On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Brunswick
Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy of a building or structure, or install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems
Ordinary minor repairs made with approval of the Building Official if they do not violate the technical codes
Portable heating appliances
Portable ventilation equipment
Portable cooling units
Steam/hot/chilled water piping within regulated heating or cooling equipment
Replacement parts that do not alter approval or create an unsafe condition
Portable evaporative coolers
Self-contained refrigeration systems with 10 pounds of refrigerant or less and motors of 1 horsepower or less
- Exempt Ordinary minor repairs made with approval of the Building Official if they do not violate the technical codes
- Exempt Portable heating appliances
- Exempt Portable ventilation equipment
- Exempt Portable cooling units
- Exempt Steam/hot/chilled water piping within regulated heating or cooling equipment
- Exempt Replacement parts that do not alter approval or create an unsafe condition
- Exempt Portable evaporative coolers
- Exempt Self-contained refrigeration systems with 10 pounds of refrigerant or less and motors of 1 horsepower or less
Required documents
- Building permit application
- Owner and contractor contact data
- Contractor business license and state license information
- Homeowner permit affidavit if the owner acts as general contractor or subcontractor
- Sealed drawings and PDF plan set
- Recent property survey
- Civil/site/foundation/architectural/structural/trade plans
- JWSC civil sets (where applicable)
- ROW permit (where applicable)
- Certificate of appropriateness (where applicable)
- Conditional use permit (where applicable)
- Erosion/sediment documents (where applicable)
- Building code
- 2024 IRC, 2024 IBC, 2024 IFGC, 2024 IFC, 2024 IMC, 2024 IPC, 2024 ISPSC, 2018 IPMC, 2018 IEBC, and 2026 Georgia Amendments to the 2023 NEC (effective January 1, 2026)
- Permit validity
- Application deemed abandoned if no permit is issued within 6 months after filing unless extended in writing. Issued permits become invalid unless work starts within 6 months, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months after starting. The Building Official may grant written 90-day extensions for cause.
- Owner-builder
- Homeowner's Permit allowed only for the owner's primary residence, not for sale or lease, and not if the owner used a Homeowner's Permit on another residence within the prior 24 months
- Contractor requirements
- No permit shall be issued to anyone other than a properly licensed contractor under Georgia law and Brunswick ordinances; O.C.G.A. 43-41-17 applies to state residential/general contractor licensing
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Submit an online application through the city portal for Building, MEP, Roofing, Demolition, Sign, or Right of Way permits
- 02 City staff reviews the submission and emails the applicant with fees, payment options, and any additional materials needed
- 03 For projects requiring plan review, submit the required application package and plan sets; requests are reviewed weekly by the Development Review Team
- 04 Obtain related approvals such as certificate of appropriateness, conditional use, ROW, JWSC coordination, and erosion and sediment approvals before permitting
- 05 After review completion and payment, the city issues the permit; inspections occur during construction and a certificate of occupancy or completion is issued after final approvals
Source: Planning, Development and Codes Department - Building Permits and Inspections ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Brunswick building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
60
02
Plan check fee
Residential plan review $100; commercial plan review $200; plan re-stamp $50
03
Permit fee formula
New residential and new commercial permits are valuation-based using ICC valuation data: up to $7,000 = $60; $7,001 to $250,000 = $8 per $1,000; $250,001 and over = $2,500 plus $2 per $1,000 over the first $250,000. Renovation of an existing building below $250,000 is $8 per $1,000 of contracted cost, $60 minimum
04
Reinspection fee
1st $35, 2nd $50, 3rd $65
05
Penalty (no permit)
Unpermitted work equal to double the permit fee in addition to any fine imposed; moving in or operating before C/O $500; same-day inspection $50
Staff emails applicants with fees and payment options after application review
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Contact the Permit Office / Permit Technician (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Time windows
Typical sequence: For certificate of occupancy/home occupancy: Planning clearance, JWSC signoffs (if applicable), then building and fire inspection, then certificate pickup when all signatures are complete
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Brunswick permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Brunswick, GA? ▸
Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change occupancy of a building or structure, or install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems
02 How much does a building permit cost in Brunswick, GA? ▸
Building permit fees in Brunswick, GA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is 60. Fees are calculated as: New residential and new commercial permits are valuation-based using ICC valuation data: up to $7,000 = $60; $7,001 to $250,000 = $8 per $1,000; $250,001 and over = $2,500 plus $2 per $1,000 over the first $250,000. Renovation of an existing building below $250,000 is $8 per $1,000 of contracted cost, $60 minimum. Plan check fee: Residential plan review $100; commercial plan review $200; plan re-stamp $50.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Brunswick, GA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Brunswick, GA, follow these steps: 1. Submit an online application through the city portal for Building, MEP, Roofing, Demolition, Sign, or Right of Way permits 2. City staff reviews the submission and emails the applicant with fees, payment options, and any additional materials needed 3. For projects requiring plan review, submit the required application package and plan sets; requests are reviewed weekly by the Development Review Team 4. Obtain related approvals such as certificate of appropriateness, conditional use, ROW, JWSC coordination, and erosion and sediment approvals before permitting 5. After review completion and payment, the city issues the permit; inspections occur during construction and a certificate of occupancy or completion is issued after final approvals
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Brunswick, GA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Brunswick, GA. The following work is generally exempt: Ordinary minor repairs made with approval of the Building Official if they do not violate the technical codes; Portable heating appliances; Portable ventilation equipment; Portable cooling units; Steam/hot/chilled water piping within regulated heating or cooling equipment; Replacement parts that do not alter approval or create an unsafe condition; Portable evaporative coolers; Self-contained refrigeration systems with 10 pounds of refrigerant or less and motors of 1 horsepower or less. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Brunswick, GA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Brunswick, GA via: Contact the Permit Office / Permit Technician.
last verified April 2026
source Planning, Development and Codes Department - Building Permits and Inspections ↗
entry id permits/georgia/glynn/brunswick
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Planning, Development and Codes Department - Building Permits and Inspections before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.