Young Harris, GA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

City of Young Harris, including the portion of the city extending into Union County. Young Harris posts its own building permit forms, fee schedule, Planning Commission review routing, and certificate-of-occupancy form.

Department

City of Young Harris

Address

50 Irene Berry Drive, Young Harris, GA 30582

Phone

706-379-3171

Website

https://www.youngharrisga.net/resources/page/forms-permits-and-applications

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Download the applicable Young Harris residential or non-residential building permit application together with the Master Fee Schedule.
2. Complete the application, sign it as owner or authorized agent, and if the applicant is not the owner attach the required signed notarized owner authorization affidavit.
3. Attach the required submittals including the application fee, recorded plat, deed, scaled site drawings showing setbacks and building location, building plans or blueprints, and for non-residential projects any required parking, tree-protection, and buffer details.
4. Obtain any prerequisite approvals identified by the city forms, including land disturbance approval for non-single-family non-residential projects before the city can accept a building permit, plus any rezoning, special use permit, variance, flood-zone, utility, septic, attorney, or engineer review that applies.
5. File the package with the city for staff, Planning Commission, and City Council review as required. Applicants should confirm the current submittal deadline with City Hall before filing.
6. After approval and payment, obtain the permit, complete required inspections, and secure final certificate-of-occupancy signoff where applicable.

Source: City of Young Harris

General Requirements

Young Harris residential and non-residential forms cover new buildings, additions, alterations, repairs, relocations, demolition, foundations, manufactured homes, garages, porches, decks, sheds, storage buildings, interior finish work, and changes of use. The forms also flag separate sign, land-disturbance, rezoning, variance, flood-zone, and utility-related approvals where applicable.

Required Documents

• Application fee
• Recorded plat
• Recorded deed
• Site drawing to scale showing structure location, setbacks, heights, lot size, and parking if applicable
• Building plans or blueprints
• Tree-protection plan and buffer details for non-residential projects if applicable
• Owner authorization affidavit if applicant is not the owner (signed and notarized)

Building code

Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes administered by DCA apply statewide. Young Harris's certificate-of-occupancy form specifically states that inspection and issuance are made pursuant to the requirements of the International Building Code and the city's technical codes and other applicable laws.

Owner-builder

If the applicant is not the owner, the city requires a signed notarized affidavit from the property owner authorizing the application.

Contractor requirements

No separate public city contractor registration sheet was found in the reviewed sources. Georgia contractor licensing rules apply for work requiring licensed contractors.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$250.00 for non-residential renovation or addition permits; $500.00 for non-residential new construction permits. No separate public residential minimum was posted.

Plan check fee

Residential plan review $200.00; non-residential plan review $1,000.00

Permit fee formula

Square-foot formula. The city fee schedule generally lists $0.25 per heated square foot and $0.20 per unheated square foot for residential and non-residential building permits, with separate fee lines for manufactured homes, pools, trailers, shell-only permits, interior finish permits, permit transfers, and stand-alone inspections.

Reinspection fee

$100.00 for each additional trip

Penalty (no permit)

Work done without a permit is charged at 200% of the applicable permit fee or a $100 per day fine until the permit application is received, whichever is less.

Payment note

Young Harris forms state that all required fees must be paid when the application is submitted. No public self-service online building permit payment portal was found.

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the City of Young Harris to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• City Hall and the city building inspector at 706-379-3171 (phone)

Typical inspection sequence: The city's certificate-of-occupancy form lists slab, framing or structural, plumbing, electrical, gas, mechanical, and fire protection signoffs before final certification. The fee schedule also lists stand-alone inspections for electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fuel gas, manufactured homes, and fire protection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Georgia State Minimum Standard Codes administered by DCA apply statewide. Young Harris's certificate-of-occupancy form specifically states that inspection and issuance are made pursuant to the requirements of the International Building Code and the city's technical codes and other applicable laws.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Young Harris Code of Ordinances
• Young Harris Contact Us
• Georgia DCA Construction Codes
• License lookup guide: Georgia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Georgia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Georgia hub: Georgia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Young Harris Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Young Harris, GA?

Young Harris residential and non-residential forms cover new buildings, additions, alterations, repairs, relocations, demolition, foundations, manufactured homes, garages, porches, decks, sheds, storage buildings, interior finish work, and changes of use. The forms also flag separate sign, land-disturbance, rezoning, variance, flood-zone, and utility-related approvals where applicable.

How much does a building permit cost in Young Harris, GA?

The minimum permit fee is $250.00 for non-residential renovation or addition permits; $500.00 for non-residential new construction permits. No separate public residential minimum was posted.. Fees are calculated as: Square-foot formula. The city fee schedule generally lists $0.25 per heated square foot and $0.20 per unheated square foot for residential and non-residential building permits, with separate fee lines for manufactured homes, pools, trailers, shell-only permits, interior finish permits, permit transfers, and stand-alone inspections.. Plan check fee: Residential plan review $200.00; non-residential plan review $1,000.00.

How do I apply for a building permit in Young Harris, GA?

1. Download the applicable Young Harris residential or non-residential building permit application together with the Master Fee Schedule. 2. Complete the application, sign it as owner or authorized agent, and if the applicant is not the owner attach the required signed notarized owner authorization affidavit. 3. Attach the required submittals including the application fee, recorded plat, deed, scaled site drawings showing setbacks and building location, building plans or blueprints, and for non-residential projects any required parking, tree-protection, and buffer details. 4. Obtain any prerequisite approvals identified by the city forms, including land disturbance approval for non-single-family non-residential projects before the city can accept a building permit, plus any rezoning, special use permit, variance, flood-zone, utility, septic, attorney, or engineer review that applies. 5. File the package with the city for staff, Planning Commission, and City Council review as required. Applicants should confirm the current submittal deadline with City Hall before filing. 6. After approval and payment, obtain the permit, complete required inspections, and secure final certificate-of-occupancy signoff where applicable.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Young Harris, GA?

Inspections can be scheduled via: City Hall and the city building inspector at 706-379-3171.

Other cities in Union County