. Georgia DCA's current statewide minimum-code baseline includes the 2024 IBC, 2024 IRC, 2024 IFC, 2024 IPC, 2024 IMC, 2024 IFGC, 2023 NEC, 2015 IECC, and 2024 ISPSC with Georgia amendments or supplements as applicable.

Owner-builder

The county's Homeowner Affidavit requires owner-builders to certify that they own and will occupy the home, will not offer it for sale for at least 2 years per O.C.G.A. 43-41-17(h), and will comply with state and local building codes and inspection sequencing. The affidavit also states the owner may not hire another individual or firm to hire subcontractors unless that party is properly licensed and secures any additional required permits.

Contractor requirements

The county prerequisite sheet requires copies of state and local licenses for the general contractor, electrician, plumber, and HVAC contractor. Georgia Secretary of State licensing requirements for residential and commercial general contractors also apply.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$300 for additions; $400 for accessory buildings; $500 for commercial plan review up to 5,000 square feet; $600 for buildings up to 9,999 square feet

Plan check fee

$500 for 5,000 sq ft or less; $1,000 for 5,001-10,000 sq ft; $1,500 for 10,001-30,000 sq ft; $2,000 above 30,000 sq ft

Permit fee formula

Square-footage and permit-type based. Buildings up to 9,999 sq ft: $600; 10,000-49,999 sq ft: $1,300; 50,000-99,999 sq ft: $1,800; additions up to 10,000 sq ft: $300 plus $100 per additional 500 sq ft; accessory buildings up to 500 sq ft: $400 plus $100 per additional 500 sq ft; tower fees; acreage-based solar-farm fees.

Reinspection fee

$100 additional inspection charge applies if inspector must make a third trip for uncorrected items or unready inspections; $100 fee applies after the second failed inspection

Penalty (no permit)

Work started without a permit results in doubled permit fees

Payment note

No public permit-payment method sheet or online permit-payment instructions were located beyond office and portal routing

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2026-01).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Crawford County Planning and Zoning to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

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Scheduling deadline

24-hour notice required

Time windows

Inspections will be performed within 48 hours of receiving a request

Typical inspection sequence: Foundation before concrete; under-slab plumbing; slab cover; temporary power; framing, sheathing, house wrap, and rough inspection; moisture barrier; MEP rough inspection; insulation; permanent power connection; final inspection. These are common requirements and not all-inclusive.

Additional Resources

• Building code: The county's land-development regulations include an inspection-policy article listing the International Building Code, International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, International Fire Code, International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Energy Conservation Code, and National Electric Code as guidelines for inspections within the county, amended September 20, 2016. Georgia DCA's current statewide minimum-code baseline includes the 2024 IBC, 2024 IRC, 2024 IFC, 2024 IPC, 2024 IMC, 2024 IFGC, 2023 NEC, 2015 IECC, and 2024 ISPSC with Georgia amendments or supplements as applicable.
• Verify contractor license: Georgia Secretary of State - Contractor License FAQ
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• 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

Crawford County Building Permit FAQ

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

Crawford County's land-development regulations make it unlawful to construct, reconstruct, or alter any building or structure without first obtaining a building permit from the Building Official, and to use such building, structure, or land without first obtaining any required occupancy permit. The county fee sheet also states that any owner or authorized agent intending to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, change occupancy, or install or replace regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems must first apply to the building official and obtain the required permit.

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

The minimum permit fee is $300 for additions; $400 for accessory buildings; $500 for commercial plan review up to 5,000 square feet; $600 for buildings up to 9,999 square feet. Fees are calculated as: Square-footage and permit-type based. Buildings up to 9,999 sq ft: $600; 10,000-49,999 sq ft: $1,300; 50,000-99,999 sq ft: $1,800; additions up to 10,000 sq ft: $300 plus $100 per additional 500 sq ft; accessory buildings up to 500 sq ft: $400 plus $100 per additional 500 sq ft; tower fees; acreage-based solar-farm fees.. Plan check fee: $500 for 5,000 sq ft or less; $1,000 for 5,001-10,000 sq ft; $1,500 for 10,001-30,000 sq ft; $2,000 above 30,000 sq ft.

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

1. Confirm the site is in unincorporated Crawford County and check zoning through Crawford County Planning and Zoning 2. Obtain zoning compliance and gather the county's required submittals; zoning form must be submitted to the building department for building permits 3. For dwelling permits, secure Health Department well and septic approval first if applicable 4. Submit the permit application through GeoPermits or the county's fillable permit application and office intake with required plans, deed, plat, and contractor licenses; commercial submittals require site plans, deed, engineer-stamped building plans, and builder and trade licenses 5. Wait for review and issuance; commercial plan review minimum 5 business days 6. Post the issued permit on site and do not begin construction until it is posted 7. Request inspections through the office or GeoPermits with at least 24-hour notice, and only when the work is fully ready 8. Complete final inspection and any required certificate of occupancy before occupancy or qualifying use change

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Crawford County, GA?

Typical processing time is Commercial plan review minimum 5 business days; no separate residential estimate publicly posted.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: , . 24-hour notice required.