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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Pickens County
County applications state a permit is required on all new construction, repairs, alterations, and miscellaneous projects.
Note: No single public county exempt-work handout was found. County residential guidelines do publish a land-disturbing exemption for single-family residence construction disturbing less than 1 acre and not part of a larger common plan of development, subject to Georgia law and buffer requirements, but that is not a blanket exemption from building permits.
Required documents
- Completed application
- Contractor state/business/driver licenses if applicable
- Septic permit copy if applicable
- Access/encroachment approval if applicable
- Survey or site plan/plat
- Deed or ownership support where applicable
- HOA/landlord/architectural permission letter if applicable
- Payment
- Trade affidavits and licenses before rough inspection
- Building code
- Pickens County residential guidelines state the state codes and county ordinances control. Directs applicants to the Georgia DCA current state minimum standard codes.
- Permit validity
- Permits expire 12 months from date of issue and expire if work has not begun within 6 months
- Owner-builder
- Owner Building Permit Affidavit allows a property owner to act as general contractor for new construction on owner property intended for owner/family/firm use, not for public use or for sale/lease. If the owner does not personally install electrical, plumbing, or HVAC, properly licensed trade contractors must be hired. Selling within 24 months after certificate of occupancy affects future owner-builder permitting unless the owner is state licensed.
- Contractor requirements
- County guidelines require copies of contractor state, business, and driver licenses if applicable. Trade affidavits require current state and business licenses. Georgia state licensing law applies to residential and general contractors.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Not same day; processed in order received. Inspection requests submitted before 5:00 pm are scheduled for the first available date.
- 01 Obtain septic approval first through Environmental Health if the site is not on sewer
- 02 Obtain an access/encroachment permit if the driveway connects to a county-maintained road; contact GDOT if the driveway connects to a state highway
- 03 Prepare the permit package with completed application, contractor licenses if applicable, septic permit copy, access permit copy if applicable, 8.5 x 11 site plan or plat, deed if recently purchased, any landlord/HOA/architectural board permission letter if applicable, and payment
- 04 Submit the application to Planning & Development; incomplete applications are not accepted
- 05 Post the permit on-site card visibly at the job site once issued and schedule inspections in sequence
- 06 Complete required inspections and submit required affidavits before rough and final approvals
Typical processing time: Not same day; processed in order received. Inspection requests submitted before 5:00 pm are scheduled for the first available date.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Pickens County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$100 for single residential houses/manufactured housing; $200 for commercial; $100 for agricultural; $50 for miscellaneous
02
Plan check fee
Commercial plan review is $150 for buildings under 5,000 square feet and $250 for buildings 5,000 square feet and larger. No separate residential plan review fee was posted.
03
Permit fee formula
Mostly square-foot based by occupancy/type. Examples: single residential heated space $0.22 per square foot and non-heated $0.15 per square foot; commercial heated $0.30 per square foot and non-heated $0.20 per square foot; remodeling/additions $0.20 per square foot; non-heated detached garage and pools $0.10 per square foot.
04
Reinspection fee
$50 each visit
05
Penalty (no permit)
No-permit penalty is double permit fees; renewal permit fee for unexpired permit is $100
Residential guidelines say payment must be included and permits will not be processed after 4:30 pm. County posts PDF applications rather than a general online payment/permit intake portal.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Call Planning & Development at 706-253-8850 (phone)
- For residential inspections, use the online Form Center request at https://www.pickenscountyga.gov/FormCenter/Planning-Development-9/Residential-Building-Inspection-Request-50 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Residential inspection requests received before 5:00 pm are scheduled for the first available date
Typical sequence: Footing; masonry/poured wall; foundation waterproofing and drainage; plumbing in-slab; slab; sheathing; housewrap; rough; insulation/energy code; temp-to-perm power; final
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Pickens County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Pickens County, GA? ▸
County applications state a permit is required on all new construction, repairs, alterations, and miscellaneous projects.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Pickens County, GA? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Pickens County, GA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $100 for single residential houses/manufactured housing; $200 for commercial; $100 for agricultural; $50 for miscellaneous. Fees are calculated as: Mostly square-foot based by occupancy/type. Examples: single residential heated space $0.22 per square foot and non-heated $0.15 per square foot; commercial heated $0.30 per square foot and non-heated $0.20 per square foot; remodeling/additions $0.20 per square foot; non-heated detached garage and pools $0.10 per square foot.. Plan check fee: Commercial plan review is $150 for buildings under 5,000 square feet and $250 for buildings 5,000 square feet and larger. No separate residential plan review fee was posted..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Pickens County, GA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Pickens County, GA, follow these steps: 1. Obtain septic approval first through Environmental Health if the site is not on sewer 2. Obtain an access/encroachment permit if the driveway connects to a county-maintained road; contact GDOT if the driveway connects to a state highway 3. Prepare the permit package with completed application, contractor licenses if applicable, septic permit copy, access permit copy if applicable, 8.5 x 11 site plan or plat, deed if recently purchased, any landlord/HOA/architectural board permission letter if applicable, and payment 4. Submit the application to Planning & Development; incomplete applications are not accepted 5. Post the permit on-site card visibly at the job site once issued and schedule inspections in sequence 6. Complete required inspections and submit required affidavits before rough and final approvals
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Pickens County, GA? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Pickens County, GA typically run Not same day; processed in order received. Inspection requests submitted before 5:00 pm are scheduled for the first available date.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Pickens County, GA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Pickens County, GA via: Call Planning & Development at 706-253-8850, For residential inspections, use the online Form Center request at https://www.pickenscountyga.gov/FormCenter/Planning-Development-9/Residential-Building-Inspection-Request-50. Residential inspection requests received before 5:00 pm are scheduled for the first available date.
last verified April 2026
source Pickens County Planning & Development ↗
entry id permits/georgia/pickens/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Pickens County Planning & Development before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.