Franklin County, GA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies to unincorporated Franklin County only. Incorporated municipalities may use separate city processes.

Department

Franklin County Building Department

Address

141 Athens Street, Carnesville, GA 30521

Phone

706-384-2483

Email

mnorwood@franklincountyga.gov

Website

https://www.franklincountyga.gov/building-department

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Open the county Building Permit Applications page and enter the SmartGov 'Application for Permits' portal
2. Upload the applicable permit packet information and required supporting items, including contractor state licenses and occupational licenses; if trade work is owner-performed, include the homeowner affidavit
3. Obtain outside approvals where applicable, including septic/environmental health, driveway, floodplain, or addressing items
4. County staff reviews the application for zoning and code compliance
5. Pay fees before permit issuance; the county fee sheet states fees are collected prior to issuance
6. After issuance, post the permit and schedule inspections through SmartGov for permit numbers 2023-100 and later, or by email for older permits

Source: Franklin County Building Department

General Requirements

Franklin County UDC section 1702 requires a permit before construction, erection, or moving of any building or structure equal to or greater than 150 square feet, or any addition equal to or greater than 150 square feet. Permits are required for construction, repair, movement, removal, or demolition of buildings or structures, with separate trade permits as applicable.

Required Documents

• Permit application
• Contractor state license and occupational license copies
• Homeowner affidavit when owner-performed trade work is proposed
• Supporting plans/instruction-sheet items for the permit type

Permit validity

Permits become invalid unless work starts within 90 days or if work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months or more.

Building code

Latest adopted Georgia-amended IBC, IRC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IECC, ISPSC, IPMC, IFC, and NEC.

Owner-builder

Homeowner affidavit required when trade work is completed by the homeowner.

Contractor requirements

The county requires copies of general and/or subcontractor state licenses and occupational licenses with building and manufactured-home permit applications. Georgia residential contractor licensing rules apply.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$100.00 (commercial/industrial); residential square-foot based

Plan check fee

New single-family and residential renovation review required without separate fee. Commercial/industrial plan review: additional 50% of permit fee.

Permit fee formula

Residential: $0.20 per heated square foot and $0.10 per unheated square foot. Commercial and industrial: valuation-based

Reinspection fee

$50.00 per added trip

Penalty (no permit)

Work without permit: 200% of original permit fee. After-hours inspections: $125 per hour with $250 minimum.

Payment note

Fees are collected before permit issuance.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Structures under 150 square feet
• Roof replacement (unless structural changes are being made)

Inspections

How to Schedule

• SmartGov portal (for permits 2023-100 and later) (online-account)
• Email (for permits earlier than 2023-100) (email)

Scheduling deadline

Requests received after 2:00 PM can push inspection timing out by an extra business day.

Typical inspection sequence: County page references inspection requests such as footers, rough plumbing, and manufactured-home setup, indicating staged inspections by permit type through final approval.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Latest adopted Georgia-amended IBC, IRC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IECC, ISPSC, IPMC, IFC, and NEC.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Franklin County UDC Ordinance
• Georgia State Codes Adoption History
• License lookup guide: Georgia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Georgia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Georgia hub: Georgia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Franklin County Building Permit FAQ

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

Franklin County UDC section 1702 requires a permit before construction, erection, or moving of any building or structure equal to or greater than 150 square feet, or any addition equal to or greater than 150 square feet. Permits are required for construction, repair, movement, removal, or demolition of buildings or structures, with separate trade permits as applicable.

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

The minimum permit fee is $100.00 (commercial/industrial); residential square-foot based. Fees are calculated as: Residential: $0.20 per heated square foot and $0.10 per unheated square foot. Commercial and industrial: valuation-based. Plan check fee: New single-family and residential renovation review required without separate fee. Commercial/industrial plan review: additional 50% of permit fee..

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

1. Open the county Building Permit Applications page and enter the SmartGov 'Application for Permits' portal 2. Upload the applicable permit packet information and required supporting items, including contractor state licenses and occupational licenses; if trade work is owner-performed, include the homeowner affidavit 3. Obtain outside approvals where applicable, including septic/environmental health, driveway, floodplain, or addressing items 4. County staff reviews the application for zoning and code compliance 5. Pay fees before permit issuance; the county fee sheet states fees are collected prior to issuance 6. After issuance, post the permit and schedule inspections through SmartGov for permit numbers 2023-100 and later, or by email for older permits

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

The following work is generally exempt: Structures under 150 square feet; Roof replacement (unless structural changes are being made).

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: SmartGov portal (for permits 2023-100 and later), Email (for permits earlier than 2023-100). Requests received after 2:00 PM can push inspection timing out by an extra business day..