Long County, GA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

The Long County-City of Ludowici Land Development Code states that permits issued by the Building Official apply in unincorporated areas of Long County as well as in the city. This is the countywide building-permit authority publicly posted for areas outside Ludowici.

Department

Long County Code Enforcement Office

Address

468 S McDonald St, Ludowici, GA 31316

Phone

(912) 545-3683

Email

codeenforcement@longcountyga.gov

Website

https://www.longcountyga.gov/code-enforcement

Application Process

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Long County rather than inside Ludowici.
2. Download the county building permit application from the Code Enforcement page.
3. Complete the application with parcel, zoning/use, structure type, square footage, utility, owner, and contractor information, including license numbers for listed trades.
4. Prepare two sets of plans or blueprints and specifications. For a new building or addition, also prepare a lot plan showing the area to be built on and proof of a licensed survey or lot stakes set from that survey.
5. Complete the tax-verification page included in the permit packet. The published form says no application may be processed without verification of paid property taxes for the parcel and confirmation of the map and parcel number.
6. Submit the application packet to the Long County Code Enforcement Office and wait for permit issuance before starting work.
7. Pay the required fee before issuance. The code states all permit fees are non-refundable.
8. Call or email the code office to coordinate required inspections during construction.
9. Obtain the Certificate of Occupancy before occupancy or permanent electrical service. For new homes, the posted packet says a blower door test and final inspection are required before CO issuance.

Source: Long County Code Enforcement Office

General Requirements

The land development code requires a permit before constructing, altering, repairing, removing, or demolishing a building, swimming pool, manufactured home, or structure. It also states permits are required for all new construction, alterations, and repairs.

Required Documents

• Building permit application
• Owner and contractor details
• Tax verification and parcel verification page
• Two sets of plans or blueprints and specifications
• Lot plan and survey evidence for new buildings and additions
• Contractor license information as requested by the form

Permit validity

Work must begin within 180 days of permit issuance under the land development code. The posted application states the permit becomes invalid unless work begins within six months after approval.

Building code

The local code adopts by reference the latest Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes as adopted and amended by DCA. DCA's current code page lists the current statewide construction-code baseline, including the 2024 IBC, 2024 IRC, 2024 IMC, 2024 IPC, 2024 IFGC, 2024 ISPSC, 2023 NEC, and 2015 IECC with Georgia amendments or supplements where applicable. The local code also references the International Property Maintenance Code and International Existing Building Code.

Owner-builder

Applications may be made by the owner or the owner's agent. Georgia Secretary of State FAQ guidance says a person may build his or her own home without a state contractor license, subject to compliance with local codes and regulations. No separate county owner-builder affidavit was located.

Contractor requirements

The county form requests contractor license numbers and states the permit becomes invalid if the applicant fails to comply with license requirements. Under O.C.G.A. 43-41-2, Georgia residential contractor licensure applies when the total value of covered residential work exceeds $2,500.00.

Fees

Plan check fee

No separate ordinary building plan-check line item was posted. The schedule does include design review fees for some development categories.

Permit fee formula

Mostly flat fees by project type plus some square-foot or acreage-based formulas. Examples include $2,000.00 for new homes, $200.00 for inground pools, $100.00 for sheds/utility buildings, $1,000.00 for mobile-home relocation permits, and tiered fees for commercial, subdivision, multifamily, and solar work.

Reinspection fee

$50.00

Penalty (no permit)

$500.00 per day for building without permit, $1,000.00 for moving in without a CO, and building-regulation/no-inspection violation fines from $250.00 up to $1,000.00.

Payment note

Permit fees must be paid before issuance and are non-refundable under the land development code. No public online permit payment portal was identified.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Non-illuminated signs smaller than six square feet on each side

Important: No general public exempt-work list for county building permits was located. One explicit local exemption located in the posted code is for non-illuminated signs smaller than six square feet on each side, which are exempt from sign permits or regulation.

Inspections

How to Schedule

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Inspection hours

Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Friday closed

Typical inspection sequence: New homes: slab/footer, cover up, temporary power, permanent power, final. Additions/sheds/renovations with power or plumbing: slab/footer if applicable, cover up, permanent power, final. Other buildings with no power or plumbing: slab/footer if applicable, final.

No public online inspection scheduler was located. The county directs permit and inspection questions to the code office by phone or email. The permit packet also lists fax number. Inspections will not be conducted until required restroom facilities and debris containers are provided on site.

Additional Resources

• Building code: The local code adopts by reference the latest Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes as adopted and amended by DCA. DCA's current code page lists the current statewide construction-code baseline, including the 2024 IBC, 2024 IRC, 2024 IMC, 2024 IPC, 2024 IFGC, 2024 ISPSC, 2023 NEC, and 2015 IECC with Georgia amendments or supplements where applicable. The local code also references the International Property Maintenance Code and International Existing Building Code.
• Verify contractor license: Georgia Secretary of State Contractor FAQ
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• License lookup guide: Georgia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Georgia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Georgia hub: Georgia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Long County Building Permit FAQ

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

The land development code requires a permit before constructing, altering, repairing, removing, or demolishing a building, swimming pool, manufactured home, or structure. It also states permits are required for all new construction, alterations, and repairs.

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

Fees are calculated as: Mostly flat fees by project type plus some square-foot or acreage-based formulas. Examples include $2,000.00 for new homes, $200.00 for inground pools, $100.00 for sheds/utility buildings, $1,000.00 for mobile-home relocation permits, and tiered fees for commercial, subdivision, multifamily, and solar work.. Plan check fee: No separate ordinary building plan-check line item was posted. The schedule does include design review fees for some development categories..

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

1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Long County rather than inside Ludowici. 2. Download the county building permit application from the Code Enforcement page. 3. Complete the application with parcel, zoning/use, structure type, square footage, utility, owner, and contractor information, including license numbers for listed trades. 4. Prepare two sets of plans or blueprints and specifications. For a new building or addition, also prepare a lot plan showing the area to be built on and proof of a licensed survey or lot stakes set from that survey. 5. Complete the tax-verification page included in the permit packet. The published form says no application may be processed without verification of paid property taxes for the parcel and confirmation of the map and parcel number. 6. Submit the application packet to the Long County Code Enforcement Office and wait for permit issuance before starting work. 7. Pay the required fee before issuance. The code states all permit fees are non-refundable. 8. Call or email the code office to coordinate required inspections during construction. 9. Obtain the Certificate of Occupancy before occupancy or permanent electrical service. For new homes, the posted packet says a blower door test and final inspection are required before CO issuance.

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Long County, GA?

The following work is generally exempt: Non-illuminated signs smaller than six square feet on each side. Note: No general public exempt-work list for county building permits was located. One explicit local exemption located in the posted code is for non-illuminated signs smaller than six square feet on each side, which are exempt from sign permits or regulation.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: , , .