Dawson County, GA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies to unincorporated Dawson County outside Dawsonville city limits

Department

Dawson County Planning and Development

Address

25 Justice Way, Dawsonville, GA 30534

Phone

706-344-3500

Email

inspectionrequests@dawsoncountyga.gov

Website

https://www.dawsoncountyga.gov/343/Building-Permits

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Dawson County and identify the correct permit type
2. Create or use a Citizen Self Service account if submitting online
3. Submit a complete application with all required supporting materials
4. Wait for county review. Complete residential applications have a minimum 4-day review period; commercial projects require a minimum 14-work-day review period for first review
5. Respond to review comments and resubmit corrected stamped plans and hard copies if necessary
6. Pay applicable fees before permit issuance
7. After permit issuance, post the permit at the site, request inspections by email or through the portal, and obtain final approval and Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Completion

Typical processing time: Residential complete applications: minimum 4-day review period. Commercial first reviews: minimum 14 work days

Source: Dawson County Planning and Development

General Requirements

Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy of a building or structure, or install, enlarge, adjust, repair, remove, convert, or replace regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems

Required Documents

• Completed application
• Detailed project plans and specifications
• Proof of ownership
• Site plan
• Contractor license if applicable
• Recorded plat (depending on project)
• Floor plan (depending on project)
• Business license
• Trade affidavits
• Septic tank permit or environmental health letter
• Restroom facilities form
• Public water confirmation
• Proof of taxes paid
• Land disturbance permit number
• Driveway permit

Permit validity

Applications are deemed abandoned after 180 days unless pursued in good faith or extended. Issued permits become invalid unless work begins within 180 days, if work is suspended or abandoned for 180 days, or if 180 days pass without inspections. The building official may grant written extensions of up to 180 days each for justifiable cause

Building code

Dawson County Code Chapter 105 adopts the Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes as adopted and amended by DCA. Standards include the IBC and IRC family with Georgia amendments, 2015 IECC with Georgia amendments, and 2020 NEC with Georgia amendments. County inspection resources page posts 2024 international code changes and 2026 Georgia NEC amendments

Owner-builder

The owner-builder exemption is requested under O.C.G.A. 43-41-17, is limited to property owned by the applicant, is for occupancy solely by the owner and family, firm, or corporation and its employees, not for use by the general public and not offered for sale or lease, and requires direct onsite supervision by the owner

Contractor requirements

All contractors and subcontractors must have a current business registration or signed affidavit associated with permits to receive inspections. County residential application materials require business license, Georgia state contractor license, and electrical, plumbing, and HVAC subcontractor affidavits. Residential contractors performing work over $2,500 must be licensed by the Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Residential building permit minimum $50; residential additions or alterations minimum $40; commercial building permit administrative fee $50 and commercial additions or alterations minimum $50

Plan check fee

Commercial building review fee is $200 up to 5,000 square feet plus $10 per 1,000 square feet; first submittal requires a $400 minimum plan review fee and remaining review fee must be paid before comments are released

Permit fee formula

Primarily square-foot-based plus flat administrative and trade fees. Examples: 1,200 sq ft at $396, 1,800 sq ft at $594, 2,500 sq ft at $825, 3,000 sq ft at $990, 3,500 sq ft at $1,155, 4,000 sq ft at $1,320, over 4,000 sq ft at $0.33 per sq ft plus trade fees. Commercial building at $0.40 per square foot plus administrative and trade fees

Trade permit fee

Included in permit formula

Reinspection fee

$50 reinspection fee for failed inspections; $200 minimum stop work order release fee; permit renewal after 18 months is full charge less paid impact fees

Penalty (no permit)

$200 minimum stop work order release fee

Payment note

County accepts online portal payments, cash, checks, and credit cards. Credit cards carry a 2.5% convenience fee. Payments cannot be processed after 4 p.m. except through the online permit and licensing portal, which is available 24/7

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

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

Inspections

How to Schedule

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Time windows

Inspections are typically conducted within 72 hours of the request

Typical inspection sequence: Preliminary review as needed, lot grading if required, footing and foundation, concrete slab and under-floor, lowest floor elevation in flood areas, framing, lath or gypsum board where applicable, weather-exposed balcony or walking-surface waterproofing where applicable, fire and smoke penetration protection, energy efficiency, final inspection, and flood hazard documentation before final in flood areas. Residential inspections also include rough MEP, rough framing, insulation, temporary power to permanent conversion, and final mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and building inspections

Additional Resources

• Building code: Dawson County Code Chapter 105 adopts the Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes as adopted and amended by DCA. Standards include the IBC and IRC family with Georgia amendments, 2015 IECC with Georgia amendments, and 2020 NEC with Georgia amendments. County inspection resources page posts 2024 international code changes and 2026 Georgia NEC amendments
• Verify contractor license: Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Building Permits Page
• Building Inspections Page
• Commercial Building Plans
• Payments Portal
• Residential Permit Application
• Fee Schedule
• Minimum Standards Update
• Tyler EnerGov Portal
• Georgia Construction Codes
• License lookup guide: Georgia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Georgia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Georgia hub: Georgia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Dawson County Building Permit FAQ

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

Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy of a building or structure, or install, enlarge, adjust, repair, remove, convert, or replace regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems

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

The minimum permit fee is Residential building permit minimum $50; residential additions or alterations minimum $40; commercial building permit administrative fee $50 and commercial additions or alterations minimum $50. Fees are calculated as: Primarily square-foot-based plus flat administrative and trade fees. Examples: 1,200 sq ft at $396, 1,800 sq ft at $594, 2,500 sq ft at $825, 3,000 sq ft at $990, 3,500 sq ft at $1,155, 4,000 sq ft at $1,320, over 4,000 sq ft at $0.33 per sq ft plus trade fees. Commercial building at $0.40 per square foot plus administrative and trade fees. Plan check fee: Commercial building review fee is $200 up to 5,000 square feet plus $10 per 1,000 square feet; first submittal requires a $400 minimum plan review fee and remaining review fee must be paid before comments are released.

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

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Dawson County and identify the correct permit type 2. Create or use a Citizen Self Service account if submitting online 3. Submit a complete application with all required supporting materials 4. Wait for county review. Complete residential applications have a minimum 4-day review period; commercial projects require a minimum 14-work-day review period for first review 5. Respond to review comments and resubmit corrected stamped plans and hard copies if necessary 6. Pay applicable fees before permit issuance 7. After permit issuance, post the permit at the site, request inspections by email or through the portal, and obtain final approval and Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Completion

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

Typical processing time is Residential complete applications: minimum 4-day review period. Commercial first reviews: minimum 14 work days.

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Dawson County, GA?

The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached residential accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses not over 200 square feet; One-story detached accessory structures in commercial or industrial zoning districts not greater than 120 square feet; Fences not over 7 feet high; Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height unless supporting a surcharge or impounding specified liquids; Water tanks supported directly on grade up to 5,000 gallons with qualifying height-to-width ratio; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade, not over any basement or story below, and not part of an accessible route; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep and installed entirely above ground; Shade cloth structures for nursery or agricultural purposes, excluding service systems; Swings and other traditional playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings; Window awnings in Group R-3 and U occupancies meeting code limits; Non-fixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high; Buildings and structures specifically regulated and preempted by the federal government; Temporary buildings or sheds used exclusively for construction purposes; Mobile or modular structures used as temporary offices, subject to accessibility requirements; Electric-utility structures directly involved in generating, transmitting, or distributing electricity; Temporary sets, assemblies, or structures used in commercial motion picture or television production and sound recording equipment; Minor electrical repair work such as replacing lamps or connecting approved portable equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles; Temporary systems used to test or service electrical equipment or apparatus; Portable heating appliances; certain minor gas replacements; portable ventilation equipment; portable cooling units; certain piping within heating or cooling equipment; replacement of parts that do not alter approval or safety; portable evaporative coolers; and qualifying self-contained refrigeration systems; Limited plumbing repairs such as stopping leaks, clearing stoppages, repairing leaks in pipes, valves, or fixtures, and removing and reinstalling water closets, so long as the work does not require replacing concealed piping or rearranging valves, pipes, or fixtures.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: , .