Unincorporated Monroe County

The county issues permits, reviews construction plans, and performs inspections for all building and trade work for which permits are issued. Covered work includes single-family dwellings, manufactured homes, multi-family, commercial, pole barns, enclosed sheds, garages, pools, tiny houses, barndominiums, carports, additions, accessory dwelling units, renovations, finished basements, porches/decks, signs, fences over 6 feet, and interior alterations. Separate trade permits are required for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work unless otherwise noted by the Community Development Manager.

Note: No public county building-permit exempt-work list was found on the Building Inspections page, the current building application, the building steps sheet, or the planning FAQ reviewed.

Building code

The county administers the State Minimum Codes as adopted by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Statewide mandatory codes include the International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Fire Code, International Plumbing Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fuel Gas Code, National Electrical Code, International Energy Conservation Code, and International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, each with Georgia amendments.

Permit validity

Issued for an initial 180-day term; considered abandoned if work is not commenced within the first 60 days after issuance; may be extended for one additional 180-day period upon written request accepted by the Community Development Manager.

Owner-builder

If the homeowner is building the home and not using a licensed contractor, an Affidavit for Owner Permit must be completed. The county also posts a Homeowner Affidavit form on its building-inspections page.

Contractor requirements

Contractor must provide a copy of business license and state license with the application. Georgia state law requires residential contractors performing work over $2,500 to hold the required state license from the State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors.

1. 01
   If the parcel does not have an assigned address, start with an address-assignment application through Monroe County Planning and Zoning.
2. 02
   Obtain any prerequisite outside approvals (septic, well, driveway permits from respective county departments).
3. 03
   Retrieve the county building and zoning application packet online, by email, or from the Community Development Department.
4. 04
   Complete the packet in full and assemble all required supporting documents; incomplete applications will be rejected.
5. 05
   Submit the application, plans, and attachments to all listed Community Development staff email addresses.
6. 06
   County and contract plan-review staff review the application.
7. 07
   Pay assessed permit fees once determined.
8. 08
   After approval, the permit is issued with the inspection sheet; trade permits, demolition permits, inspections, and certificate-of-occupancy issuance are coordinated through the county building office.

Typical processing time: Residential review 48 hours; commercial plan review 10 days; resubmittals reset review time. Certificate of occupancy available 48 hours after the day following a passed final inspection if timely requested.

Source: Monroe County Building Inspections, within the Monroe County Community Development Department ↗

No public online permit-payment workflow for building permits was identified.

• Building Inspection Requests Form (online)
• Phone (phone)

Scheduling deadline

If no one answers the phone, leave a voicemail with the permit number, address, inspection type, contact information, and any special information for inspectors.

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Time windows

Inspections are next-day call-in; times cannot be scheduled; inspectors cannot call before arrival.

Typical sequence: The county does not publish a single universal inspection matrix on the reviewed public pages. Current materials confirm required building inspections, project inspection sheets issued with permit issuance, trade permits for electrical/plumbing/mechanical work, and a final inspection before certificate of occupancy.