County Building Permits
Paulding County, GA - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Paulding County, Georgia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Applies to unincorporated Paulding County. The county building page states the division issues permits for all uses, and the service delivery strategy assigns county building permit service to unincorporated Paulding County.
- Department
- Building & Permitting Division, Paulding County Community Development Department
- Address
- 240 Constitution Boulevard, First Floor, Dallas, GA 30132
- Phone
- 770-443-7571
Application Process
- Select the correct county application from the Building & Permitting Documents & Forms page.
- Complete the application and assemble plans, contractor information, and any trade-specific or project-specific forms.
- Submit the application package to the county Building & Permitting Division. Non-residential and multifamily permits follow the county approval routing and plan review procedure.
- Pay county-assessed permit fees.
- Receive the issued permit.
- Schedule all required inspections with county building inspectors and complete any required certificate of occupancy routing for commercial work.
Typical processing time: No standard public turnaround was located on the reviewed county pages.
Source: Building & Permitting Division, Paulding County Community Development Department
General Requirements
The county issues building, electrical, heating and air-conditioning, and plumbing permits for residential, commercial, and industrial work. County FAQ states permits are required for deck construction, basement finishes, retaining walls over four feet, and above-ground pools.
Required Documents
- County permit application
- Construction plans
- Project-specific supporting documents
- Contractor credentials
- Contractor sheet and related affidavits
- Building code
- The county provides technical guidance on adopted building, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and other codes. Current codes include 2024 IBC, 2024 IRC, 2024 IPC, 2024 IMC, 2024 IFGC, 2024 ISPSC, and 2023 NEC with Georgia amendments effective January 1, 2026.
- Owner-builder
- The county states there are exceptions to contractor licensing requirements when a homeowner performs work on their own home. It also publishes a permit authorization affidavit for cases where someone other than the homeowner pulls permits.
- Contractor requirements
- The county FAQ states that generally a Georgia contractor's license is required and the county enforces Georgia state contractor licensing laws.
Fees
- Plan check fee
- Non-residential and multifamily procedure materials state applicants should contact the Building & Permitting Division for associated plan review fees.
- Permit fee formula
- Residential master permit fees are based on heated square footage and estimated value of construction using the county's published valuation table. Other permit types use separate county forms and fee schedules.
- Payment note
- Contact the Building & Permitting Division for payment instructions; no public online county building permit payment workflow was located on the reviewed building pages.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Roofing or siding replacement when no structural work is performed
- Fences not more than six feet tall
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 770-505-1398 (phone)
- bldginspections@paulding.gov (email)
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Typical inspection sequence: Applicable inspections are conducted for all permits issued; commercial final inspections require the county certificate of occupancy approval sheet and fire marshal report.
Additional Resources
- Building code: The county provides technical guidance on adopted building, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and other codes. Current codes include 2024 IBC, 2024 IRC, 2024 IPC, 2024 IMC, 2024 IFGC, 2024 ISPSC, and 2023 NEC with Georgia amendments effective January 1, 2026.
- Verify contractor license: Georgia DCA Contractor Resources
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Paulding County Building & Permitting
- Paulding County Documents & Forms
- Paulding County FAQ
- Paulding County Service Delivery Agreement
- Georgia Current State Minimum Codes
- 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 Building & Permitting Division, Paulding County Community Development Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Paulding County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Paulding County, GA?
- The county issues building, electrical, heating and air-conditioning, and plumbing permits for residential, commercial, and industrial work. County FAQ states permits are required for deck construction, basement finishes, retaining walls over four feet, and above-ground pools.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Paulding County, GA?
- Fees are calculated as: Residential master permit fees are based on heated square footage and estimated value of construction using the county's published valuation table. Other permit types use separate county forms and fee schedules.. Plan check fee: Non-residential and multifamily procedure materials state applicants should contact the Building & Permitting Division for associated plan review fees..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Paulding County, GA?
- 1. Select the correct county application from the Building & Permitting Documents & Forms page. 2. Complete the application and assemble plans, contractor information, and any trade-specific or project-specific forms. 3. Submit the application package to the county Building & Permitting Division. Non-residential and multifamily permits follow the county approval routing and plan review procedure. 4. Pay county-assessed permit fees. 5. Receive the issued permit. 6. Schedule all required inspections with county building inspectors and complete any required certificate of occupancy routing for commercial work.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Paulding County, GA?
- Typical processing time is No standard public turnaround was located on the reviewed county pages..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Paulding County, GA?
- The following work is generally exempt: Roofing or siding replacement when no structural work is performed; Fences not more than six feet tall.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Paulding County, GA?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: 770-505-1398, bldginspections@paulding.gov.
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