Henry County, GA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Henry County Building and Plan Review issues permits and performs plan review for unincorporated Henry County. Incorporated cities may have separate city permit authority.

Department

Building and Plan Review Department, Henry County

Address

90 Ronnie Stewart Drive, McDonough, GA 30253

Phone

770-288-6051

Email

BPR@henrycountyga.gov

Website

https://www.henrycountyga.gov/263/Building-Plan-Review-Department

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Create or log into a SagesGov account and start the applicable permit application for the unincorporated county.
2. Upload the required application materials, plans, checklists, and affidavits. The county portal posts a New Home Checklist and Forms package and an Accessory Structures, Pools, Additions and Renovations Checklist and Forms package.
3. If the applicant name in SagesGov differs from the state contractor license name, submit the county authorized agent form. If applying as an owner-builder, submit the homeowner builder affidavit.
4. After submission, county intake reviews the application. The portal states applications submitted after 5:00 p.m. are processed on the next business day and intake may take up to 5 business days.
5. Once intake is complete, the county posts the plan review fee. After that fee is paid, the project is accepted for review and routed to the Planning and Zoning Division and the Building and Plan Review Department.
6. The portal states Planning and Zoning and Building and Plan Review each have 10 business days to review.
7. If the plans are disapproved, revise and resubmit through SagesGov. The county states the review cycle restarts upon resubmittal.
8. When all reviews are approved, the Permit Coordinator adds the remaining permit fees. Pay the balance online through SagesGov.
9. Receive the issued permit and complete required inspections. If a residential land disturbance permit is required, the county states ES and PC approval must be completed before the residential building permit can be issued.

Typical processing time: Intake may take up to 5 business days. After intake and payment of the plan review fee, Planning and Zoning and Building and Plan Review each have 10 business days to review.

Source: Building and Plan Review Department, Henry County

General Requirements

The county portal provides permit pathways for new homes, accessory structures, pools, additions, renovations, and separate plumbing, electrical, and HVAC permits. Separate trade permits are required after the building permit is issued.

Required Documents

• Permit application
• Plan sets
• County checklists
• Zoning compliance checklist
• Homeowner builder affidavit if owner-builder
• Authorized agent form if applicable
• Contractor credential information

Building code

Henry County states it enforces the Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes. A county portal notice states new mandatory Georgia codes with amendments took effect January 1, 2026.

Owner-builder

The county portal posts a Homeowner Builder Affidavit for owner-builder applications.

Contractor requirements

Georgia state contractor licensing requirements apply. The county portal states that if the SagesGov account name and the contractor license name do not match, an authorized agent form is required. Separate trade permits are also required for licensed trade work.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$75 for all permits

Plan check fee

The portal states the county adds the plan review fee after intake, and review does not begin until that fee is paid.

Permit fee formula

Permit and plan review fees are assessed through the county review workflow in SagesGov and vary by permit type and scope.

Payment note

Henry County states it no longer accepts payments over the counter or by mail. All permit payments must be made through SagesGov.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Building and Plan Review Department, Henry County to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Through Henry County permit processes (online)

Typical inspection sequence: County workflow generally follows permit issuance, required building and trade inspections as work progresses, and final inspection or approval at project completion. The county provides separate residential inspection guidance.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Henry County states it enforces the Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes. A county portal notice states new mandatory Georgia codes with amendments took effect January 1, 2026.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Residential Inspections
• SagesGov Portal
• License lookup guide: Georgia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Georgia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Georgia hub: Georgia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Henry County Building Permit FAQ

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

The county portal provides permit pathways for new homes, accessory structures, pools, additions, renovations, and separate plumbing, electrical, and HVAC permits. Separate trade permits are required after the building permit is issued.

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

The minimum permit fee is $75 for all permits. Fees are calculated as: Permit and plan review fees are assessed through the county review workflow in SagesGov and vary by permit type and scope.. Plan check fee: The portal states the county adds the plan review fee after intake, and review does not begin until that fee is paid..

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

1. Create or log into a SagesGov account and start the applicable permit application for the unincorporated county. 2. Upload the required application materials, plans, checklists, and affidavits. The county portal posts a New Home Checklist and Forms package and an Accessory Structures, Pools, Additions and Renovations Checklist and Forms package. 3. If the applicant name in SagesGov differs from the state contractor license name, submit the county authorized agent form. If applying as an owner-builder, submit the homeowner builder affidavit. 4. After submission, county intake reviews the application. The portal states applications submitted after 5:00 p.m. are processed on the next business day and intake may take up to 5 business days. 5. Once intake is complete, the county posts the plan review fee. After that fee is paid, the project is accepted for review and routed to the Planning and Zoning Division and the Building and Plan Review Department. 6. The portal states Planning and Zoning and Building and Plan Review each have 10 business days to review. 7. If the plans are disapproved, revise and resubmit through SagesGov. The county states the review cycle restarts upon resubmittal. 8. When all reviews are approved, the Permit Coordinator adds the remaining permit fees. Pay the balance online through SagesGov. 9. Receive the issued permit and complete required inspections. If a residential land disturbance permit is required, the county states ES and PC approval must be completed before the residential building permit can be issued.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Henry County, GA?

Typical processing time is Intake may take up to 5 business days. After intake and payment of the plan review fee, Planning and Zoning and Building and Plan Review each have 10 business days to review..

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Through Henry County permit processes.