Turner County, GA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

County authority providing services to Turner County Residents, including issuing building permits, administering zoning ordinances, processing zoning and rezoning applications, and inspecting buildings for current-code compliance

Department

Turner County Building & Zoning Office

Address

208 E College Ave, Ashburn, GA 31714

Phone

(229) 567-4313

Email

turnerzoning@windstream.net

Website

https://turnercountygeorgia.com/departments/zoning.html

Application Process

1. Obtain permit forms from the Zoning Administrator / Building & Zoning Office
2. Submit the building-permit application. For all applications except single-family residential, duplexes, and agricultural buildings not intended for human occupancy and their accessory uses, submit two site plans drawn to scale
3. Include required site-plan information as applicable: lot dimensions and building location, dwelling-unit count, setbacks, easements, topography, drainage plans, ingress/egress, and water and sewer information. Single-family, duplex, and agricultural accessory site plans do not have to be drawn to scale but must be dimensionally accurate
4. Submit a lot-of-record certificate with the application. If the property has flood hazard potential, provide technical information required by Turner County flood-hazard management rules
5. The Zoning Administrator reviews the application for ordinance compliance and issues the permit if compliant
6. After construction and payment of applicable fees, the Zoning Administrator issues a Certificate of Occupancy if the use and completed building conform to the ordinance and approved plans

Source: Turner County Building & Zoning Office

General Requirements

A building permit is required in advance of construction, erection, moving, demolition, or alteration of any building or structure; sign work requires a sign permit unless specifically exempt under the sign ordinance

Required Documents

• Permit application
• Site plan
• Scaled site plans for most non-single-family projects
• Lot-of-record certificate
• Flood-hazard technical information where applicable
• Additional information requested by the Zoning Administrator

Permit validity

Permit becomes void if work does not begin within 6 months of issuance or if work is suspended or abandoned for 6 months after commencement. Written extensions of up to 6 months each may be granted

Building code

Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs; Turner County inspects buildings to ensure they meet current code

Owner-builder

Georgia state owner-builder rule in O.C.G.A. 43-41-17(h) applies where a local permit is required

Contractor requirements

Georgia requires state licensure for residential and general contractors when performing covered work for compensation above the statutory threshold

Fees

Penalty (no permit)

Ordinance violations can be prosecuted in Magistrate Court with penalties up to $500 per offense day, up to 60 days imprisonment, or both

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Traffic signs
• Legally required postings
• Warning and no-trespassing signs
• Governmental signs
• Certain transportation signs
• On-site real-estate signs up to 10 square feet
• Certain other temporary or small private signs

Important: Sign categories listed that do not require a sign permit. No public general building-permit exemption list was found

Inspections

How to Schedule

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Typical inspection sequence: Public sources confirm the office inspects buildings for current-code compliance and later issues a Certificate of Occupancy after final compliance; no detailed staged inspection list was found

Additional Resources

• Building code: Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs; Turner County inspects buildings to ensure they meet current code
• Verify contractor license: Georgia Secretary of State - Residential and General Contractors Board
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• License lookup guide: Georgia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Georgia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Georgia hub: Georgia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Turner County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Turner County, GA?

A building permit is required in advance of construction, erection, moving, demolition, or alteration of any building or structure; sign work requires a sign permit unless specifically exempt under the sign ordinance

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Turner County, GA?

1. Obtain permit forms from the Zoning Administrator / Building & Zoning Office 2. Submit the building-permit application. For all applications except single-family residential, duplexes, and agricultural buildings not intended for human occupancy and their accessory uses, submit two site plans drawn to scale 3. Include required site-plan information as applicable: lot dimensions and building location, dwelling-unit count, setbacks, easements, topography, drainage plans, ingress/egress, and water and sewer information. Single-family, duplex, and agricultural accessory site plans do not have to be drawn to scale but must be dimensionally accurate 4. Submit a lot-of-record certificate with the application. If the property has flood hazard potential, provide technical information required by Turner County flood-hazard management rules 5. The Zoning Administrator reviews the application for ordinance compliance and issues the permit if compliant 6. After construction and payment of applicable fees, the Zoning Administrator issues a Certificate of Occupancy if the use and completed building conform to the ordinance and approved plans

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Turner County, GA?

The following work is generally exempt: Traffic signs; Legally required postings; Warning and no-trespassing signs; Governmental signs; Certain transportation signs; On-site real-estate signs up to 10 square feet; Certain other temporary or small private signs. Note: Sign categories listed that do not require a sign permit. No public general building-permit exemption list was found

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Turner County, GA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: .