On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Augusta-Richmond County
A permit is required if project material cost exceeds $500, if the work type requires inspection under adopted construction codes, or for projects including new construction, renovations, additions, reroofing, signs, swimming pools, and utility or storage buildings. All electrical, plumbing, gas, and mechanical projects exceeding $500 require permits.
One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds not exceeding 120 square feet (setbacks and easements still apply)
Minor repairs to electrical, plumbing, gas, and mechanical systems if determined minor by the Building Official
- Exempt One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds not exceeding 120 square feet (setbacks and easements still apply)
- Exempt Minor repairs to electrical, plumbing, gas, and mechanical systems if determined minor by the Building Official
Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Planning and Development Department before proceeding.
Required documents
- Completed permit application
- Construction plans and site or plot plan
- REScheck (residential) or COMcheck (commercial)
- Water and sewer tap receipts
- Septic approval (if applicable)
- Termite memorandum
- Compacted fill form (if applicable)
- Homeowner waiver (if applicable)
- Health or agriculture approval (if applicable)
- Retaining wall engineer plans (if applicable)
- Special inspections report (if applicable)
- Asbestos report for demolition (if applicable)
- Building code
- Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes for Construction, including 2024 IBC, IRC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, ISPSC, IECC and related Georgia amendments, plus 2023 NEC with 2026 Georgia amendments (effective January 1, 2026).
- Permit validity
- Permits are good for six months with one extension. A permit becomes null and void if authorized work is not commenced within six months of issuance or if no required inspection occurs within six months after issuance.
- Owner-builder
- Single-family permits may be issued to the homeowner only if the owner will own and occupy the house as the primary residence. Owner must have a valid driver's license matching the address and cannot pay anyone to do the work. Rental property is considered commercial and requires a state-licensed contractor.
- Contractor requirements
- No permit (except for qualifying homeowners) will be issued to anyone other than a properly licensed contractor under Georgia law and Augusta-Richmond County ordinances. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical trades require Georgia state licenses or certificates of competency. Residential contractors performing work over $2,500 are subject to Georgia State Licensing Board requirements.
Source: Augusta-Richmond County Planning and Development Department ↗
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: Confirmation email within one business day of submission; general permit issuance turnaround not publicly specified.
- 01 Confirm permit type and project requirements using Augusta's Building Permits and Permit Requirements pages. The city separates residential and commercial permit packets.
- 02 Prepare the application package with completed permit application, construction plans, site or plot plan, REScheck or COMcheck, utility tap receipts, septic approval (if applicable), and other project-specific documents.
- 03 Submit the application in person, by email to permitting@augustaga.gov, or online through the CityView Portal. Augusta sends email confirmation within one business day of receipt.
- 04 If plan review comments or corrections are issued, submit corrections before permit issuance.
- 05 Once approved, pay fees in office, by mail (check), or online through CityView. Augusta accepts checks, cash, and card payments (except American Express).
- 06 Deliver required hard-copy construction plans to the appropriate office: commercial drawings to 535 Telfair Street, Suite 300; residential one- and two-family drawings to 1803 Marvin Griffin Road.
- 07 Post the permit card at the job site, request inspections, complete all required inspections, and obtain certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion.
Typical processing time: Confirmation email within one business day of submission; general permit issuance turnaround not publicly specified.
Source: Augusta-Richmond County Planning and Development Department ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Effective June 9, 2025
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$72 to $125 depending on permit type
02
Plan check fee
$90.00 per 1,000 square feet for new construction and additions. Flat charges for incidental alteration, minor alteration, major alteration, upfit, retaining wall, and solar review.
03
Permit fee formula
Residential new construction: $0.24 per square foot under roof. Commercial new construction: 2018 ICC construction cost table x 0.0062. Mixed flat-plus-square-foot formulas for additions and alterations. Some permit types are flat fee.
04
Trade permit fee
$72 flat fees for residential trades; $100 flat fees for many commercial trades
05
Reinspection fee
$50 residential reinspection; $50 commercial reinspection. $120 plan revision fee from third submission forward.
06
Penalty (no permit)
$500 non-compliance fee for residential; commercial non-compliance is $500 or double the permit fee (whichever is greater).
Approved permits can be paid in office, by mailed check, or online through CityView. Augusta accepts checks, cash, and card payments except American Express. Expedited plan review is $1,000 plus permit fees.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective June 9, 2025) before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Inspection Request Form (online)
- pddtechs@augustaga.gov (email)
- 706-312-5050 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Requests received by 4:00 p.m. are scheduled for the next business day; requests after 4:00 p.m. are scheduled for the second business day. Allow 24 hours prior notice.
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Time windows
- Not separately specified; allow 24 hours for inspection scheduling.
Typical sequence: Typical sequence: foundation or footing work (as applicable), framing and trade rough inspections, specialty inspections such as pool or retaining wall (where applicable), final trade inspections, then certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion. Sequence inferred from permit forms and inspection requirements.
Not specified in publicly available materials.
Source: Augusta-Richmond County Planning and Development Department ↗
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Augusta-Richmond County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Augusta-Richmond County, GA? ▸
A permit is required if project material cost exceeds $500, if the work type requires inspection under adopted construction codes, or for projects including new construction, renovations, additions, reroofing, signs, swimming pools, and utility or storage buildings. All electrical, plumbing, gas, and mechanical projects exceeding $500 require permits.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Augusta-Richmond County, GA? ▸
Building permit fees in Augusta-Richmond County, GA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $72 to $125 depending on permit type. Fees are calculated as: Residential new construction: $0.24 per square foot under roof. Commercial new construction: 2018 ICC construction cost table x 0.0062. Mixed flat-plus-square-foot formulas for additions and alterations. Some permit types are flat fee.. Plan check fee: $90.00 per 1,000 square feet for new construction and additions. Flat charges for incidental alteration, minor alteration, major alteration, upfit, retaining wall, and solar review..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Augusta-Richmond County, GA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Augusta-Richmond County, GA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm permit type and project requirements using Augusta's Building Permits and Permit Requirements pages. The city separates residential and commercial permit packets. 2. Prepare the application package with completed permit application, construction plans, site or plot plan, REScheck or COMcheck, utility tap receipts, septic approval (if applicable), and other project-specific documents. 3. Submit the application in person, by email to permitting@augustaga.gov, or online through the CityView Portal. Augusta sends email confirmation within one business day of receipt. 4. If plan review comments or corrections are issued, submit corrections before permit issuance. 5. Once approved, pay fees in office, by mail (check), or online through CityView. Augusta accepts checks, cash, and card payments (except American Express). 6. Deliver required hard-copy construction plans to the appropriate office: commercial drawings to 535 Telfair Street, Suite 300; residential one- and two-family drawings to 1803 Marvin Griffin Road. 7. Post the permit card at the job site, request inspections, complete all required inspections, and obtain certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Augusta-Richmond County, GA? ▸
Building permit processing times in Augusta-Richmond County, GA typically run Confirmation email within one business day of submission; general permit issuance turnaround not publicly specified.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in Augusta-Richmond County, GA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Augusta-Richmond County, GA. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds not exceeding 120 square feet (setbacks and easements still apply); Minor repairs to electrical, plumbing, gas, and mechanical systems if determined minor by the Building Official. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Planning and Development Department before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Augusta-Richmond County, GA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Augusta-Richmond County, GA via: Inspection Request Form, pddtechs@augustaga.gov, 706-312-5050. Requests received by 4:00 p.m. are scheduled for the next business day; requests after 4:00 p.m. are scheduled for the second business day. Allow 24 hours prior notice..
last verified April 2026
source Augusta-Richmond County Planning and Development Department ↗
entry id permits/georgia/richmond/augusta
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Augusta-Richmond County Planning and Development Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.