On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Orchard Hill
The county states it issues permits for new residential and new commercial structures, remodeling of existing residential and commercial structures, accessory structures that exceed 120 square feet in total floor area, electrical permits, plumbing permits, HVAC permits, and low voltage permits. The county fee schedule also covers decks, ramps, outdoor fireplaces, retaining walls, pools and spas, demolition, sprinkler systems, detached accessory buildings, stand-alone trade permits, renovations, new construction, and cell towers.
Residential and commercial accessory structures that do not exceed 120 square feet in total floor area
- Exempt Residential and commercial accessory structures that do not exceed 120 square feet in total floor area
Note: No broader public exempt-work list was found for Orchard Hill beyond the county's stated 120 square foot threshold for accessory structures.
Required documents
- Building construction plans
- Site plan
- Septic permit or sewer service account
- Well permit or water service account
- SCWA service contract and irrigation system affidavit for new services
- Driveway standards affidavit for new construction
- Site plan affidavit
- Homeowner affidavit
- Contractor state and business licenses
- Authorized permit agent form
- Subcontractor affidavit
- ES and PC plans
- State installer's license for manufactured homes
- Roof pitch certification for new manufactured homes
- Finished floor elevation certificate for structures in a flood plain
- Building code
- Georgia DCA state minimum construction codes apply statewide. The county's public Residential Inspection Checklist still lists 2018 IRC, 2018 IPC, 2020 NEC, and 2015 IECC as currently enforced in that handout, but statewide DCA minimum codes control with Georgia amendments.
- Owner-builder
- Homeowner affidavit is required if the owner of the property is pulling the permit, and the county checklist states the owner must live there.
- Contractor requirements
- County checklist requires current contractor state licensing and business licensing unless a qualified homeowner affidavit is used. Georgia residential contractor licensing rules apply for covered work over $2,500.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm that the property is in Orchard Hill and use Spalding County Community Development as the permitting authority, because the county's permit page states Orchard Hill permits are issued through the county office.
- 02 Gather the county checklist items, including building construction plans, site plan if applicable, septic or sewer documentation, well or water documentation, SCWA service contract and irrigation affidavit for new service, driveway standards affidavit for new construction, site plan affidavit where required, homeowner affidavit if the owner is pulling the permit and lives there, contractor state and business licenses, authorized permit agent form if needed, and subcontractor affidavit if trade permits are pulled by the builder.
- 03 Create an account and submit the application through the county City Tech Solutions portal, or coordinate directly with Community Development if an in-person filing path is needed.
- 04 County staff and Charles Abbott and Associates perform plan review and inspection coordination. The county notes that all required information should be submitted with the application.
- 05 Pay permit and any plan review fees.
- 06 Schedule inspections through the portal or by phone and complete the required inspection sequence through final.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Orchard Hill building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$25 administrative fee
02
Plan check fee
Not charged for single-family detached residential including accessory structures; 25% of calculated permit fee for single-family attached residential and multi-family; 50% of calculated permit fee for commercial, industrial, and institutional.
03
Permit fee formula
Mixed. Flat fees for many permit types, square-foot tier tables for minor renovations up to $74,999.99, and occupancy-group/building-type per-square-foot rate table calculations for new construction and larger renovations.
04
Reinspection fee
$50
05
Penalty (no permit)
Work started without permit charged at twice the calculated permit fee.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- City Tech Solutions Portal (portal)
- Community Development / Inspection Staff (phone)
Typical sequence: T-pole; under-slab plumbing; footing; foundation; slab prep; wall sheathing; moisture barrier; rough building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing; insulation; temp-to-perm or permanent electrical service; final.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about Orchard Hill permits
01 Do I need a building permit in Orchard Hill, GA? ▸
The county states it issues permits for new residential and new commercial structures, remodeling of existing residential and commercial structures, accessory structures that exceed 120 square feet in total floor area, electrical permits, plumbing permits, HVAC permits, and low voltage permits. The county fee schedule also covers decks, ramps, outdoor fireplaces, retaining walls, pools and spas, demolition, sprinkler systems, detached accessory buildings, stand-alone trade permits, renovations, new construction, and cell towers.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Orchard Hill, GA? ▸
Building permit fees in Orchard Hill, GA are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $25 administrative fee. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Flat fees for many permit types, square-foot tier tables for minor renovations up to $74,999.99, and occupancy-group/building-type per-square-foot rate table calculations for new construction and larger renovations.. Plan check fee: Not charged for single-family detached residential including accessory structures; 25% of calculated permit fee for single-family attached residential and multi-family; 50% of calculated permit fee for commercial, industrial, and institutional..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Orchard Hill, GA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Orchard Hill, GA, follow these steps: 1. Confirm that the property is in Orchard Hill and use Spalding County Community Development as the permitting authority, because the county's permit page states Orchard Hill permits are issued through the county office. 2. Gather the county checklist items, including building construction plans, site plan if applicable, septic or sewer documentation, well or water documentation, SCWA service contract and irrigation affidavit for new service, driveway standards affidavit for new construction, site plan affidavit where required, homeowner affidavit if the owner is pulling the permit and lives there, contractor state and business licenses, authorized permit agent form if needed, and subcontractor affidavit if trade permits are pulled by the builder. 3. Create an account and submit the application through the county City Tech Solutions portal, or coordinate directly with Community Development if an in-person filing path is needed. 4. County staff and Charles Abbott and Associates perform plan review and inspection coordination. The county notes that all required information should be submitted with the application. 5. Pay permit and any plan review fees. 6. Schedule inspections through the portal or by phone and complete the required inspection sequence through final.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Orchard Hill, GA? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Orchard Hill, GA. The following work is generally exempt: Residential and commercial accessory structures that do not exceed 120 square feet in total floor area. Note: No broader public exempt-work list was found for Orchard Hill beyond the county's stated 120 square foot threshold for accessory structures. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Orchard Hill, GA? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Orchard Hill, GA via: City Tech Solutions Portal, Community Development / Inspection Staff.
last verified April 2026
source Spalding County Community Development Office ↗
entry id permits/georgia/spalding/orchard-hill
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Spalding County Community Development Office before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.