On this page 5
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Rabun County
The county's public building permit packet and new construction checklist require a building permit from Rabun County Planning and Zoning before new construction in unincorporated Rabun County.
Note: No public Rabun County exempt-work list for ordinary building permits was found in the reviewed county materials.
Required documents
- Building permit packet
- Plat showing house location
- Septic approval if applicable
- Driveway permit if on a county road
- Erosion-control information
- Soil erosion and sedimentation plan if over 1 disturbed acre
- DNR and FEMA compliance materials as applicable
- 911 address assignment
- Homeowner affidavit when using the county homeowner route
- Building code
- Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes administered by DCA. No separate Rabun County local amendment page was found in the reviewed public sources.
- Owner-builder
- The county posts a Homeowners Affidavit, indicating a documented homeowner route for qualifying owner-builders.
- Contractor requirements
- Georgia state licensing rules apply. Residential contractors performing covered work over $2,500 must be appropriately licensed.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Rabun County and collect the county building permit packet and any applicable checklists from Planning and Zoning.
- 02 For new construction, obtain the Rabun County Health Department sewage permit if septic will be used, prepare a plat showing the proposed house location, and obtain a driveway permit if the site fronts a county road.
- 03 Install or plan required erosion controls and file a soil erosion and sedimentation plan with the county marshal or soil erosion officer if the project disturbs more than 1 acre.
- 04 Confirm DNR and FEMA constraints, including trout-stream buffers and floodplain rules, and obtain a 911 address from county mapping.
- 05 Submit the completed county packet and supporting documents to Rabun County Planning and Zoning, then coordinate inspections and any final closeout directly with the county.
§ 04
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- 706-782-1579 (phone)
Typical sequence: Coordinate directly with Rabun County Planning and Zoning
§ 05
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Rabun County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Rabun County, GA? ▸
The county's public building permit packet and new construction checklist require a building permit from Rabun County Planning and Zoning before new construction in unincorporated Rabun County.
02 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Rabun County, GA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Rabun County, GA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Rabun County and collect the county building permit packet and any applicable checklists from Planning and Zoning. 2. For new construction, obtain the Rabun County Health Department sewage permit if septic will be used, prepare a plat showing the proposed house location, and obtain a driveway permit if the site fronts a county road. 3. Install or plan required erosion controls and file a soil erosion and sedimentation plan with the county marshal or soil erosion officer if the project disturbs more than 1 acre. 4. Confirm DNR and FEMA constraints, including trout-stream buffers and floodplain rules, and obtain a 911 address from county mapping. 5. Submit the completed county packet and supporting documents to Rabun County Planning and Zoning, then coordinate inspections and any final closeout directly with the county.
03 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Rabun County, GA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Rabun County, GA via: 706-782-1579.
last verified April 2026
source Rabun County Planning and Zoning ↗
entry id permits/georgia/rabun/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Rabun County Planning and Zoning before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.