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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Floyd County
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
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
- 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) up to 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 plans)
- Zoning verification
- Septic or sewer approvals
- Other agency approvals (as applicable)
- County engineering sign-off for driveway matters (residential county applicants)
- 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.
- Permit validity
- 6 months from issue date; construction must begin within 6 months from issue date (land-disturbance)
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: 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
- 01 Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Floyd County rather than Rome or Cave Spring
- 02 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.
- 03 Prepare the permit package using Rome-Floyd residential, remodel, commercial, land-disturbance, MEP, and other permit forms
- 04 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)
- 05 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.
- 06 Pay fees at application (work started before permit is charged at double fee)
- 07 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
§ 04
Fee schedule
Floyd County 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 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.
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
Schedule states fees are paid at application. No county-only online payment portal for building permits publicly identified.
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; published 1 and 2 family procedures state all inspections scheduled through Building Inspection office (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- At least 24-hour notice required
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Typical 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
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Floyd County permits
01 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
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Floyd County, GA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Floyd County, 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 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.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Floyd County, GA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Floyd County, GA, follow these steps: 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
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Floyd County, GA? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Floyd County, GA typically run 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. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Floyd County, GA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Floyd County, GA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Floyd County, GA via: Call Building Inspection at 706-236-4480; published 1 and 2 family procedures state all inspections scheduled through Building Inspection office. At least 24-hour notice required.
last verified April 2026
source Rome-Floyd County Building Inspection Department ↗
entry id permits/georgia/floyd/unincorporated
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.