Unincorporated Union County

Union County requires permits for projects that are dwellings, accessory structures over 150 square feet, alter the existing footprint of a structure, require water, sewer, or electric connection, are in a designated stream buffer or flood hazard area, require tree removal in a designated mountain protection area, or require any land disturbance. Examples include commercial and residential buildings, mobile homes, RVs or tiny homes used as residences, garages and barns, renovations or finishing work, decks and porches, additions, used manufactured-home evaluations, and upgrades or modifications to electrical, HVAC, plumbing, gas, or structural components.

• Exempt Roofing material changes
• Exempt Exterior siding changes
• Exempt Replacement of floor covering
• Exempt Painting and wallpapering
• Exempt Sidewalks and driveways
• Exempt Fences

Building code

Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes administered by DCA apply statewide. No county page listing a separate local code-adoption ordinance or code-edition table was found.

Permit validity

Building permits are valid for one year from the date of issue, after which renewal or a new permit is required.

Owner-builder

The county states that permitting is the responsibility of the owner. No separate public owner-builder affidavit or rule sheet was found in the reviewed county sources.

Contractor requirements

County materials require a licensed builder or subcontractor affidavit and provide a contractor registration form. Georgia contractor licensing rules also apply, including the statewide residential contractor licensing rule for covered work over $2,500.

Source: Union County Building & Development ↗

1. 01
   Confirm the project is in unincorporated Union County and determine whether it meets any county permit trigger, including dwellings, accessory structures over 150 square feet, footprint changes, utility connections, flood hazard or stream buffer work, mountain protection tree removal, or any land disturbance.
2. 02
   Assemble the county submittal package, including basic property and project information, licensed builder or subcontractor affidavit, recorded plat with setbacks and water features, recorded deed, floor plan and work description, and any project-specific items such as culvert permit, DOT driveway permit, elevation certificate, engineered plans, septic permit, GA EPD notice of intent, or approved erosion and sediment plan.
3. 03
   If the project is commercial, pay the initial commercial plan review fee at first submission and pay any revision fee when revised plans are submitted.
4. 04
   Submit the package to Union County Building & Development by email, fax, or direct office contact before grading or starting the project.
5. 05
   After review and permit issuance, complete required inspections during construction and renew or replace the permit if it passes the one-year validity period.

Source: Union County Building & Development ↗

Commercial plan review and revision fees must be paid in cash or check at submission; county also accepts submission by email or fax

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

• 706-439-6045 (phone)
• ucpermit@uniongov.com (email)
• Direct office contact (fax)

Inspection hours

Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, closed for lunch from noon to 12:30 pm daily

Typical sequence: County states permits and inspections are required before grading or the start of a project; no more detailed public inspection sequence was found

Source: Union County Building & Development ↗