Floyd County, GA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Permits for construction in unincorporated Floyd County are issued by the Rome-Floyd County Inspections Department. Separate county offices handle planning, zoning, engineering, driveway, septic, floodplain, and utility prerequisites depending on project scope.

Department

Rome-Floyd County Building Inspection Department

Address

607 Broad Street, Rome, GA 30162

Phone

706-236-4480

Email

jfranks@romega.us , sroberson@romega.us (residential , remodel , roof , MEP) , jmartin@romega.us , mhebert@romega.us (commercial)

Website

https://www.floydcountyga.gov/faqs?field_tags_tid=821

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Floyd County rather than Rome or Cave Spring
2. Obtain prerequisite county approvals as applicable. County residential checklist directs applicants to Floyd County Engineering for driveway matters, Floyd County Health Department for septic approval, and Rome-Floyd Planning for zoning verification. Land-disturbance packet also references county engineering and other agency approvals.
3. Prepare the permit package using Rome-Floyd residential, remodel, commercial, land-disturbance, MEP, and other permit forms
4. Submit by the route shown on the form (residential/remodel/roof/MEP to jfranks@romega.us and sroberson@romega.us; commercial to jmartin@romega.us and mhebert@romega.us; in-person at 607 Broad Street)
5. Wait for review. Some simple jobs may be permitted during first visit; most projects require more time for plan review. Commercial materials indicate review does not begin until all applicable items are provided.
6. Pay fees at application (work started before permit is charged at double fee)
7. Request inspections with at least 24-hour notice and complete final inspections before occupancy or closeout

Typical processing time: Some simple jobs may be permitted during first visit; zoning verification 24 to 48 hours if not same day; no broader county-specific permit turnaround posted

Source: Rome-Floyd County Building Inspection Department

General Requirements

Building permits for new construction, additions, alterations, remodels, tenant improvements, gazebos, patio covers, decks, house moves, most retaining walls, fences over 7 feet, repairs to residential and nonresidential structures; separate electrical, plumbing, mechanical, demolition, and reroof permits

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 plans)
• Zoning verification
• Septic or sewer approvals
• Other agency approvals (as applicable)
• County engineering sign-off for driveway matters (residential county applicants)

Permit validity

6 months from issue date; construction must begin within 6 months from issue date (land-disturbance)

Building code

Floyd County older FAQ pages list 2018 International codes, 2015 IECC, and 2020 NEC. Newer Rome Building FAQ page (March 2026) expressly states City of Rome and Floyd County use 2024 International Building, Residential, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, and Plumbing Codes, 2015 Energy Code, and 2023 National Electrical Code, with Georgia amendments. Newer Rome joint source is the better current reference.

Owner-builder

Home Owner Affidavit requires property to be a single residence that is or will be the owner's residence and not used for rental or commercial purposes. Owner assumes responsibility of a licensed contractor.

Contractor requirements

Contractor information and trade-license details required before permits issued. MEP forms require copy of state license and business license. Georgia residential-contractor licensing rules apply above $2,500.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Building permit $65 (valuation $100-$500); Plumbing permit $45; Mechanical permit $50 (base); Demolition permit $98

Plan check fee

Commercial building plan review fee is 10% of permit cost; Land-disturbance plan-review resubmittal is $50

Permit fee formula

Mixed valuation, square-foot, flat-fee, and unit-fee schedule depending on permit type. New buildings use valuation data multiplied by square footage with 0.006 permit-fee multiplier. Remodels use valuation schedule. Trade permits and ancillary permits use separate line items.

Reinspection fee

$60; Work started before permit issuance charged at double fee

Penalty (no permit)

Double fee for work started before permit issuance

Payment note

Schedule states fees are paid at application. No county-only online payment portal for building permits publicly identified.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Rome-Floyd County Building Inspection Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

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Scheduling deadline

At least 24-hour notice required

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Published 1 and 2 family sequence: footing, underslab plumbing, slab, basement wall, foundation, floor joist, sheathing, rough-ins for plumbing, electrical, HVAC, gas and fireplaces, framing, electrical meter, gas service, driveway pipe, and final inspections

Additional Resources

• Building code: Floyd County older FAQ pages list 2018 International codes, 2015 IECC, and 2020 NEC. Newer Rome Building FAQ page (March 2026) expressly states City of Rome and Floyd County use 2024 International Building, Residential, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, and Plumbing Codes, 2015 Energy Code, and 2023 National Electrical Code, with Georgia amendments. Newer Rome joint source is the better current reference.
• Verify contractor license: Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• License lookup guide: Georgia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Georgia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Georgia hub: Georgia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Floyd County Building Permit FAQ

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

Building permits for new construction, additions, alterations, remodels, tenant improvements, gazebos, patio covers, decks, house moves, most retaining walls, fences over 7 feet, repairs to residential and nonresidential structures; separate electrical, plumbing, mechanical, demolition, and reroof permits

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

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 valuation, square-foot, flat-fee, and unit-fee schedule depending on permit type. New buildings use valuation data multiplied by square footage with 0.006 permit-fee multiplier. Remodels use valuation schedule. Trade permits and ancillary permits use separate line items.. Plan check fee: Commercial building plan review fee is 10% of permit cost; Land-disturbance plan-review resubmittal is $50.

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

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Floyd County rather than Rome or Cave Spring 2. Obtain prerequisite county approvals as applicable. County residential checklist directs applicants to Floyd County Engineering for driveway matters, Floyd County Health Department for septic approval, and Rome-Floyd Planning for zoning verification. Land-disturbance packet also references county engineering and other agency approvals. 3. Prepare the permit package using Rome-Floyd residential, remodel, commercial, land-disturbance, MEP, and other permit forms 4. Submit by the route shown on the form (residential/remodel/roof/MEP to jfranks@romega.us and sroberson@romega.us; commercial to jmartin@romega.us and mhebert@romega.us; in-person at 607 Broad Street) 5. Wait for review. Some simple jobs may be permitted during first visit; most projects require more time for plan review. Commercial materials indicate review does not begin until all applicable items are provided. 6. Pay fees at application (work started before permit is charged at double fee) 7. Request inspections with at least 24-hour notice and complete final inspections before occupancy or closeout

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

Typical processing time is Some simple jobs may be permitted during first visit; zoning verification 24 to 48 hours if not same day; no broader county-specific permit turnaround posted.

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Floyd County, 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) up to 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.

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

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