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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Franklin County
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.
Structures under 150 square feet
Roof replacement (unless structural changes are being made)
- Exempt Structures under 150 square feet
- Exempt Roof replacement (unless structural changes are being made)
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
- Building code
- Latest adopted Georgia-amended IBC, IRC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, IECC, ISPSC, IPMC, IFC, and NEC.
- Permit validity
- Permits become invalid unless work starts within 90 days or if work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months or more.
- 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.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Open the county Building Permit Applications page and enter the SmartGov 'Application for Permits' portal
- 02 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
- 03 Obtain outside approvals where applicable, including septic/environmental health, driveway, floodplain, or addressing items
- 04 County staff reviews the application for zoning and code compliance
- 05 Pay fees before permit issuance; the county fee sheet states fees are collected prior to issuance
- 06 After issuance, post the permit and schedule inspections through SmartGov for permit numbers 2023-100 and later, or by email for older permits
§ 04
Fee schedule
Franklin County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$100.00 (commercial/industrial); residential square-foot based
02
Plan check fee
New single-family and residential renovation review required without separate fee. Commercial/industrial plan review: additional 50% of permit fee.
03
Permit fee formula
Residential: $0.20 per heated square foot and $0.10 per unheated square foot. Commercial and industrial: valuation-based
04
Reinspection fee
$50.00 per added trip
05
Penalty (no permit)
Work without permit: 200% of original permit fee. After-hours inspections: $125 per hour with $250 minimum.
Fees are collected before permit issuance.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 sequence: County page references inspection requests such as footers, rough plumbing, and manufactured-home setup, indicating staged inspections by permit type through final approval.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Franklin County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Franklin County, GA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Franklin County, GA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, GA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, GA, follow these steps: 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
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Franklin County, GA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Franklin County, GA. The following work is generally exempt: Structures under 150 square feet; Roof replacement (unless structural changes are being made). When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Franklin County, GA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Franklin County, GA 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..
last verified April 2026
source Franklin County Building Department ↗
entry id permits/georgia/franklin/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Franklin County Building Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.