City of Waycross

Required for any new construction, remodeling, additions, repairs, alterations, foundations, swimming pools, house moving, demolition, mobile/manufactured homes, curb cuts/site work/paving, fire alarm systems, fire sprinkler systems, underground fire line piping, towers, and tents, whether residential or commercial.

Note: No public exempt-work list was found on the City of Waycross permit pages reviewed.

Building code

City FAQ states it is enforcing the International Building Code 2018, International Residential Code 2018, International Fire Code 2018, International Fuel Gas Code 2018, International Mechanical Code 2018, International Plumbing Code 2018, International Energy Conservation Code 2018, and National Electrical Code 2020. The March 2025 residential checklist lists the Georgia mandatory minimum codes as IBC 2018, IRC 2018, IFC 2018, IPC 2018, IMC 2018, IFGC 2018, NEC 2020, and IECC 2015, all with Georgia amendments/supplements where applicable. The checklist is the more current city-issued code sheet.

Permit validity

Permit becomes null and void if work is not commenced within 6 months, or if work is suspended or abandoned for a continuous period of 6 months after commencement. A new permit is required in those cases.

Owner-builder

Individuals acting as their own building contractor may buy their own building permit if they are the owner, are completing construction themselves, and will occupy the home upon completion. They may also buy electrical, mechanical, and plumbing sub-permits under the same restrictions.

Contractor requirements

The city posts a contractor licensing memo stating residential-basic, residential-light commercial, and general contractors must be licensed under O.C.G.A. 43-41. Georgia statewide licensing thresholds also apply, including the state rule for residential contractor licensure on work over $2,500.

1. 01
   Confirm the project requires a permit and gather the permit application, contractor information, and construction plans. The city states permits are required for new construction, remodeling, additions, repairs, alterations, foundations, pools, house moving, demolition, mobile/manufactured homes, curb cuts, fire alarm/sprinkler work, underground fire lines, towers, and tents.
2. 02
   Prepare construction plans. The city requires three complete sets of plans and lists site, building, mechanical, plumbing, fire protection, and electrical plan items in its building permit information sheet.
3. 03
   Submit the completed application and plan sets to the inspections department. One approved plan set must remain on the job site during inspections.
4. 04
   City staff and other reviewing departments conduct plan review. If issues arise, the contact person listed on the plans is notified and the plans remain on hold until resolved.
5. 05
   Pay the plan review fee and permit fees at issuance. The application states the application becomes part of the permit upon payment of all fees.

Typical processing time: Plan review goal is within 10 working days from the date plans are logged in; actual timing depends on completeness and accuracy and any required interdepartmental review.

Source: City of Waycross Department of Community Improvement ↗

The city fee sheet states plan review fee is due at permit issuance. No separate public online permit payment workflow was found.

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

• (912) 287-2944 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Inspections requested by phone are completed the next business day.

Typical sequence: The city FAQ and residential checklist indicate footing/foundation and under-slab inspections before concrete; rough-in inspections for framing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and gas before drywall; power release at about 80 percent completion; then final building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing inspections before certificate of occupancy.