County Building Permits
Grady County, GA - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Grady County, Georgia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated portions of Grady County
- Department
- Grady County Code Enforcement
- Address
- 250 North Broad Street, Cairo, GA 39828
- Phone
- (229) 377-8857
- bharrison@gradyco.org
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Grady County website forms page • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
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Typical processing time: 5 business days for house plan review
Source: Grady County Code Enforcement
General Requirements
County Code Enforcement issues permits required by county building code ordinances. Persons doing any business in the building trades in unincorporated portions of the county must obtain permits. Any building, roof, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, or gas work must be submitted and approved before work begins.
Required Documents
- Building permit application
- Septic tank approval or copy of septic permit
- Recorded deed and plat
- 911 address application
- Site plan showing new house, all structures, and distances from property lines
- House plans for review
- Energy code form
- Dig number
- Separate trade permit applications as applicable
- Contractor registration materials or homeowner affidavit if owner-builder
- Permit validity
- 6 months from issuance or 6 months of suspension/abandonment after commencement
- Building code
- Georgia mandatory state minimum construction codes apply statewide. County issues permits required by county building code ordinances.
- Owner-builder
- Homeowners doing work themselves must submit a homeowner affidavit, speak with Mr. Brian Harrison before starting work, and provide a subcontractor list. County code exempts owner-builders from contractor registration in limited circumstances but permits are still required.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractors must be registered with Grady County before permits are issued. Registration requires picture ID, copy of State of Georgia contractor license if applicable, occupational or business license, and completed contractor application. Specialty contractors making their first application must meet with Mr. Harrison. Georgia state licensure rules apply, including the residential contractor threshold over $2,500.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- 25
- Plan check fee
- 25
- Permit fee formula
- Valuation-based with $25 base fee plus stepped amounts by valuation bracket; trade and specialty permits use flat base fees plus per-connection or per-item charges
- Reinspection fee
- 30
- Payment note
- Payment by check, money order, or cash. No public online building-permit payment portal identified.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Grady County Code Enforcement to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
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- Scheduling deadline
- 24 hours notice required
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Time windows
- Walk-in hours for building official: 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM; Appointments: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Typical inspection sequence: Separate permits for building, roofing, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and gas work. Trade permits must be completed before calling for inspection. No broader county step-by-step inspection sequence publicly posted.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Georgia mandatory state minimum construction codes apply statewide. County issues permits required by county building code ordinances.
- Verify contractor license: Georgia Secretary of State - Contractor Licensing Board
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Grady County Ordinances
- Grady County Main Website
- Georgia State Minimum Construction Codes
- Georgia State Code Enforcement
- Georgia Contractor Licensing Rules
- License lookup guide: Georgia Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Georgia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Georgia hub: Georgia Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Grady County Code Enforcement before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Grady County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Grady County, GA?
- County Code Enforcement issues permits required by county building code ordinances. Persons doing any business in the building trades in unincorporated portions of the county must obtain permits. Any building, roof, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, or gas work must be submitted and approved before work begins.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Grady County, GA?
- The minimum permit fee is 25. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based with $25 base fee plus stepped amounts by valuation bracket; trade and specialty permits use flat base fees plus per-connection or per-item charges. Plan check fee: 25.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Grady County, GA?
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- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Grady County, GA?
- Typical processing time is 5 business days for house plan review.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Grady County, GA?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: . 24 hours notice required.
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