County Building Permits

Stewart County, GA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Stewart County, Georgia. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Georgia Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Applies in unincorporated Stewart County only. Georgia DCA's 2017 Stewart County Service Delivery Strategy states Stewart County provides code enforcement, planning, and zoning in the unincorporated area, while Lumpkin and Richland provide those services inside their city limits.

Department
Stewart County Building Inspections / Building Inspector
Address
1764 Broad St., Lumpkin, GA 31815
Phone
(229) 838-6769
Website
https://stewartcountyga.gov/?page_id=525

Online Permit Portal

Open County Website Forms

Platform: County website with downloadable PDF forms • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

  1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Stewart County and download the Building Permit Application and any required owner, contractor, or subcontractor affidavits from the county Forms and Documents page.
  2. Complete the permit application, identifying permit type, job site, scope of work, and contractor information for all trade work not performed by the owner.
  3. Assemble the supporting documents listed in the application for new buildings and additions, including scaled plans, energy-code calculations, recorded plat, septic permit or health-department waiver, soil-test results, tax receipt, state contractor licenses, signed affidavits, duct-blaster and blower-door reports, and Georgia Energy Compliance certificate as applicable.
  4. If applying as an owner-builder, submit the original notarized Owner Affidavit. If using contractors, submit original notarized contractor and trade affidavits.
  5. Submit the application package to Stewart County Building Inspections and wait for review and approval before beginning work.

Typical processing time: The county application says it may take up to 5 business days to review and approve a complete application.

Source: Stewart County Building Inspections / Building Inspector

General Requirements

The county application publishes permit categories for general building, electrical, low voltage, cell tower, renovation, mechanical, fuel gas, billboard/sign, addition/alteration, plumbing, pool, and demolition. The fee schedule also separately lists land-disturbance permits for excavating, clearing, paving, or grading. Contractor affidavits state a permit is required for plumbing work other than ordinary repair, with a 72-hour post-installation allowance for replacement units in emergency health and safety situations.

Required Documents

  • Application form
  • Contractor and subcontractor information
  • Scaled 11x17 plans
  • Energy-code rescheck calculations
  • Recorded plat
  • Septic permit or health-department waiver
  • Percolation and soil-test results
  • Current tax receipt
  • Copies of state-issued contractor licenses
  • Signed owner and contractor affidavits
  • Duct-blaster and blower-door reports where applicable
  • Georgia Energy Compliance certificate
Building code
Georgia's mandatory statewide minimum construction codes apply, including the 2024 IBC, 2024 IRC, 2024 IMC, 2024 IFGC, 2024 IPC, 2024 ISPSC, 2023 NEC, 2024 IFC, and 2015 IECC with Georgia amendments, effective January 1, 2026. The county's 2019 affidavit forms still reference the 2006 IRC/IBC language, but Georgia law requires local enforcement of the current state minimum code set.
Owner-builder
The Owner Affidavit allows an owner to apply without a licensed residential or general contractor only for a building intended solely for the owner and family, firm, or corporation and employees, not for the general public and not intended for sale or lease. The owner must directly supervise work, use licensed contractors where required, and may not get another owner-builder permit within 24 months after selling a building constructed under that affidavit unless licensed or using a licensed contractor.
Contractor requirements
The contractor affidavit requires an original notarized affidavit from the licensed contractor, state license information, business license information, and photo ID. Trade affidavits are required for applicable subcontractors. Georgia statewide contractor licensing rules apply.

Fees

Minimum permit fee
$80 for land disturbance, plumbing, electrical, and portable-building moves; other minimums vary by permit type
Plan check fee
Listed on the fee schedule as 'Plan Review $____.__'; no separate public formula or amount stated
Permit fee formula
Flat-plus-square-foot fees by permit type. Examples: commercial new construction and additions $225 plus $0.20 per square foot; residential building new construction, additions, and metal buildings $125 plus $0.12 per square foot; mobile homes $125 plus $0.12 per square foot; pole barn or open garage $80 plus $0.12 per square foot for walls or floor.
Reinspection fee
Additional inspections after the two inspections included with moved-building permits are $80 each.
Payment note
No public online building-permit payment portal or card-processing note found

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Stewart County Building Inspections / Building Inspector to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

  • Stewart County Building Inspections (phone)
  • info@stewartcountyga.gov (email)
Inspection hours
No public inspection hours or request windows found

Typical inspection sequence: The Owner Affidavit states inspections must be performed in an established sequence required by the jurisdiction. The public packet set does not publish the full sequence.

Additional Resources

Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Stewart County Building Inspections / Building Inspector before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Stewart County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Stewart County, GA?
The county application publishes permit categories for general building, electrical, low voltage, cell tower, renovation, mechanical, fuel gas, billboard/sign, addition/alteration, plumbing, pool, and demolition. The fee schedule also separately lists land-disturbance permits for excavating, clearing, paving, or grading. Contractor affidavits state a permit is required for plumbing work other than ordinary repair, with a 72-hour post-installation allowance for replacement units in emergency health and safety situations.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Stewart County, GA?
The minimum permit fee is $80 for land disturbance, plumbing, electrical, and portable-building moves; other minimums vary by permit type. Fees are calculated as: Flat-plus-square-foot fees by permit type. Examples: commercial new construction and additions $225 plus $0.20 per square foot; residential building new construction, additions, and metal buildings $125 plus $0.12 per square foot; mobile homes $125 plus $0.12 per square foot; pole barn or open garage $80 plus $0.12 per square foot for walls or floor.. Plan check fee: Listed on the fee schedule as 'Plan Review $____.__'; no separate public formula or amount stated.
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Stewart County, GA?
1. Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Stewart County and download the Building Permit Application and any required owner, contractor, or subcontractor affidavits from the county Forms and Documents page. 2. Complete the permit application, identifying permit type, job site, scope of work, and contractor information for all trade work not performed by the owner. 3. Assemble the supporting documents listed in the application for new buildings and additions, including scaled plans, energy-code calculations, recorded plat, septic permit or health-department waiver, soil-test results, tax receipt, state contractor licenses, signed affidavits, duct-blaster and blower-door reports, and Georgia Energy Compliance certificate as applicable. 4. If applying as an owner-builder, submit the original notarized Owner Affidavit. If using contractors, submit original notarized contractor and trade affidavits. 5. Submit the application package to Stewart County Building Inspections and wait for review and approval before beginning work.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Stewart County, GA?
Typical processing time is The county application says it may take up to 5 business days to review and approve a complete application..
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Stewart County, GA?
Inspections can be scheduled via: Stewart County Building Inspections, info@stewartcountyga.gov.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.
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