Ware County, GA - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Public county materials indicate the department handles construction permitting, inspections, septic-system coordination, mobile home moving permits, and addressing outside the city limits of Waycross. This section covers unincorporated Ware County only.

Department

Ware County Planning and Codes Department

Address

305 Oak Street, Suite 157, Waycross, GA 31501

Phone

(912) 287-4379

Email

dminchew@warecountyga.gov , dhanson@warecountyga.gov

Website

https://www.warecountyga.gov/department-nodes/planning-codes

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Apply for septic tank approval first when the project will use septic. The county procedure sheet lists $60 for an existing tank inspection and $110 for a new septic tank permit, and notes the process can take up to 3 business days. Applicants must also apply for a driveway/culvert pipe if the street is not paved.
2. Complete the building permit form and site plan form. The site plan must show existing structures, driveway location, and side, front, and rear setbacks.
3. Submit building plans with the completed forms. The county says new building plans must include electrical, plumbing, HVAC, door-size, and window-size information.
4. Wait for building inspector review. The county procedure sheet states building-plan review can take up to 10 business days.
5. After septic approval is complete, the contractor or homeowner obtains the building permit and associated trade permits. The county states permit cost is based on house value for the building permit, number of fixtures for plumbing, job cost for mechanical, and square footage for electrical.

Typical processing time: Septic review may take up to 3 business days; building-plan review may take up to 10 business days.

Source: Ware County Planning and Codes Department

General Requirements

The county Planning and Codes page states staff assist with permitting needs including construction, septic systems, and mobile home moving permits. Public forms are posted for residential and commercial building permits, demolition, electrical permits, house moving, septic, and manufactured-home related approvals.

Required Documents

• Building permit form
• Site plan form
• Building plans
• Electrical/plumbing/HVAC plans for new buildings
• Septic approval when applicable
• Utility account follow-up by applicant
• Additional manufactured-home documentation when applicable, including preinspection for homes over 2 years old and installer/mover state license fax for manufactured homes

Building code

No county page reviewed published a standalone local code-adoption summary. Ware County, like all Georgia jurisdictions, must enforce Georgia's statewide minimum standard construction codes under DCA administration, along with county zoning and setback rules shown on county forms and site-plan materials.

Owner-builder

County building-permit procedure says the contractor or homeowner shall obtain the building permit. No separate public owner-builder affidavit or occupancy limitation was found in the county documents reviewed.

Contractor requirements

County mobile-home checklist says all work must be done by licensed contractors and requires a licensed installer/mover to fax its state license before other permits are issued. Georgia statewide contractor licensing rules apply for residential construction work over $2,500.

Fees

Permit fee formula

County procedure says permit cost is based on house/building value for the building permit, number of fixtures for plumbing, job cost for mechanical, and square feet for electrical.

Reinspection fee

Manufactured-home checklist states failure to apply for permits before moving the home results in fees doubling. No general county reinspection fee sheet was found.

Payment note

The residential permit form states the county accepts exact cash, check, money order, debit card, and credit card.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Ware County Planning and Codes Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (912) 287-4379 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Inspections called in between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. are done between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. the same business day. Inspections called in between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. are done between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. the next business day. Planning and Codes office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with phone availability to 5:00 p.m.

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (phone to 5:00 PM)

Typical inspection sequence: County procedure references inspections on the building permit card and requires all listed inspections to be called in. For manufactured homes, the posted checklist requires preinspection when applicable, then electrical and plumbing inspections after setup, followed by mechanical inspection after power is connected, and certificate of occupancy before move-in.

Inspector will not complete inspections if the building permit card is not visible.

Additional Resources

• Building code: No county page reviewed published a standalone local code-adoption summary. Ware County, like all Georgia jurisdictions, must enforce Georgia's statewide minimum standard construction codes under DCA administration, along with county zoning and setback rules shown on county forms and site-plan materials.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Code of Ordinances
• Zoning Map
• Property Map
• Mobile Home Checklist
• License lookup guide: Georgia Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Georgia Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Georgia hub: Georgia Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Ware County Building Permit FAQ

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

The county Planning and Codes page states staff assist with permitting needs including construction, septic systems, and mobile home moving permits. Public forms are posted for residential and commercial building permits, demolition, electrical permits, house moving, septic, and manufactured-home related approvals.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Ware County, GA?

Fees are calculated as: County procedure says permit cost is based on house/building value for the building permit, number of fixtures for plumbing, job cost for mechanical, and square feet for electrical..

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

1. Apply for septic tank approval first when the project will use septic. The county procedure sheet lists $60 for an existing tank inspection and $110 for a new septic tank permit, and notes the process can take up to 3 business days. Applicants must also apply for a driveway/culvert pipe if the street is not paved. 2. Complete the building permit form and site plan form. The site plan must show existing structures, driveway location, and side, front, and rear setbacks. 3. Submit building plans with the completed forms. The county says new building plans must include electrical, plumbing, HVAC, door-size, and window-size information. 4. Wait for building inspector review. The county procedure sheet states building-plan review can take up to 10 business days. 5. After septic approval is complete, the contractor or homeowner obtains the building permit and associated trade permits. The county states permit cost is based on house value for the building permit, number of fixtures for plumbing, job cost for mechanical, and square footage for electrical.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Ware County, GA?

Typical processing time is Septic review may take up to 3 business days; building-plan review may take up to 10 business days..

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: (912) 287-4379. Inspections called in between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. are done between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. the same business day. Inspections called in between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. are done between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. the next business day. Planning and Codes office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with phone availability to 5:00 p.m..