County Building Permits
Harris County, GA - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Harris County, Georgia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Harris County Community Development is the county permit authority for unincorporated Harris County and also provides various services to Hamilton, Pine Mountain, and Waverly Hall.
- Department
- Harris County Community Development
- Address
- 125 Barnes Mill Road, Hamilton, GA 31811
- Phone
- 706-628-4700
- aowen@harriscountyga.gov
Application Process
- Identify the correct project checklist on the county permit-requirements page
- Gather all required supporting documents from the county packet for the project type
- Submit through Harris County Community Development; building permit application is completed in the office
- Pull separate electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits if required
- Pay fees after review and permit calculation
- Schedule inspections and obtain final approval
General Requirements
Harris County Community Development issues building construction permits for new residential construction, additions, accessory structures, accessory dwelling units, manufactured housing, demolition, decks, remodels, window replacement, and private residential swimming pools
Required Documents
- Recorded plat or substitute deed/tax map
- Two site plans
- Two sets of complete plans
- Driveway permit
- Sewage management application where applicable
- Erosion/NOI materials where applicable
- Contractor credentials
- Separate trade-permit information where applicable
- Building code
- Georgia state minimum standard construction codes enforced by Harris County. County permit materials also expressly reference the 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code with 2018 Georgia amendments and the 2023 National Electrical Code for pool work.
- Owner-builder
- Owner building and personally performing all electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work on the owner's own home may pull those permits; otherwise those permits must be pulled by Georgia licensed trade contractors
- Contractor requirements
- Georgia residential contractor licensure required for covered work above $2,500 under O.C.G.A. 43-41; county business license or occupation tax certificate required. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits must generally be pulled by Georgia licensed trade contractors.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- 50
- Plan check fee
- Commercial plan review submittal fee is 15 percent of the building permit fee due at initial submittal
- Permit fee formula
- Single-family and multi-family at $0.32 per heated square foot; accessory buildings over 400 square feet at $0.10 per square foot; accessory dwellings at $0.32 per square foot under roof; manufactured housing $300 plus stated preinspection/bond add-ons; commercial and industrial valuation-based at $15 for first $1,000 plus $6 for each additional $1,000 or fraction
- Reinspection fee
- Second inspection $25; each additional inspection $50; double fees for work started before permit issuance
- Payment note
- Credit card convenience fee is $3 minimum for first $100 or 3 percent if over $100. Email: hcpermits@harriscountyga.gov or fax: 706-628-4140
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Harris County Community Development to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- ()
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Typical inspection sequence: Project-specific. County pool packet lists electrical grounding/bonding inspection followed by pool final. Other project types do not have one consolidated public inspection sequence in the sources reviewed.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Georgia state minimum standard construction codes enforced by Harris County. County permit materials also expressly reference the 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code with 2018 Georgia amendments and the 2023 National Electrical Code for pool work.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- County UDC and ordinances
- Permit application
- Credit-card authorization form
- 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 Harris County Community Development before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Harris County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Harris County, GA?
- Harris County Community Development issues building construction permits for new residential construction, additions, accessory structures, accessory dwelling units, manufactured housing, demolition, decks, remodels, window replacement, and private residential swimming pools
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Harris County, GA?
- The minimum permit fee is 50. Fees are calculated as: Single-family and multi-family at $0.32 per heated square foot; accessory buildings over 400 square feet at $0.10 per square foot; accessory dwellings at $0.32 per square foot under roof; manufactured housing $300 plus stated preinspection/bond add-ons; commercial and industrial valuation-based at $15 for first $1,000 plus $6 for each additional $1,000 or fraction. Plan check fee: Commercial plan review submittal fee is 15 percent of the building permit fee due at initial submittal.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Harris County, GA?
- 1. Identify the correct project checklist on the county permit-requirements page 2. Gather all required supporting documents from the county packet for the project type 3. Submit through Harris County Community Development; building permit application is completed in the office 4. Pull separate electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits if required 5. Pay fees after review and permit calculation 6. Schedule inspections and obtain final approval
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Harris County, GA?
- The following work is generally exempt: Detached accessory buildings 400 square feet or less if they meet all county criteria (no human habitation, no toilet facilities, one story max, no more than 100-amp electrical service); Agricultural buildings 800 square feet or less if they otherwise qualify; Decks that are both under 30 inches above grade and not more than 100 square feet in area. Note: No broader county public exempt-work list was found
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Harris County, GA?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: .
Need help with your project?
Navigating permits in Harris County Unincorporated can be complicated.
Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.
Learn how Jaspector works