Hart County, GA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies only in unincorporated Hart County. The county does not issue permits for property inside the City of Hartwell or other incorporated municipalities.

Department

Hart County Building Permitting Office

Address

800 Chandler St, Hartwell, GA 30643

Phone

706-376-1468

Email

buildingpermitting@hartcountyga.gov

Website

https://www.hartcountyga.gov/permitting.html

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Hart County. If the parcel is adjacent to Hartwell, the county posts a City of Hartwell exemption certificate for use when needed.
2. Obtain or verify the 911 address and assemble the required submittal documents including the completed permit application, contractor and subcontractor licensing documentation, a recorded plat, scaled construction drawings, a house location plan, addressing verification, and septic or water-sewer approvals where applicable.
3. Submit the permit package to Hart County Building Permitting.
4. Plans and applications are reviewed by Bureau Veritas for new residential construction. Direct all code, plan review, and inspection questions to Bureau Veritas.
5. Pay the permit fee once assessed and receive the issued permit.
6. Schedule required inspections through Bureau Veritas.

Source: Hart County Building Permitting Office

General Requirements

The Building Permitting Office oversees all building and mobile home permits within unincorporated Hart County. All new residential construction requires inspections; other construction, renovations, and outbuildings are permitted as usual.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application
• Contractor and subcontractor license documentation
• GSWCC Level 1A card (where applicable)
• Recorded plat
• Scaled construction drawings
• House location plan
• GSWCC erosion and sediment control plans (where applicable)
• 911 address verification
• Septic inspection or re-evaluation (where applicable)
• Water-sewer approval (where applicable)
• Owner affidavit (if homeowner is acting as contractor)

Building code

County Ordinance Chapter 18 applies. Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes verified as baseline. Code questions directed to Bureau Veritas.

Owner-builder

County checklist references an owner affidavit if the homeowner is acting as contractor

Contractor requirements

County checklist requires contractor and subcontractor licensing documentation. Georgia state residential and general contractor licensing rules apply.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$25.00 for permits other than new residential (unless value added or cost of construction is less than $2,500)

Plan check fee

Not separately posted; county states plans and applications are reviewed by Bureau Veritas

Permit fee formula

New residential permits: $0.20 per heated square foot + $0.10 per unheated square foot + $100.00 per trade. All other permits: $25.00 (unless value added or cost of construction is less than $2,500)

Trade permit fee

$100.00 per trade (included in new residential fee formula)

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Hart County Building Permitting Office to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

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Typical inspection sequence: County page references initial review and required inspections for new residential construction. The posted checklist also references erosion and sediment control phases where applicable.

Additional Resources

• Building code: County Ordinance Chapter 18 applies. Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes verified as baseline. Code questions directed to Bureau Veritas.
• License lookup guide: Georgia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Georgia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Georgia hub: Georgia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Hart County Building Permit FAQ

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

The Building Permitting Office oversees all building and mobile home permits within unincorporated Hart County. All new residential construction requires inspections; other construction, renovations, and outbuildings are permitted as usual.

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

The minimum permit fee is $25.00 for permits other than new residential (unless value added or cost of construction is less than $2,500). Fees are calculated as: New residential permits: $0.20 per heated square foot + $0.10 per unheated square foot + $100.00 per trade. All other permits: $25.00 (unless value added or cost of construction is less than $2,500). Plan check fee: Not separately posted; county states plans and applications are reviewed by Bureau Veritas.

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

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Hart County. If the parcel is adjacent to Hartwell, the county posts a City of Hartwell exemption certificate for use when needed. 2. Obtain or verify the 911 address and assemble the required submittal documents including the completed permit application, contractor and subcontractor licensing documentation, a recorded plat, scaled construction drawings, a house location plan, addressing verification, and septic or water-sewer approvals where applicable. 3. Submit the permit package to Hart County Building Permitting. 4. Plans and applications are reviewed by Bureau Veritas for new residential construction. Direct all code, plan review, and inspection questions to Bureau Veritas. 5. Pay the permit fee once assessed and receive the issued permit. 6. Schedule required inspections through Bureau Veritas.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: .