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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Rome
New construction, additions, alterations, remodels, tenant improvements, gazebos, patio covers, decks, house moves, most retaining walls, fences over 7 feet, repairs to structures, demolition, electrical work, mechanical and gas work, plumbing work, reroofing
Retaining walls or planter boxes no more than 4 feet high (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall) that do not support another structure, fence, or additional loads
Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
Single-story detached residential accessory buildings (tool sheds, playhouses) not exceeding 200 square feet with no plumbing or electricity
Interior or exterior painting
Installing draperies or blinds
Installing carpeting or resilient floor covering
Building or installing movable counters, cases, or partitions
Building uncovered concrete patios
- Exempt Retaining walls or planter boxes no more than 4 feet high (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall) that do not support another structure, fence, or additional loads
- Exempt Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
- Exempt Single-story detached residential accessory buildings (tool sheds, playhouses) not exceeding 200 square feet with no plumbing or electricity
- Exempt Interior or exterior painting
- Exempt Installing draperies or blinds
- Exempt Installing carpeting or resilient floor covering
- Exempt Building or installing movable counters, cases, or partitions
- Exempt Building uncovered concrete patios
Required documents
- Site plan
- Foundation plan
- Floor plan
- Roof framing plan
- Cross sections
- Exterior elevations
- Energy calculations (where conditioned space is added)
- Structural calculations (when required)
- Statement of special inspections (commercial work)
- Zoning verification
- Utility and septic approvals (where applicable)
- Contractor information
- Sediment barriers and construction entrance locations (residential)
- Building code
- 2024 International Building, Residential, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, and Plumbing Codes; 2015 Energy Code; 2023 National Electrical Code; Georgia amendments; local criteria: 115 mph wind, 12-inch frost depth, 8 psf ground snow load, 1500 psf soil bearing, Seismic Design Category C
- Permit validity
- 6 months from issue date
- Owner-builder
- Limited to a single residence that is or will be the owner's place of residence and not used for rental or commercial purposes. Owner certifies familiarity with applicable codes and assumes responsibility of a licensed contractor.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractor information, trade contractor state card numbers required. For MEP permits, copy of state license and business license required. Georgia state law: residential contractors performing work over $2,500 must be licensed by the Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Some simple jobs may be permitted during the first visit; zoning verification 24 to 48 hours if not completed same day; commercial materials indicate review does not begin until all required items are provided
- 01 Confirm the project is inside Rome city limits and identify permit type on the Building Inspection page or Rome Building FAQs
- 02 Obtain any prerequisite development approvals (zoning verification, driveway or engineering review, erosion and sediment control, flood-zone review, fire marshal approval, private utility or Health Department approvals as applicable)
- 03 Prepare the permit package according to project type (site plan, setbacks, sediment barriers, construction entrance details, septic or sewer documentation, minimum building plans for residential; zoning verification, fire marshal approval, utility approvals, building plans, structural and code data, energy compliance, special inspections for commercial)
- 04 Submit the application package via email to appropriate department contacts or in-person at 607 Broad Street
- 05 Wait for intake and review (simple jobs may be permitted on first visit; most require plan review)
- 06 Pay fees at application
- 07 After permit issuance, post the permit, request inspections, and complete required finals before occupancy or closeout
Typical processing time: Some simple jobs may be permitted during the first visit; zoning verification 24 to 48 hours if not completed same day; commercial materials indicate review does not begin until all required items are provided
§ 04
Fee schedule
Rome building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Building permit $65 (valuation $100-$500); Plumbing permit $45; Mechanical permit $50 (base); Demolition permit $98
02
Plan check fee
Commercial building plan review fee is 10% of permit cost; Land-disturbance plan review resubmittal is $50
03
Permit fee formula
Mixed: New buildings use valuation multiplied by square footage with 0.006 permit-fee multiplier; Remodels follow valuation schedule; MEP, pool, demolition, sign, land-disturbance use flat or unit-based schedules
04
Reinspection fee
$60; Work started before permit issuance charged at double fee
05
Penalty (no permit)
Double fee for work started before permit issuance
Fees due when applying for permit. Mailed checks to Building Inspection, P.O. Box 1433, Rome, GA 30162.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Call Building Inspection at 706-236-4480 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- At least 24-hour notice required
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Typical sequence: 1 and 2 family sequence: footing, underslab plumbing, slab, basement wall, foundation, floor joist, sheathing, rough-in inspections (plumbing, electrical, HVAC, gas lines, fireplaces), framing, electrical meter, gas service, driveway pipe, and final inspections for certificate of occupancy
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Rome permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Rome, GA? ▸
New construction, additions, alterations, remodels, tenant improvements, gazebos, patio covers, decks, house moves, most retaining walls, fences over 7 feet, repairs to structures, demolition, electrical work, mechanical and gas work, plumbing work, reroofing
02 How much does a building permit cost in Rome, GA? ▸
Building permit fees in Rome, GA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Building permit $65 (valuation $100-$500); Plumbing permit $45; Mechanical permit $50 (base); Demolition permit $98. Fees are calculated as: Mixed: New buildings use valuation multiplied by square footage with 0.006 permit-fee multiplier; Remodels follow valuation schedule; MEP, pool, demolition, sign, land-disturbance use flat or unit-based schedules. Plan check fee: Commercial building plan review fee is 10% of permit cost; Land-disturbance plan review resubmittal is $50.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Rome, GA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Rome, GA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the project is inside Rome city limits and identify permit type on the Building Inspection page or Rome Building FAQs 2. Obtain any prerequisite development approvals (zoning verification, driveway or engineering review, erosion and sediment control, flood-zone review, fire marshal approval, private utility or Health Department approvals as applicable) 3. Prepare the permit package according to project type (site plan, setbacks, sediment barriers, construction entrance details, septic or sewer documentation, minimum building plans for residential; zoning verification, fire marshal approval, utility approvals, building plans, structural and code data, energy compliance, special inspections for commercial) 4. Submit the application package via email to appropriate department contacts or in-person at 607 Broad Street 5. Wait for intake and review (simple jobs may be permitted on first visit; most require plan review) 6. Pay fees at application 7. After permit issuance, post the permit, request inspections, and complete required finals before occupancy or closeout
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Rome, GA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Rome, GA typically run Some simple jobs may be permitted during the first visit; zoning verification 24 to 48 hours if not completed same day; commercial materials indicate review does not begin until all required items are provided. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Rome, GA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Rome, GA. The following work is generally exempt: Retaining walls or planter boxes no more than 4 feet high (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall) that do not support another structure, fence, or additional loads; Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep; Single-story detached residential accessory buildings (tool sheds, playhouses) not exceeding 200 square feet with no plumbing or electricity; Interior or exterior painting; Installing draperies or blinds; Installing carpeting or resilient floor covering; Building or installing movable counters, cases, or partitions; Building uncovered concrete patios. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Rome, GA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Rome, GA via: Call Building Inspection at 706-236-4480. At least 24-hour notice required.
last verified April 2026
source Rome-Floyd County Building Inspection Department ↗
entry id permits/georgia/floyd/rome
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Rome-Floyd County Building Inspection Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.