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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Thomas County
Construction requiring county review and permit issuance; no separate public exempt-work list was found on the county site.
Note: No public exempt-work list was found in the reviewed Thomas County building-permit sources.
Required documents
- Approved land use compliance form
- Approved septic/well permits
- Site plan
- Elevations
- Floor plan
- Foundation drawings
- Electrical plan
- Mechanical plan
- Insulation description
- Lumber specifications
- Door and window schedule
- Stair diagram
- Smoke detector locations
- Wall sections
- Required vent and foundation calculations
- Finish schedule
- Attic access details
- For commercial work: soil erosion, parking, driveway, landscaping/buffer, sign, fire marshal, and public works approvals
- Building code
- Thomas County Code section 18-86 adopts the 2018 IBC, IRC, IFC, IPC, IMC, IFGC, and ISPSC with Georgia amendments, the 2009 IECC with Georgia amendments, and the 2017 NEC.
- Owner-builder
- The county states the permit may be issued to the homeowner.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractor must be licensed by the State of Georgia and registered with Thomas County. Georgia residential contractors performing work over $2,500 must be licensed by the Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: About 5 to 7 days for plan review when the submittal is complete.
- 01 Obtain a land use compliance form from Thomas County Building Inspections.
- 02 Take the compliance form to the county 911 addressing office for address assignment and to the Thomas County Health Department for well/septic approvals.
- 03 Submit plans and supporting documents to Thomas County Inspections and Planning. Residential submittals must include required construction details; commercial submittals require additional approvals for soil erosion, parking, driveway, landscaping/buffer, sign, fire marshal, and public works.
- 04 Wait for county plan review. County states plan review takes about 5 to 7 days when the submittal is complete.
- 05 After approval, the county issues the building permit to the state licensed contractor or homeowner and collects fees at issuance.
Typical processing time: About 5 to 7 days for plan review when the submittal is complete.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Thomas County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Plan check fee
Emailed PDF plans printed by the office incur an additional fee.
County states all fees are collected when the building permit is issued.
§ 05
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Thomas County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Thomas County, GA? ▸
Construction requiring county review and permit issuance; no separate public exempt-work list was found on the county site.
02 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Thomas County, GA? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Thomas County, GA, follow these steps: 1. Obtain a land use compliance form from Thomas County Building Inspections. 2. Take the compliance form to the county 911 addressing office for address assignment and to the Thomas County Health Department for well/septic approvals. 3. Submit plans and supporting documents to Thomas County Inspections and Planning. Residential submittals must include required construction details; commercial submittals require additional approvals for soil erosion, parking, driveway, landscaping/buffer, sign, fire marshal, and public works. 4. Wait for county plan review. County states plan review takes about 5 to 7 days when the submittal is complete. 5. After approval, the county issues the building permit to the state licensed contractor or homeowner and collects fees at issuance.
03 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Thomas County, GA? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Thomas County, GA typically run About 5 to 7 days for plan review when the submittal is complete.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
last verified April 2026
source Thomas County Inspections and Planning ↗
entry id permits/georgia/thomas/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Thomas County Inspections and Planning before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.