Unincorporated Tift County

Public county materials show permitting and inspections for new homes, additions, accessory buildings, mobile homes, driveways, land disturbance, and other development activity administered by Community Development Services. A public county exempt-work list for ordinary building work was not located.

Note: No public exempt-work list for ordinary building permits was found in the reviewed county materials.

Building code

Tift County Unified Development Code Section 1.07.04 adopts by reference the ICC International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Fuel Gas Code, International Mechanical Code, International Plumbing Code, International Energy Conservation Code, International Fire Code, and the National Electrical Code, each with Georgia amendments, including future editions and amendments adopted by Georgia DCA.

Permit validity

No public county building-permit expiration rule was found in the reviewed materials. Land disturbance permits expire if work does not commence within 6 months, or if work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months after commencement.

Owner-builder

No public county owner-builder handout located in reviewed county materials. Georgia state owner-builder rule in O.C.G.A. 43-41-17(h) applies where a local permit is required.

Contractor requirements

County checklist states contractors need to be licensed. Mobile home checklist requires a state licensed installer and electrician. Work in Georgia remains subject to state contractor licensing requirements.

1. 01
   Confirm zoning and development constraints through Tift County Community Development Services and the Unified Development Code at https://www.tiftcounty.org/UDC%20-%20Complete%2006.18.24.pdf
2. 02
   Assemble the posted county checklist items that apply: owner authorization if needed, plat and/or deed, site plan with setbacks, construction details, contractor information, house plans, septic or utility approval, 911 address request, and driveway application
3. 03
   Submit materials to Tift County Community Development Services at 225 Tift Avenue, Building D, Tifton, GA 31794 or call (229) 386-7961
4. 04
   County staff reviews the application and supporting materials for compliance with the UDC and applicable codes; for land disturbance permits, permits must be issued or denied as soon as practicable and not later than 45 calendar days after receipt of a completed application
5. 05
   After issuance, schedule inspections by phone at least 24 hours in advance
6. 06
   Obtain the certificate of occupancy or completion before occupancy or use where required

Typical processing time: No public general building-permit turnaround found. Land disturbance permit review is capped at 45 calendar days in the UDC for completed applications.

Source: Tift County Community Development Services ↗

UDC states an application is not complete until all required fees are paid, and land disturbance fees must be paid before permit issuance.

• Call Tift County Community Development Services at (229) 386-7961 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

24 hours advance notice required per posted building checklist

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Typical sequence: Not publicly listed in a county inspection card or sequencing handout in the materials reviewed. Final certificate of occupancy or completion is required before occupancy or use where applicable.

Source: Tift County Community Development Services ↗